Dear Centurions,
Welcome to the 2024-25 school year at University City High School (UCHS)! We are thrilled to embark on another exciting year together. The entire UCHS staff is committed to supporting you in achieving your highest potential. As a team—students, parents, caregivers, staff, and the local community—we can accomplish more and continue to advance the legacy of our great school. When we work together, we ensure equitable opportunities for success for every learner.
As we embark on this new school year, remember that the staff is here to support and guide you every step of the way. A key practice in school, work, and life is punctuality. Challenge yourself to be on time, ready to learn, attend all your classes daily, and strive for excellence in your academic work. Take to heart one of my favorite quotes from former NFL Coach Tony Dungy: “Do what we do. Whatever it takes. No excuses, no explanations.” The “We” includes our entire support team at home and school.
Our Centurion staff is devoted to providing a safe, supportive, and engaging environment that ignites the genius within each of our learners. We are committed to ensuring that every Centurion has the tools to succeed in college, career, and beyond. Our school-wide learning goals are designed to prepare you for the future, ensuring you become:
- Contributing members of the community
- Collaborative citizens
- Effective communicators
- Independent thinkers
- Technologically skilled individuals
Connections and relationships are essential to high school success. We are fortunate to offer an incredible array of extracurricular opportunities at UCHS, with over 30 athletic teams and nearly 100 clubs. I encourage every student to get involved and find a program that inspires them. And if you have a passion for something new, advocate for creating new opportunities! This year, we’re also excited to launch UC Link Crew, a team of dedicated upperclass students who will connect with and support our 9th graders as they navigate their first year of high school. This is just one of the many ways we’re fostering a strong, inclusive community where every student feels they belong.
I look forward to meeting many of you throughout the year, listening and learning about our successes, and discovering where we can go from here.
Centurions, it’s going to be a fantastic year. Together, let’s “Win the Day”! UC...U Know!
Respectfully,
Mike Paredes
Proud UCHS Principal