Irvine High School offers 25 AP courses. In May 2025, students took 1,824 AP exams. Unlike several other high schools in the district, this school publishes neither the share of scores of 3 or higher nor pass rates by subject, so this page does not compare pass rates. It answers two more practical questions instead: in which grade each AP course can be taken, and how to combine AP courses over four years.
AP Exam Volume and Score Reporting
| Courses offered | 25 AP courses, plus 8 honors courses and 1 enhanced course |
|---|---|
| Exams taken | 1,824 exams in May 2025 |
| Pass rate | The school publishes only the total number of exams taken; it does not publish the share of scores of 3 or higher or pass rates by subject. |
| External recognition | Named to the College Board AP School Honor Roll at the Silver level in 2024 |
| Exam registration | For 2026-27, AP exam registration runs October 12-27, 2026 for Irvine High School students and October 13-27 for students from other schools. Requests to cancel an exam for a refund are due by February 22, 2027. The 2027 exams take place May 3-14. |
Note that the 1,824 exams are the total across all four grades. Compared with 1,925 enrolled students, this averages to fewer than one exam per student. In practical terms, competition for AP seats at Irvine High School is not intense, but students need to fill out their own AP combinations. Following the school’s default pathway usually does not produce enough AP courses to support applications to competitive majors.
Grade Levels
Grade 9 may take AP World History, AP Computer Science Principles, and AP Computer Science A. AP Precalculus and AP Art History open in grade 10. AP Physics 1 is taken in grade 11 and the remaining AP science courses in grade 12; AP Psychology and AP Macroeconomics require enrollment in grade 11 or 12..
| Grade | AP courses available |
|---|---|
| Grade 9 | AP World History (Class of 2029 and later), AP Computer Science Principles, AP Computer Science A |
| Grade 10 | AP US History (Class of 2029 and later), AP Precalculus, AP Art History, AP Music Theory, plus the courses open in grade 9 |
| Grade 11 | AP English Language, AP Calculus AB, AP Statistics, AP Physics 1, AP Psychology, AP Macroeconomics, AP French, AP Spanish Language, AP Drawing, and AP 2D and 3D Art & Design |
| Grade 12 | AP English Literature, AP Calculus BC, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics 2, AP Government & Politics and Economics |
The social science pathway moves one year earlier starting with the Class of 2029, which is the most visible difference between Irvine High School and the other schools in the Irvine Unified School District. Beginning with the Class of 2029, students take Modern World History or AP World History in grade 9 and US History or AP US History in grade 10. The Classes of 2026 through 2028 continue on the previous pathway, with no social science course in grade 9.
Entry Requirements for Each AP Course
The following requirements come from the 2026-27 course catalog. For courses not listed, the catalog does not state a prerequisite.
| AP course (grades offered) | Entry requirements |
|---|---|
| AP Computer Science Principles (9 to 12) | Designed for students with no programming background; no prerequisite; weighted |
| AP Computer Science A (9 to 12) | A grade of B in Math 2 or higher, or completion of AP Computer Science Principles; uses Java |
| AP Precalculus (10 to 12) | Can be taken directly after Enhanced Math 2; on the standard pathway, after Math 3 |
| AP Calculus AB (11 to 12) | Completion of Math 4 or Enhanced Math 3; students who drop AP Calculus BC cannot transfer into AB in the same school year |
| AP Calculus BC (12) | Listed in the catalog as a grade 12 course; taking it in grade 11 requires confirmation with a counselor |
| AP Statistics (11 to 12) | Can be taken concurrently with Enhanced Math 3, or after Math 3 or Enhanced Math 3 |
| AP Physics 1 (11 to 12) | The accelerated version of the physics year in the required science sequence |
| AP Biology (12) | Must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in Physics in the Universe or AP Physics 1 |
| AP Chemistry (12) | Must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in Physics in the Universe or AP Physics 1 |
| AP Environmental Science (12) | Must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in Physics in the Universe or AP Physics 1 |
| AP Physics 2 (12) | Must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in Physics in the Universe or AP Physics 1 |
| AP Psychology (11 to 12) | Must be enrolled in grade 11 or 12 |
| AP Macroeconomics (11 to 12) | Must be enrolled in grade 11 or 12 |
| AP French (11 to 12) | A grade of 70% or higher in Honors French 4 |
| AP Spanish Language (11 to 12) | A grade of 70% or higher in the previous Spanish course |
| AP Art History (10 to 12) | Completed or currently enrolled in an AP or honors course, or an advanced visual arts course |
| AP Drawing (11 to 12) | Passing grades in both semesters of Advanced Drawing and Painting, plus an application and portfolio; a grade of C or higher in the first semester is required to continue |
| AP 2D Art & Design (11 to 12) | Passing grades in both semesters of Advanced Photography or Advanced Computer Graphics, plus teacher approval |
| AP 3D Art & Design (11 to 12) | Passing grades in at least two semesters of Ceramics, plus teacher approval |
AP Courses Not Offered at the School
- AP Physics C
- AP Microeconomics
- AP Human Geography
- AP Chinese Language and Culture
- AP Latin
- AP European History
- AP Seminar / AP Research
Of these, AP Physics C has the greatest effect on students applying to engineering and physics majors. The physics sequence at Irvine High School ends with AP Physics 2, which is usually scheduled in grade 12, so applicants can report only predicted grades. Students planning to apply to STEM majors should consider taking AP Physics C outside the school and sitting for the exam in grade 11. AP Microeconomics is a similar case: the school offers only AP Macroeconomics, and students interested in business usually take both exams.
AP Course List (from the Course Catalog)
Mathematics
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Precalculus | AP | 10-12 | —Credits: 10 (Weighted Grade) | c |
| AP Calculus AB | AP | 11-12 | Completion of Math IV or Enhanced Math III. Students may not enroll in AP Calculus AB after dropping AP Calculus BC during the same school year.Credits: 10 (Weighted Grade) | c |
| AP Calculus BC | AP | 12 | Students may not enroll in AP Calculus AB after dropping AP Calculus BC during the same school year.Credits: 10 (Weighted Grade) | c |
| AP Statistics | AP | 11-12 | May be taken concurrently with Enhanced Math III, or after completion of Math III or Enhanced Math III.Credits: 10 (Weighted Grade) | c |
| AP Computer Science A | AP | 9-12 | Math II or higher with a grade of B or better or Completion of AP Computer Science PrinciplesCredits: 10 (weighted grade) | c |
Science
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Biology | AP | 12 | Must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in Physics in the Universe or AP Physics 1Credits: 10 (Weighted Grade) | d |
| AP Chemistry | AP | 12 | Must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in Physics in the Universe or AP Physics 1Credits: 10 (Weighted Grade) | d |
| AP Environmental Science | AP | 12 | Must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in Physics in the Universe or AP Physics 1Credits: 10 (Weighted Grade) | d |
| AP Physics 1 | AP | 11-12 | —Credits: 10 (Weighted Grade) | d |
| AP Physics 2 | AP | 12 | Must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in Physics in the Universe or AP Physics 1Credits: 10 (Weighted Grade) | d |
English
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP English Language and Composition | AP | 11 | —Credits: 10 (Weighted Grade) | b |
| AP English Literature and Composition | AP | 12 | —Credits: 10 (Weighted Grade) | b |
Social Science
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP World History | AP | 9 (c/o 2029+) / 10 | —Credits: 10 (Weighted Grade) | a |
| AP United States History | AP | 10 (c/o 2029+) / 11 | —Credits: 10 | a |
| AP American Government & Politics & Economics | AP | 12 | —Credits: 10 | a |
| AP Psychology | AP | 11-12 | Junior or senior standingCredits: 10 | g |
| AP Macroeconomics | AP | 11-12 | Junior or senior standingCredits: 5 | g |
World Languages
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP French | AP | 11-12 | 70% or above in Honors French 4Credits: 10 (Weighted Grade) | e |
| AP Spanish Language and Culture | AP | 11-12 | 70% or above in previous courseCredits: 10 (Weighted Grade) | e |
Career Technical Education
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Computer Science Principles | AP | 9-12 | Students with no prior coding experience.Weighted GPA; Credits: 10 | g |
Visual and Performing Arts - Visual
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Drawing | AP | 11-12 | A passing grade for both semesters of Advanced Drawing and Painting. (or teacher approval). Students must submit an application and portfolio. ‘C’ or better required for 1st semester to continue…Credits: 10 (Weighted Grade) | f |
| AP 2D Art & Design | AP | 11-12 | A passing grade for two semesters of Advanced Visual Imagery/Photo, or Advanced Computer Graphics. Teacher approval required.Credits: 10 (Weighted Grade) | f |
| AP 3D Art & Design | AP | 11-12 | A passing grade in two or more semesters of Ceramics and teacher approval.Credits: 10 (Weighted Grade) | f |
| AP Art History | AP | 10-12 | Completion or enrollment in an AP or Honors course, or Advanced or AP level in a Visual Arts studio course.Credits: 10; Grade Level: 10-12 | f |
Visual and Performing Arts - Performing
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Music Theory | AP | 10-12 | —Credits: 5 per semester (Weighted GPA) | f |
Recommended Combinations by Intended Major
The combinations below follow the social science pathway for the Class of 2029 and later. Students in the Classes of 2026 through 2028 should move AP World History and AP US History one year later each.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Irvine High School students take AP courses in grade 9?
Yes. Grade 9 students at Irvine High School can take AP World History, AP Computer Science Principles, and AP Computer Science A. AP World History is the grade 9 course in the social science pathway for the Class of 2029 and later, and AP Computer Science Principles is designed for students with no programming background. All three are weighted and are among the few grade 9 courses that can raise the school GPA.
What is the AP pass rate at Irvine High School?
Irvine High School, one of the high schools in the Irvine Unified School District (IUSD), does not publish AP pass rates. The school profile states only that students took 1,824 AP exams in May 2025; it gives neither the share of scores of 3 or higher nor any data by subject. As a point of reference, the school earned Silver recognition on the College Board AP School Honor Roll in 2024, which requires schools to expand AP access while maintaining score levels. Irvine families who want to understand how a particular course performs should ask the teacher directly during the course selection conference.
Which AP courses are not offered at Irvine High School?
Among the five Irvine Unified School District high schools, the 25 AP courses at Irvine High School do not include AP Physics C, AP Microeconomics, AP Human Geography, AP Chinese Language, AP Latin, AP European History, or AP Seminar / Research. AP Physics C and AP Microeconomics are common subjects in STEM and business applications, so students need to take them outside the school before sitting for the exams.
How do students register for AP exams at Irvine High School in the Irvine Unified School District?
Irvine High School is an AP testing site. For the 2026-27 school year, registration runs from October 12 to 27, 2026 for its own students and from October 13 to 27 for students from other schools, which means students who take AP courses outside the school can also test here. Requests to cancel an exam for a refund are due by February 22, 2027, and the College Board deducts a $40 fee. The 2027 exams run from May 3 to 14; check-in is at 7:30 for morning sessions and 12:15 for afternoon sessions. Late arrivals are not admitted, and there are no makeup exams.
Why are most AP science courses at Irvine High School scheduled in grade 12?
Irvine High School requires every science elective to be taken after or concurrently with Physics in the Universe or AP Physics 1. The required three-year science sequence runs through grade 11, and AP Physics 1 is the accelerated option in grade 11, so AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, and AP Physics 2 usually fit only in grade 12. Students interested in STEM should confirm this sequence in grades 9 through 10.
