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About US

For boys, Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12

University School teaches boys of all ages the important tenets of becoming young men: responsibility, loyalty, and consideration. At University School, our students are set up for success both in and beyond the classroom.

List of 14 items.

  • OUR MISSION

    University School inspires boys of promise to become young men of character who lead and serve. Our dedicated faculty, rigorous curriculum, and experiential programs foster intellectual, physical, creative, and moral excellence. University School is a diverse and inclusive community where each boy is known and loved. 
  • OUR MOTTO

    Responsibility, Loyalty, Consideration are more than words in a motto; the concepts are woven into the fabric of school life.
    • US teachers and students model integrity and respect.
    • US boys rise to the occasion to lead and to serve those in need.
    • US boys develop empathy by consistently listening, sharing, and being there for others.
  • OUR COMMUNITY

    University School believes that its students learn their most formative and enduring lessons through exposure to and experience with a broad range of perspectives.  We recruit and support faculty whose backgrounds and training bring local, national, and international perspectives to our school.  We admit and support students who represent economically, culturally, and racially diverse communities within Northeast Ohio. All students have many opportunities to explore their talents and develop their skills in new contexts. During his time at US, each student is encouraged to discover both his responsibility to others and his purpose in the world. 
  • OUR CAMPUS

    University School maintains two campuses. Our lower and middle school campus (grades Junior K–8) is located in Shaker Heights, Ohio, and our upper school campus (grades 9–12) can be found on a 220-acre campus in Hunting Valley, Ohio.
  • OUR STUDENTS & FACULTY

    University School has a diverse population from Greater Cleveland; 867 male students are enrolled selectively. The lower and middle schools (grades Junior K-8) have 444 students, and the upper school (grades 9-12) has 423 students. This averages out to class sizes of 14 students and a 7:1 student to teacher ratio. We take pride in our accomplished teachers. University School faculty number 126, 83% of whom hold advanced degrees.
  • COLLEGE ATTENDANCE

    One hundred percent of University School graduates go on to four-year colleges. Our approach to college counseling is individual. As each boy is his own person, colleges have their own unique "character," and we foster a good student-college match.
  • AFFORDABILITY

    University School awards $8+ million in financial assistance annually. 49% of our families participate in our affordability program. Merit aid awards are also available to incoming ninth graders.
  • NATIONAL MERIT® SCHOLARS

    The National Merit® Scholarship Program recognized 24 University School seniors, including 12 students as Semifinalists, in the 2022 competition. Read more.
  • ACT/SAT SCORES, AP CLASSES

    56% of University School's Class of 2021 took the ACT:
    ACT Score: University School's mean composite score is 29.
    77% of University School's Class of 2021 took the SAT:
    SAT Math Score: University School's mean is 690.
    SAT EBRW Score: University School's mean is 680.
    In 2021, students took a total of 445 AP exams; 84% earned a score of three or higher. Many AP courses are offered exclusively to seniors.
  • ATHLETIC TRADITION

    University School's athletic programs have a long and successful history and are important components of the overall school curriculum. These programs support the school's philosophy of participation, growth, and achievement and encourage the values of self-discipline, respect for others, integrity, responsibility, and sportsmanship. At the high school, the 13-sport interscholastic program includes varsity, junior varsity, and freshmen teams to encourage broad participation in sports. In the past four years, 10% to 34.5% of senior athletes in each class committed to play college sports. 
  • INSTITUTIONAL RECOGNITION

    Ranked the #1 Private K-12 School in Ohio by Niche; selected by The Ohio Academy of Science to receive The Governor's Thomas Edison Award for Excellence in STEM Education and Student Research; received a LEEDS Silver certification for the upper school academic wing; and, for the eleventh time, named one of the Top Workplaces in Northeast Ohio! 
  • HISTORY

    Since its establishment in 1890, University School has served as a model for the American independent day school. Founding headmaster Newton Anderson envisioned a school that would train boys in mental, manual, and physical education. His vision endures, as more than 131 years later we continue to educate the whole boy.
  • ACCREDITATION

    US is accredited by the Independent School Association of the Central States (ISACS) and by the Ohio State Department of Education.
  • MEMBERSHIP

School Leadership

List of 12 members.

  • Photo of Patrick Gallagher

    Mr. Patrick Gallagher 

    Head of School
    216-831-2200 x7390
    Bio
  • Photo of Lindsay Arnoult

    Mrs. Lindsay Arnoult 

    Director of the Middle School; French Teacher Grade 5
    216-371-6818 x8238
    Bio
  • Photo of Jennifer Beros

    Mrs. Jen Beros 

    Associate Head of School
    216-321-8260 x8269
    Bio
  • Photo of Jonathan Bridge

    Mr. Jon Bridge 

    Assistant Head of School for Advancement
    216-292-2152
    Bio
  • Photo of Lisa Cummings

    Mrs. Lisa Cummings 

    Director of the Lower School
    216-321-8260
    Bio
  • Photo of Michael DeGrandis

    Mr. Mike DeGrandis 

    Chief Financial Officer
  • Photo of Sandra Fantozzi-Welker

    Mrs. Sandie Fantozzi-Welker 

    Director of Human Resources & Payroll
    216-321-1984 x8214
  • Photo of Sean McDonnell

    Mr. Sean McDonnell 

    Director of Athletics K-12, Basketball Coach
    216-831-2200 x7394
    Bio
  • Photo of Robert Pesicka

    Mr. Rob Pesicka 

    Director of Marketing & Communications
    216-831-2200 x7384
  • Photo of Krystopher Perry

    Mr. Krystopher Perry 

    Director of Upper School and Hunting Valley Campus
    216-831-2200 x7469
  • Photo of Christina Townsend Hartz

    Ms. Christina Townsend Hartz 

    Director of Admission & Financial Aid
    216-292-2149
    Bio
  • Photo of Lisa Ulery

    Mrs. Lisa Ulery 

    Director of Technology & Libraries, Sophomore Class Dean, School Archivist
    216-831-2200 x7347
    Bio

Shaker Heights Campus JUNIOR K – GRADE 8

20701 Brantley Road, Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122
Phone: (216) 321-8260

Hunting Valley Campus GRADES 9 – 12

2785 SOM Center Road, Hunting Valley, Ohio 44022
Phone: (216) 831-2200