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Welcome Back! Virtual Orientation Make-Up Sessions Wednesday!

Any UACHS parent who was not able to attend one of the in-person orientation sessions last week, may attend one of the make-up sessions being held on Zoom tomorrow, September 3:

Please be advised: Attendance at an orientation session is mandatory. A parent/guardian for each student must attend an orientation for the student and parent to receive access to PowerSchool and for the student to be eligible to go out for lunch or enjoy other privileges (e.g., field trips, etc.).

All school policies and procedures can be found in the student handbook.

WELCOMING LETTER

Dear Student and Parent or Guardian,

Welcome to the 24th year of University Academy Charter High School! Everyone here—students, families, faculty, and staff—is looking forward to another productive, engaging, and successful school year.

This year, we are proud to announce the opening of our brand-new STEAAM Suite—an exciting expansion that reflects our school’s commitment to innovation and opportunity. Our STEAAM program, which integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Agriculture, and Mathematics, now includes state-of-the-art learning spaces designed to support hands-on, interdisciplinary education. Students will have access to Technology, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry Labs, Music Room, multiple Makerspaces, a professional-grade Recording Room, and new Seminar Rooms to promote collaboration and critical thinking. To support student well-being and daily needs, we’ve also added single-user bathrooms and a fully equipped laundry room.

These upgrades represent a major investment in our students’ futures, and we are excited to see them explore, discover, and grow in these modernized environments.

To further support a safe, respectful, and focused learning environment, we are also implementing two important policies this year:

Enhanced Safety Procedures – Metal Detector Screening

To ensure the safety and security of all students and staff, UACHS will now require all students to pass through metal detectors upon entry each morning. This process will be conducted with professionalism, discretion, and efficiency. Students should arrive on time to accommodate the new procedure and avoid bringing unnecessary metal objects that could delay screening.

Phone-Free Learning Environment – No Personal Electronic Devices During School Hours

UACHS is now a Phone-Free School. All personal electronic devices—including cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, earbuds, laptops, and similar items—must be turned off and stored away throughout the school day, including in hallways and common areas. Devices that are visible will be confiscated. If parents or guardians need to reach a student during the school day, they should call the main office at (201) 200-3200. This policy supports our mission to maintain a distraction-free, academically focused environment.

This year’s Student Handbook outlines these and all other school policies in detail. Please review it together carefully. All required forms must be completed by the end of the first week of school via the following link: https://tinyurl.com/uachsforms (Paper copies are available at the front desk.)

We also want to remind families that daily attendance and punctuality are essential. The school day begins promptly at 8:00 AM. Students should arrive no later than 7:50 AM to allow time for lockers and breakfast. Written notes from a parent or guardian must be submitted for all absences; however, these do not automatically excuse the absence. Students with 10 or more unexcused absences will be referred to Jersey City Municipal Truancy Court, and students who accumulate 21 unexcused absences will lose course credit for the year.

At UACHS, students are expected to uphold our Three Non-Negotiable Policies at all times. These foundational rules support a respectful and effective learning environment:

  1. Unauthorized electronic devices may not be visible at any time and will be confiscated if seen.
  2. All students must wear the proper school uniform, which excludes T-shirts, cardigans, hoodies, hats, headdresses, or Crocs; violations may result in parental notification or in-school suspension.
  3. Finally, our attendance rule is simple: “20 Means 20.” If a student accumulates more than 20 absences in any course, they will receive an automatic F and no credit. Remember that three tardies equal one absence, so arriving on time matters every day, for every class.

We ask all parents and guardians to support these expectations. Your partnership is essential to student achievement. When families and schools work together, we see improvements in academics, behavior, and attendance to everyone’s benefit.

As always, if you have questions or concerns at any point during the school year, please don’t hesitate to reach out. My office door is always open to support you and your child. I wish you a safe, successful, and inspiring school year!

Sincerely,

Mr. Erie Lugo, Jr.
Dean/Principal