Opened in 1972, The U School in Philadelphia has a fascinating, albeit tumultuous, history. The U School wasn’t always The U School. It began its life as University City High School, built on land that was once a vibrant African American community known as the Black Bottom. Originally envisioned as a science and technology magnet school, University City High School opened as a general high school, facing challenges like underfunding and racial tensions.
The school building itself was a monolithic structure. Architectural historian George Thomas described it as a “giant square surrounding a roofed-over interior courtyard”. He noted its resemblance to both a Renaissance palazzo and a prison, especially with the added window grilles. Despite these architectural challenges, student creativity found an outlet in 1975. Students, working with ceramic artist John Costanza, created striking terra cotta murals depicting prominent African American historical figures.
Over the years, University City High School saw periods of both turmoil and progress. The 1970s were marred by gang violence and assaults on teachers. The 1980s brought racial conflict between Black and Southeast Asian refugee students. A period of improvement came in the mid-1990s under Principal James “Torch” Lytle. He implemented small learning communities and a program for older dropouts. Violence decreased, and attendance improved. However, achievement scores, while better, remained below grade level.
The early 2000s brought No Child Left Behind and increased pressure on underperforming schools. In 2010, University City High was designated a “Promise Academy,” part of a reform initiative. The first year saw improvements with new resources. However, budget cuts and disputes with the teachers’ union undermined the program in the second year.
In 2013, the School District of Philadelphia closed University City High School. The building was demolished in 2015 after Drexel University purchased the site. Some artifacts were saved. The terra cotta murals were carefully removed and one found a new home at the Moore College of Art & Design. The U School, a competency-based school focused on project-based learning, now occupies the former site of University City High. It carries on a legacy of education on the grounds of the Black Bottom, offering a new chapter in the story of this historic land.