- Enrollment
- 739
- Students per teacher
- 18:1
- Resource Index
- 21/100
High school (grades 9-12) · Ferndale, MI
University High School
Federal NCES profile for University High School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 9/100.
2024-25 NCES dataHigh school (grades 9-12)NCES 261428001901
👥 S:T ratio 1
🌟 Gifted program 30
🎓 Counselors 6
📋 Attendance 0
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
University High School earns 9/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 93% of Michigan schools. It is also less racially and ethnically mixed than most Michigan schools.
- #7 of 7
- public schools in Ferndale · Resource Index
- 9
- Resource Index · Lower
- 24.7:1
- large classes for Michigan
- 80.5%
- free-lunch eligible
University High School has class sizes larger than 93% of Michigan schools. Computed live against every Michigan school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, University High School ranks #7 of 7 public schools in Ferndale, MI.
School address
District: Ferndale Public Schools · Michigan
NCES ID 261428001901 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+18 students YoY
University High School held near 494 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+18 headcount).
Teacher FTE added 19.4 → 22.0 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
+18 students YoY 261428001901 · Ferndale, MI High · SMALL · TRAD
469 enr · 24.7:1 · 80.5% lunch · RII 9
Nearest enrollment peer: Ferndale High School (739 students)
University High School held near 494 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+18 headcount). Teacher FTE added 19.4 → 22.0 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Michigan schools → · Find another →
University High School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Ferndale High
Ferndale High School
739 students
- Ferndale Middl
Ferndale Middle School
528 students
- Ferndale Lower
Ferndale Lower Elementary Campus
517 students
- Ferndale Upper
Ferndale Upper Elementary Campus
501 students
- This school
University High School
469 students
- Tri County Edu
Tri County Educational Center
348 students
What this shows University High School reports 469 students on the CCD universe file.
How University High School compares
University High School held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Michigan and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Michigan | Michigan avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 24.7:1 | ▲ 41% | 17.5:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 80.5% | ▲ 48% | 54.3% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 469 | top 30% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
24.7:1
Leaner classes than 5% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
469
Bigger than 58% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
80.5%
free-lunch eligible
- 48% above the Michigan average of 54.3%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
24.7:1
students per teacher
- 41% above state mean
Top 93% in Michigan - lower ratio than 7% of state schools
Well above 20:1, one of the more stretched staffing loads nationally relative to enrollment.
Engagement
92.5%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$14,163
per pupil, district-wide
- below Michigan avg of $15,012
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors1.0 FTE
Per 469 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
0
in-school suspensions + 8 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 1.7 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
African American 96.6%
Two or More 1.5%
White 0.4%
Hispanic or Latino 0.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.4%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.4%
Asian 0.2%
Largest group: African American at 96.6% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 6.7/100
Simpson diversity index - at 6.7, University High School is less mixed than the Michigan school average of 36.2.
Programs
AP courses offered 3
District finance for Ferndale Public Schools reports $14,163 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How University High School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferndale High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Ferndale Middle School | Similar size | Lower economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Ferndale Lower Elementary Campus | Similar size | Lower economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Ferndale Upper Elementary Campus | Similar size | Lower economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Tri County Educational Center | Smaller | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to University High School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 528
- Students per teacher
- 18.2:1
- Resource Index
- 27/100
- Enrollment
- 517
- Students per teacher
- 17.8:1
- Resource Index
- 21/100
- Enrollment
- 501
- Students per teacher
- 16.7:1
- Resource Index
- 26/100
- Enrollment
- 348
- Students per teacher
- 31.6:1
- Resource Index
- 40/100
Similar high schools in Ferndale
1 comparable high schools (grades 9-12) serving the same city.
Nationwide high schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~469 students)
Similar student-teacher ratio (~24.7:1)
Frequently asked questions about University High School
How many students attend University High School?
University High School has 469 students enrolled. It is a high school in Ferndale, MI. CCD year-over-year: 476 (2022-23) → 494 (2023-24), nearly flat (+18).
What is the student-teacher ratio at University High School?
The student-teacher ratio at University High School is 24.7:1, which is 41% higher than the Michigan average of 17.5:1 and 57% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at University High School?
80.5% of students at University High School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Michigan average of 54.3%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of University High School?
The largest demographic group at University High School is African American at 96.6% of enrollment, in Ferndale, MI.
What is the Resource Investment Index for University High School?
University High School has a Resource Investment Index of 9/100 (lower reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does University High School rank among public schools in Ferndale?
By Resource Investment Index, University High School ranks #7 of 7 public schools in Ferndale, MI. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all public schools in Ferndale on the city page.
What other schools are in Ferndale Public Schools?
Besides University High School, Ferndale Public Schools also operates Ferndale High School (739 students), Ferndale Middle School (528 students), and Ferndale Lower Elementary Campus (517 students). See the Ferndale Public Schools district page for the complete list.