The University High School, Parkville School Reviews

The University High School, Parkville

School Reviews

By Parent - 01 Jun 2024, Rate: average

UHS was probably a good school in the 1980s & 90s before enrolments sky rocketed as people bought apartments in the zone for the sole purpose of sending their children there. It is now hopelessly overcrowded to the points where it has had to move classes of its Y9 students to the local North Melbourne Primary school having run out of capacity on their Parkville campus. In my experience (and that of my childrens' and friends' children, some in the SEAL program) it is an adequate, public school - certainly no better than hundreds of public school across Melbourne. Thus, if you're expecting something special for your child from the school, fantastic teachers or a special academic culture, you'll be disappointed.
What distinguishes it in my experience, is that, understandbly, its administrators (and teachers I suspect) do not want or need your child, to the point where they will not-too-sublty, encourage parents to seek other school for their children to attend when given the opportunity. Unsurprisingly (and again, undersandably) a parents capacity to complain about the issues of over crowding, lack of amenities and poor maintenance is diminished, which realistically, is fair enough given it is a no-cost, public school. In contrast to other public, Catholic and private schools in the area, UHS doesn't really want, and certainly doesn't need your child.

By Alumnus - 17 Aug 2023, Rate: bad

i am so dissapointed with my time there.

By Alumnus - 26 Jun 2023, Rate: excellent

I attended Uni High from 1959-1961. I made friends I still treasure and keep in contact with, and I had (mostly) excellent teachers. Wish I could do it all again!

By Alumnus - 04 Apr 2023, Rate: excellent

Went to university high school in 1975 to 79 had a great time there only had half day Wednesday as we passed off into city instead of attending sport day

By Alumnus - 13 Aug 2022, Rate: good

Graduated 2021 in the COVID years. Teachers might fumble with the technology but most are willing to help if you also put in the effort to ask. Content sometimes is not taught very well but support is available almost all the time.
The school is not considered excellent in my opinion because there are a lot of students who are lazy and then blame the teachers and the system for their failures. They should have received the help they need or at least informed of it.

By Alumnus - 12 Nov 2021, Rate: excellent

I attended 1971-1974. It changed my life - my only regret is that I didn't realise the time how truly special the teachers were, so I never thanked them. I think often of the wonderful lessons I learned that I share with young professionals today. Thank you Uni High.

By Alumnus - 19 Mar 2021, Rate: poor

Horrible teachers, after staying back to study one day I heard a group of teachers talking horribly about their students, even one forgetting she had a class to teach to which a student had to run to remind them in their office. There was also a teacher getting too close to me deliberately, making me feel uncomfortable continuously during class too in prior years. My experience as a student there during the lockdown was the worst, the teachers were meant to support me but I didnt feel that at all, they only favored the smarter students in my view to put up a standard of excellent work. English teacher gave me one-liner feedback on essays and failed to promote a healthy environment in the class and the physics teacher seemed done with teaching. Highschool teachers should foster enthusiasm for learning new knowledge, not seem tired of it, and keep a professional facade. The students and teachers I encountered there are rude and I have some of the worst memories of bullying there. Luckily I had a nice group of friends to hang out with though. Some nice things about the place are the sports clubs and vicinity near WEHI and GTAC.

By Alumnus - 17 Feb 2021, Rate: poor

I was accepted into Uni High as an out of zone student on the basis of my marks in primary school. It would be fine for most kids who are academically inclined, but a terrible choice for kids who are gifted enough to stand out from other over-acheivers.
Their curriculum was mind-numbingly easy for me, yet they never gave me any opportunity to move on to more challenging material.
To make matters worse, I was horrifically bullied by peers who were jealous of my academic success. It wasn’t every day, but multiple times every week they would physically assault me in large groups. Uni High responded to my complaints about this with barely even a token effort to deal with the problem.
The bashings gradually got more serious over the years, until I worried that I would end up being crippled. I started playing truant, and the school’s only response to this was punishment. They were indifferent to the fact that I was only doing it because I was unsafe at school.
Eventually they asked me to change schools because of my chronic truancy and also because I violently retaliated against one of my bullies. They strongly hinted that they would build a case to expel me otherwise. I believe that they did this because they had no idea what to do with me, and considered it less of a hassle to push me out than to deal with the culture of bullying.
They arranged for me to go to a school that functioned as a dumping ground for kids who had been kicked out of other places.
The pandemic has shown that distance education works wonderfully for exceptionally gifted kids. If your child’s in primary school but can already do uni-level STEM, then I’d suggest looking into that so they can avoid a similar nightmare to what I suffered.

By Parent - 18 Dec 2020, Rate: good

The school is good. Many hardworking wonderful teachers and a few duds as well. Head of science and head of maths are great. Unfortunately the new principal is very good at ‘talking’ and that’s about all but she’s an ambitious type who maybe won’t stay too long. The Galileo program is terrible, especially if you have a child that likes learning, but it only last a term.

By Alumnus - 07 Dec 2020, Rate: excellent

This is a very good school, with high quality students and staff, forever cherish my school days

By Parent - 04 Aug 2020, Rate: excellent

How much mark does a child need in seal to get in uni high? Our son got 28th out of 198 students who wrote. Any chance to get in??

By Alumnus - 26 Apr 2020, Rate: excellent

The Class of '75 were a great bunch and this an excellent school.

By Alumnus - 13 Feb 2020, Rate: excellent

Excellent school, changed my life. Graduated in 1975, aged 17. Crossed the road to Melb Uni. Fabulous place, great history.

By Alumnus - 27 Feb 2019, Rate: excellent

Having been a former student in the 1950’s I am so pleased to have discovered this site.
I did notice however that the notable sporting alumni did not include many names familiar to we students in those years:
Graham Leyden - Essendon VFL footballer
Jack Potter - Australian Test Cricketer
Elizabeth Amos - Australian Women’s Test Cricketer
Lynn Denholm - Australian Women’s Test Cricketer
Eileen Massey - Australian Women’s Test Cricketer
Nellie Massey - Australian Women’s Test Cricketer
Apologies to others I have inadvertently ommitted

By Alumnus - 27 Feb 2019, Rate: excellent

I attended this school from 1954 - 1956 & loved it’s history & teacher dedication. I was proud & fortunate to be a member & captain of many of it’s sporting teams & to hold other school offices. Unfortunately I was not able to complete my education there due to family circumstances, but have never forgotten the wonderful moments of those school years.
How I loved reading & contributing to Ubique & The Record & treasure these among my souvenirs.

By Alumnus - 16 Feb 2019, Rate: good

The students and majority of teachers are excellent however the people at the "top" are atrocious and business/money minded. they only want top results in STEM subjects therefore thats where they put their attention and funding. a real shame because many, if not most, students are music, arts and humanities minded and they get left behind. additionally, those who are not as studious or can afford after-school-tutors get left behind, despite the well-intentioned and overworked teachers trying their very hardest. really hope this place turns itself around because i had a great time, but could have been so much better.

By Student - 31 Jan 2019, Rate: excellent

This is a truly special school it is just like or even better than a top of the standered private school!

By Parent - 29 Jan 2019, Rate: excellent

I do not know hat kind of rep it has these days but its seems there are a lot of negative posts......... I attended UHS from 1975 - 1979 and I considered it the best time of my life, it was a fantastic school and I loved the comradery... made some life long friends there.

By Alumnus - 28 Oct 2018, Rate: excellent

I attended UHS in 1955-1957 when entrants were drawn from all over Melbourne (plus local living students) who had attained a high level of marks at their previous secondary school or Central School. In addition to academic scores, ability in other activities such as sport, art, music etc were keenly looked on as able to contribute a positive and competitive to school life.
Prefects and House Captains showed leadership skills and gained respect from all at the school. We would have wanted our children to attend but the school "lost its way ". Pity.

By Parent - 20 Apr 2018, Rate: average

2018 - University High School is just a school. Yes, it does have a tenuous association with the university but in my, not inconsiderable experience, it is not significantly better (academically) than comparable government schools in Melbourne (unless your child is clever enough to be accepted into the SEAL program) which makes things different.
As the school’s staff and several articles will attest to, it is under-resourced and severely oversubscribed and will become more so as population increases exponentially in North Melbourne and Parkville in the years to come with the construction of 10s of thousands dwellings, many purchased of course to gaining residency and therefore access to this school. This isn’t a good thing It’s a good school, but don’t get too excited about it is all I’m saying…..

By Parent - 19 Feb 2018, Rate: excellent

I moved in to the zone to get my son into Uni High. My other two boys went to a private boys school. He just started Year 7 this year 2018, and he is reasonably smart but has struggled in the first few weeks to find his feet. I don’t think the school helps the newer kids who know no one to find their way around. There is also no way to track absences so if your child does not turn up or wag school you are not notified. Jury is out yet as to whether we will continue here.

By Parent - 07 Jan 2017, Rate: excellent

2016 - First year with the school. I think the school has its reputation partly because it imports students who have probably had tutors since Prep and/or are self driven high achievers. It is definitely disproportionally focussed on high achieving students and from the point of enrolment. Many people seem to buy their way into the school and zone. I think the social environment is quite well managed and relatively friendly but it is not a school for average or struggling students. In some ways it is a disappointment - the private system seems generally more nurturing and has to work harder to achieve a good reputation.

By Student - 02 Mar 2016, Rate: excellent

THIS IS MY FIRSR YEAR TO STUDY IN THIS SCHOOL(UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL)THE TEACHER ARE GOOD AND POLITE I AM VERY GLAD THAT THEY ACCEPTED ME TO JOIN THEM I FELT VERY PROUD STRONGLY RECOMMENDED FOR UR GUYS TO JOIN THEM:)

By Student - 09 Jan 2015, Rate: excellent

I loved going to this school I Highly recommend it! The staff are great and the students are really nice great school! 10/10

By Alumnus - 25 Nov 2014, Rate: good

I enjoyed my time at Uni High (I completed year 12 in 2010). Great bunch of kids, good ones and bad ones but overall high school was fun and I was able to achieve good results. Having said that I believe my own drive was the cause of my good results, not the teaching staff. Some staff are amazing and will go the extra mile, while others are so slack and I'm not sure how they remain employed. Student welfare is a low priority. Mr Newton (new principal) does not care about student welfare but dedicated staff like Ms Klopsteins are willing to help (PE department). The school is what you make it. "Smart" kids thrive and get the help they need, kids who lack motivation are left to float around. The zone is stupid.

By Parent - 04 Oct 2014, Rate: excellent

I'm not sure how some people can regard this school has having a poor rating! I sent all four of my children to University High through music scholarships. The teaching is outstanding, the facilities were high class and I loved how my children were able to grow up in a school environment that had, and still has, a diverse range of nationalities! My children were dedicated to their studies due to the high standard of the students and the motivation by teaches, which allowed them to receive acceptance into all their first preferences at University. Cannot reccomend this school highly enough! As a past parent of the school I know for certain that University High School is a high class education that keeps getting better!

By Student - 04 Oct 2014, Rate: excellent

After having attended a private school in Melbourne years 7-9, my transition to University High School was extremely satisfactory. The staff are all helpful, knowledgeable in their areas and easy to get engage with. The students are mature, hardworking and friendly. The diversity of the school allows me to gain understanding in many different nationalities and religions. University High accepts everyone as an individual. As many believe private schools are of a higher calibre than government funded, I regard university high as having just as good education, if not better, than most private schools in Melbourne. University High had allowed me to achieve my best, all within a safe and hospitable environment!

By Parent - 26 Jul 2014, Rate: poor

How can someone reside in a family home in the same suburb as University High (Parkville) but not be in the University High Zone? Contrast this with people living on the southern side of the Yarra River being in the University High Zone? Surely this situation needs to be corrected. Government schools should support the people living in their neighbourhoods not reject and discriminate against them.

By Alumnus - 09 Jul 2014, Rate: excellent

of course you should . it is an extremely high level school with serious teachers and hardworking students

By Parent - 04 Jul 2014, Rate: excellent

a very good school with high graded student for my beliefs its one of the best school in Victoria and get most of there books into devices so children don't hurt there back or damage anything and has high quality teacher to assure our kids get the best teaching and graduate with high exam results and it is not true the school does regular cheek ups to maintain there is no lying and everyone lives in there respected zone and inside the school zone and cheek the address so that there no lying in that school. another thing they do good at is hold fundraisers so that students raise money and give it to the people that live in poverty and have nothing to eat or places to sleep this group is called SMAD which stands for students making a difference another thing university high school stands up to is bullying it is not good and you get in very big trouble and have regular lunch time duty teacher to make sure nobody gets hurt another thing that is good is that the school is right next to the royal ,children,men and Women hospital so if someone get hurt accidentally they get the quickest help fast. Over all a really great school to send your wonderful children or child to.

By Parent - 26 Jun 2014, Rate: bad

I don't like the way this school zone it, it seems like discrimination!
We are in Flemington,very close to school but still out of zone!
I am sure most of the parents whose children in this school pay tutors for their children to get good results not the efforts by the teachers!
This school has the look only I believe .
My girls not in this school but landed on top uni and about to graduate

By Parent - 10 Feb 2014, Rate: excellent

Is it true or not? I would like to hear more people can confirm that uni high is not good as before. I was planning to send my kid to that school, should I?

By Parent - 14 Oct 2013, Rate: excellent

Are there any other current parents of University High School or current students of University High who would like to add a comment about your experiences with the school as we are interested in hearing of more viewpoints of others as we are considering this school for our child. Your opinions on this post would be appreciated.