UPA is a fantastic place for teachers and students alike.
UPA students receive:
- Free admission to the Urban Arts after school program
- Rigorous, standards-based curriculum
- Classes in a Block schedule
- A college preparatory atmosphere
- Integrated art projects
- Extra math and English classes
- Small class sizes (less than 25 students on average)
- High-interest curriculum through expeditionary learning
- Caring teachers
- A safe place to learn
- Language and academic support
UPA provides teachers with:
- Weekly professional development through arts integration and expeditionary learning.
- Training in expeditionary learning
- Weekly collaboration time
- Ample Leadership opportunities within the school
- Coaching on using data to improve instructional practice
Direction and Goals: For six years, UPA has worked to provide students with the skills needed to excel in high school. After the inaugural College for All program was implemented last spring, UPA is now focusing on programs that support students in building the skills and attitudes that will equip them to graduate from high school, and to enroll in the college of their choice. All programs and initiatives and all faculty, parents, staff, and consultants are directed toward this goal. UPA’s philosophy is based in the assumption that all students, regardless of background and economic status, should have equitable access to a high-quality education, ensuring their college-readiness and commitment.
Biggest Success and Toughest Challenge: UPA has a demonstrated track record of success. The school has been recognized as one of Oakland’s most improved schools in the California Standards Tests. Additionally, UPA has had the highest attendance of all Oakland middle schools for the last three years.
The toughest challenge for UPA, however, remains to be the factors that affect children outside of the classroom. In this area of Oakland, neighborhoods are plagued with high levels of violence. In the midst of an unsafe environment, most students come from low-income families, many students must manage serious family issues, suffer from poor nutrition, and lack access to transportation—all of these factors affect students’ ability to learn, their sense of what they are able to accomplish, and their ability to navigate new ideas and new environments. For these reasons, the College for All program is essential to UPA’s vision for long-term student success.
