About University High
University High (UH), a college access and opportunity initiative, represents a collaborative partnership between Hamilton County Schools and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC). Designed for 11th- and 12th-grade students, UH provides a more rigorous academic curriculum paired with meaningful early college experiences. Students enroll in both high school and UTC courses, all delivered on UTC’s campus, giving them an authentic introduction to college-level learning and expectations.
University High puts equity into action by equipping students with the skills to learn deeply and think critically. Its comprehensive approach to literacy supports students as they develop a stronger understanding of themselves, their academic work, and the world around them.
Words from Our Students:
“I really do think I would be a completely different person if I hadn’t taken that chance... I know what I want to do and I have the drive to fight for it. This program was made for people like me , people who don’t fit the mold, who need a little more polishing to shine.”
-Matt, Class of 2025
“Everyone here is smart in their own way, and together we’ve built a community where we feel safe, supported and seen. The teachers don’t just let us fall. They catch us, push us and help us rise.”
-Amauri, Class of 2026
"Univeristy HIgh has changed me. It’s given me the most beautiful friendships. It’s given me balance. It’s given me confidence, the kind that makes me believe I can not only go to college, but that I can really be something great. It gave me the chance to grow up, to discover who I am, to thrive.”
-Willow, Class of 2027