Students meet in Lupton Hall for their first day of University High. Photo by Angela Foster.
Class is officially in session for 41 University High juniors.
For the second consecutive year, students are working toward their high school diplomas on the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga campus as part of the University High program—a Hamilton County Schools initiative.
University High students will have the chance to get a taste of the college experience with experiential learning opportunities, academic advising, college prep and on-campus activities.
Wednesday, Aug. 7—the first day of the school year for Hamilton County Schools students—also served as the University High orientation for the juniors. The 43 returning seniors will begin classes on Monday.
“They’ll be learning the campus, they’ll be learning about us,” said University High Principal Arielle Hayes. “We’ll be doing a lot of relationship building, talking about safety on campus, professor expectations, UTC expectations and how we carry ourselves on campus as high schoolers.”
Malik Bailey
Malik Bailey, an incoming junior from Tyner Academy, is looking forward to new learning opportunities at University High.
“I heard it was challenging,” Bailey said. “I have a 4.0 (GPA) and I felt like it was too easy, even with all of the honors and AP classes. I felt like I would want more of a challenge.”
Hayes was excited about welcoming the second cohort, especially since she had the advantage of selecting all the students with a committee this year.
“We had conversations before school started about what this opportunity could provide them,” Hayes said.
She mentioned one returning student—Addison Howard—who wants to go into the medical field and currently works as an intern for a local OB-GYN.
Howard, a senior who previously attended Chattanooga High School Center of Creative Arts, shared more about her internship role.
“I am working in a medical office observing and I also observe in a hospital,” she said. “That is setting me up for success in medical school because I plan to go into the surgical field.”
She also shared her enthusiasm for the upcoming year.
“The first year was the best experience I’ve ever had,” she said. “This year, as I approach all college classes and my internship, I could not be more excited.”
Howard isn’t the only student excited to be back.
“They have told me, ‘Miss Arielle, this is a great opportunity. I don’t want to mess this up; I want to be here. I see myself at UTC,’” Hayes said.
With University High, the transition from high school to college is made easy. After two years in the program, University High students will earn between 14 and 20 college credit hours.
They will also have full access to all UTC student support services and engagement opportunities, including University Health Services, the UTC Library, the Center for Career and Leadership Development, the Aquatic and Recreation Center, and on-campus events.
All classes for University High are held in Lupton Hall and Hunter Hall. Depending on their transcripts, juniors and seniors may attend classes together.
According to Hayes, juniors will remain in a tight cohort to help teach time management and self-advocacy skills, while seniors have more diverse schedules.
Prior to last year, Hayes said she had no idea what it was like to be a principal on a college campus. This year, she is confident about another smooth year.
“I am so pleased with the relationship we have,” she said. “UTC has been just an amazing partner from supporting us to getting us enrolled in college classes.”
Addison Howard (left) and University High Principal Arielle Hayes. Photo by Angela Foster.
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