At the end of the 1990’s, the Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities on the campus of California State University, Fresno, conceived the idea of starting a charter high school on campus and received grants to do so. The Dean appointed Dr. Wendy Costa to write the charter, and Dr. Vida Samiian oversaw the project. The intent was “to create a school that articulated a vision for education in the 21 st Century that would be based upon the latest educational research, implement best practices in instruction, and serve as a model of educational innovation.”

With the support of Fresno State’s President, the Dean began the process of creating the school. He called on many different educational leaders in the community to assist him. This collaboration included University administrators, professors, master teachers from local high schools, and community members from throughout Central California. The result of this collaboration was the UHS Charter and its unique curriculum and organization, which includes a clear vision and mission. The school would be a liberal- arts college prep program that included music in its curriculum.

University High School opening in the Fall of the 2000-2001 school year as an independent, direct-funded charter high school, unaffiliated with any larger organization or management group, and governed by it own school board. The school was initially chartered by Sierra Unified School District and remained under Sierra Unified until chartering with Fresno Unified in 2007, as required by new charter law. UHS began using classrooms leased by Fresno State, and as it expanded, used additional portable facilities. In August of 2009, after years of delay, the new 22 room permanent facility began construction. The permanent facility includes 22 classrooms with three music rooms, four science labs, computer lab, and a weight room. On November 17, 2010, the school closed for a day so everyone could move from the old facility to the new one. On November 18, 2010, University High School held its first day of classes in the new facility, and on November 30, 2010, in an official Dedication Ceremony, the school dedicated the building to the former Dean, Dr. Luis Costa, and the Fresno State President at the time, Dr. John Welty, the two men significantly responsible for our school’s existence.

The vision and mission of University High School have not changed much over the years because they adequately express exactly what the school aims to achieve. The vision speaks to what University High School tries to accomplish and the mission speaks to the path the school has chosen to achieve the vision. For the past 20+ years, University High School has grown into the crown jewel of education in the Central Valley, winning many awards for its academic achievement.

University High School will be a 9-12th grade Liberal Arts high school on the campus of California State University Fresno where ALL students will experience an accelerated college preparatory program with two years of Latin and the full inclusion of music theory and performance.

The school culture will be caring, supportive of learning, promote understanding and encourage students to foster personal development. Students will feel confident to express themselves as they mature into young adults.

The school will address the academic, personal, and social development of the students while providing a solid academic foundation for a college career, with the goal that all graduates are prepared to enter the adult world where they will be ready to pursue any goal to which they aspire. In short, UHS will continually work to create for its student's nothing less than the best high school experience possible.