San Francisco University High School: A History of Academic Excellence and Innovation
San Francisco University High School (UHS), a private college preparatory high school, stands as a beacon of academic excellence and innovation in the heart of San Francisco, California. Established in 1973, UHS is a co-educational, independent secondary school that caters to students in grades nine through twelve. The school's mission is to welcome students with demonstrated motivation and ability, fostering a spirited pursuit of knowledge and responsibility. UHS prides itself on being a community where adults believe in the promise of every student, working together to build and sustain a diverse environment of backgrounds, perspectives, and talents.
Campus Overview: A Blend of History and Modernity
The UHS campus is divided into distinct areas, each designed to cater to specific academic and extracurricular needs:
- Upper Campus: This is the oldest and most historic part of the school, originally built in 1917 to house the Katherine Delmar Burke School, a girls' school that occupied the building until 1975. Designed by Julia Morgan, it now houses the History and English Departments, College Counseling offices, and administrative offices.
- Middle Campus: Connected to Upper Campus by a bridge, Middle Campus serves as a hub for various activities. It features the school library, a 400-seat theater, the student center and cafeteria, state-of-the-art science labs, music rooms (including an electronic music recording room), and the Summerbridge program. The Summerbridge program is UHS's initiative to support talented students from local public middle schools by providing them with resources they might lack in their current educational environment.
- Lower Campus: This area is primarily dedicated to the Math and Science Departments. It also houses the fitness center, changing rooms, gym, and athletic offices. Indoor sports are played in the gym, while field sports are mainly played at the nearby Paul Goode Field athletic complex.
- South Campus: Opened in the 2006-2007 school year, South Campus is home to the Foreign Language Department and the Art Department. It features a language lab, a large photography studio and darkroom, and art studios.
The Loma Prieta Earthquake: A Test of Resilience
The 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake caused significant damage to the Bay Area region, impacting several parts of the UHS campus, particularly the Upper Campus. The building sustained moderate damage to its windows and experienced a roof collapse. This event underscored the importance of structural integrity and preparedness in the face of natural disasters.
Academics and Faculty: A Commitment to Excellence
San Francisco University High School is committed to providing a rigorous college preparatory education. The school offers 12 AP courses, with a significant number of students achieving high scores on AP exams. In recent years, 63 students scored 4 and 5 in AP exams. The faculty at UHS are highly qualified. 81% of faculties’ degrees are master and above.
Location: A San Francisco Landmark
San Francisco University High School is located in the heart of San Francisco, a global hub for commerce, finance, and culture in Northern California. The school's location provides students with access to a wide range of cultural and educational opportunities.
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University of San Francisco: A Historical Overview
While not directly affiliated with San Francisco University High School, the University of San Francisco (USF) shares a similar name and a rich history in the city. Founded by the Jesuits in 1855 as St. Ignatius Academy, USF has grown into a prominent private Jesuit university with nearly 9,000 students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in 59 major programs.
- Early Years: USF started as a one-room schoolhouse along Market Street, founded by Anthony Maraschi. In 1859, St. Ignatius Academy received its charter to issue college degrees from the State of California and changed its name to St. Ignatius College.
- Relocation and Expansion: The college moved to a new building in 1862. The third St. Ignatius College was damaged in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and subsequently destroyed in the fire. The campus moved to Hayes and Shrader streets and then to its present site on Fulton Street in 1927, on the site of the former Masonic Cemetery.
- Name Change and Co-education: In 1930, St. Ignatius College changed its name to the University of San Francisco. Originally a male-only school, USF became fully coeducational in 1964.
- Academic Profile: In 2025, USF accepted 50.1% of undergraduate applicants. The university does not require submission of standardized test scores, as USF is a test-optional school.
- Global Education: USF's Center for Global Education advises students on international programs, providing opportunities for study abroad.
- Downtown Campus: USF established a Downtown San Francisco Campus in the Folger Coffee Company Building at 101 Howard Street in 2012.
- Governance: USF is governed by a privately appointed board of trustees, along with the university president, chancellor, provost and vice presidents, and deans.
- Student Life: The San Francisco Foghorn is the official student weekly newspaper. USFtv, founded in 2006, is a student-run television station that broadcasts news, sports, and cultural programming on campus.
- Diversity and Inclusion: Notable students marked the early years of student diversity at USF. Chan Chung Wing was in the first law class at then-St. Ignatius College of Law. In 1929, the Filipino Ignatians was founded. In 1930, Isaiah Fletcher was a starting tackle on the football team. International students made up 15.5% of the student body in the fall of 2017.
Athletics at USF: A Legacy of Champions
USF competes in NCAA Division I and is a charter member of the West Coast Conference. The university offers a variety of sports, including basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, track and field, baseball, and volleyball.
- Football Glory: The 1951 USF Dons football team, coached by Joe Kuharich, went undefeated with a record of 9-0 and produced nine future NFL players. However, due to the team having two African-American star players, Ollie Matson and Burl Toler, they were not invited to play in any of the college football bowl games hosted by the SEC (Southeastern Conference).
- Basketball Dominance: The men's basketball program won three national championships: the 1949 NIT Championship and the 1955 and 1956 NCAA National Championships. Led by NBA Hall of Famers Bill Russell and K.C. Jones, the 1956 Dons became the first undefeated team to win a national championship.
- Soccer Success: The soccer program began at USF in 1931 and has won multiple national championships.
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