University High School

A time capsule sits within University High School. It whispers tales of bygone eras. University High School first opened its doors in 1999. It welcomed its first freshman class in the heart of Manhattan’s Lower East Side. The school shares a rich history with its building. The building itself dates back to 1902. It stands as a testament to Beaux-Arts architecture, designed by C.B.J. Snyder. Originally P.S. 31, the building’s exterior still bears the school’s name carved in scrollwork. Inside, high ceilings and tall windows flood the classrooms with light. These architectural details offer a glimpse into the past. Students and teachers once enjoyed views of the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. Author Frank McCourt, of “Angela’s Ashes” fame, taught within these walls in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He chronicled his experiences at the “Annex” in his memoir “Teacher Man”. University High School maintains a connection to its past. Two current faculty members, Stanley Friedland and Sergei Lopuchin, also taught at the Annex. Mr. Friedland even attended the Annex as a student, graduating in 1969. Ms. Jean Wright, another math teacher, also graduated from the Annex in 1985. Born from a partnership between NYU and the Board of Education, University High School aimed to bridge the gap between high school and higher education. NYU students would contribute as student-teachers, interns, and tutors, enriching the learning environment. This collaboration continues today, along with new partnerships with Baruch College and other universities. University High School stands at the intersection of history and progress. It continues to nurture young minds within the walls of its historic home.