Portola High School offers 28 AP courses and 11 weighted Honors courses, the largest number of AP courses among the five comprehensive high schools in Irvine Unified School District. In May 2026, 1,251 students took 3,612 AP exams across 34 AP subjects. This page brings together pass rates by subject, the grade levels in which each course is offered, and entry requirements, to help families decide which courses to take and in which grade.
AP Score Distribution
| Courses offered | 28 AP courses + 11 weighted Honors courses |
|---|---|
| Test takers | 1,251 students |
| Exams taken | 3,612 exams across 34 subjects |
| Pass rate by student | 1,219 students scored 3 or higher on at least one exam, or 97.4% |
| Pass rate by exam | Across the 28 subjects the school reports, 3,595 exams were taken and 3,346 of them scored 3 or higher, or 93.1% |
These two figures measure different things and should not be used interchangeably. The 97.4% figure describes how many AP test takers scored 3 or higher at least once, which measures breadth; the 93.1% figure describes how many of all exams earned a 3 or higher, which measures actual performance in each course. Cross-school comparisons should use the latter. The school has not published the number of exams at each score level of 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1; it publishes only the number of exams and the share of scores of 3 or higher by subject.
Pass Rates by Subject
| AP subject | 2026 exams | Score 3+ | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Government | 289 | 98% | |
| English Literature | 282 | 94% | |
| Precalculus | 271 | 100% | |
| English Language | 268 | 95% | |
| Psychology | 253 | 91% | |
| Human Geography | 225 | 98% | |
| Physics 1 | 197 | 97% | |
| Biology | 181 | 92% | |
| Macroeconomics | 152 | 81% | Shares one AP Economics course with Microeconomics |
| Microeconomics | 143 | 81% | Shares one AP Economics course with Macroeconomics |
| Calculus AB | 138 | 92% | |
| US History | 136 | 96% | |
| Calculus BC | 134 | 96% | |
| Statistics | 130 | 95% | |
| Environmental Science | 125 | 90% | |
| Chemistry | 115 | 93% | |
| CS Principles | 92 | 97% | |
| Chinese | 88 | 99% | |
| Spanish Language | 85 | 62% | |
| Physics C Mechanics | 72 | 88% | Shares one grade 12 AP Physics C course with Electricity and Magnetism |
| Physics C E&M | 68 | 88% | Shares one grade 12 AP Physics C course with Mechanics |
| CS A | 61 | 95% | |
| World History | 22 | 100% | |
| 2-D Design | 17 | 88% | Shares one AP Studio Art course with Drawing |
| Drawing | 17 | 100% | Shares one AP Studio Art course with 2-D Design |
| French | 14 | 79% | |
| Music Theory | 14 | 93% | |
| 3-D Design | 6 | 100% |
Grade Levels Offered
Grade 10 has a single AP option, AP Human Geography, which the school calls the "grade 10 choice." The large majority of AP courses are for grades 11 and 12. AP Precalculus, AP Statistics, AP Computer Science Principles, and AP Computer Science A open from grade 10 subject to math prerequisites. Restricted to grade 12 are AP Physics C, AP English Language, AP United States Government together with Honors Political Economy, AP 3-D Design, and Honors Engineering Design and Development. Grade 9 students may not sit an AP exam at the school unless they have taken the course or the Irvine Unified School District GATE office approves it on the basis of existing preparation..
Portola High School does not set a written cap on the number of AP courses; the practical limit comes from the schedule. Students usually take at most 6 courses per semester, and a 7th or 8th course may be chosen only from performing arts, varsity athletics, student government, the school newspaper, film and television production, business programs, and visual arts, so 4 to 5 AP courses per year in grades 11 and 12 is the realistic maximum.
Entry Requirements for Each AP Course
The requirements below come from the 2026-27 course catalog. CP refers to College Prep courses, EOC refers to the end-of-course exam, and SMP refers to the Standards for Mathematical Practice assessment.
| AP course (grades offered) | Entry requirements |
|---|---|
| AP Human Geography (grades 10 to 12) | Teacher recommendation strongly advised; transfers back to Honors or CP American History must be made on or before September 15 |
| AP English Literature (grade 11) | No firm prerequisite is listed in the course catalog; placement considers AP-level reading and writing ability |
| AP English Language (grade 12) | Limited to 12th grade; placement considers AP-level reading and writing ability |
| AP US History (grades 11 to 12) | Strongly advised: a writing grade of B or higher and an A in the previous social science course, or a teacher recommendation; not a firm requirement |
| AP World History (grades 11 to 12) | Strongly advised: a writing grade of B or higher and an A in the previous social science course, or a teacher recommendation; not a firm requirement |
| AP Psychology (grades 11 to 12) | Strongly advised: a writing grade of B or higher and an A in the previous social science course, or a teacher recommendation; not a firm requirement |
| AP Economics (grades 11 to 12) | Strongly advised: a writing grade of B or higher and an A in the previous social science course, or a teacher recommendation; not a firm requirement |
| AP Government (grade 12) | Limited to 12th grade; recommended criteria as above; offered as a pair with Honors Political Economy |
| AP Physics 1 (grades 11 to 12) | Concurrent enrollment in Math III or higher and a teacher recommendation; completion of Math III, or an A in Math II and an A with the chemistry honors designation, is recommended |
| AP Physics C (grade 12) | Limited to 12th grade; concurrent enrollment in calculus or higher and a grade of C or higher in AP Physics 1. One course prepares students for both the Mechanics and the Electricity and Magnetism exams |
| AP Biology (grades 11 to 12) | An average of B- or higher in Chemistry in the Earth System and Living Earth, completion of or concurrent enrollment in Physics in the Universe or AP Physics 1, and a teacher recommendation |
| AP Chemistry (grades 11 to 12) | Passing grades in a full year of chemistry and a teacher recommendation, with completion of or concurrent enrollment in Physics in the Universe or AP Physics 1; a chemistry grade of 3.0 or higher is recommended |
| AP Environmental Science (grades 11 to 12) | Passing grades in Living Earth and chemistry, completion of or concurrent enrollment in Physics in the Universe or AP Physics 1, and a teacher recommendation |
| AP Precalculus (grades 10 to 12) | From Enhanced Math II: meet two of three criteria: B- or higher in both semesters, 85% on the EOC, and SMP; from Math III: C or higher in both semesters, although the school recommends an A |
| AP Calculus AB / BC (grades 11 to 12) | From AP Precalculus: meet two of three criteria: 85% on the EOC, a teacher recommendation, and C or higher in both semesters (B or higher for BC) |
| AP Statistics (grades 10 to 12) | B or higher in Math III or Enhanced Math II and a math teacher recommendation |
| AP Computer Science Principles (grades 10 to 12) | A or higher in Math III, B or higher in both semesters of Enhanced Math II, or completion of Exploring Computer Science with a teacher recommendation; students must be enrolled in the course to submit the portfolio |
| AP Computer Science A (grades 10 to 12) | B or higher in Math III or Enhanced Math II with programming experience, or B or higher in AP Computer Science Principles |
| AP Chinese (grades 11 to 12) | C or higher in Chinese 3 and a teacher recommendation; listed in the course catalog as 'may be offered,' depending on enrollment each year |
| AP French (grades 11 to 12) | C or higher in French 3 and a teacher recommendation; listed in the course catalog as 'may be offered,' depending on enrollment each year |
| AP Spanish Language (grades 11 to 12) | C or higher in Spanish 3 and a teacher recommendation |
| AP Studio Art: Drawing / 2-D Design (grades 11 to 12) | An A or B in Advanced Art Portfolio Preparation or Honors Modern and Contemporary Art, with teacher approval |
| AP 3-D Design (grade 12) | Completion of Advanced Ceramics or Functional Ceramics |
| AP Music Theory (grades 11 to 12) | Basic vocal or instrumental performance ability and the signature of the supervising teacher |
AP Courses Not Offered at the School
- Physics 2
- Art History
- European History
- Latin
- Japanese
- German
- Seminar / Research
Notably, students sat for exams in 34 AP subjects in 2026, six more than the 28 courses offered on campus, which indicates that some students each year complete coursework outside school and return to take the exam. The school has not identified those six subjects. Students who wish to take these exams need to complete the coursework outside school; self-study registration costs $150 per exam, more than the $110 fee for students enrolled in the course. EDUBUS can help families choose the most cost-effective outside AP credit courses and arrange testing sites and registration for outside AP exams; details appear below.
AP Course List (from the Course Catalog)
English Language Arts
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP English Literature & Composition | AP | 11 | None listed; considerations for AP levelHonors point (+); 2-3 hr/wk HW; taught in 11th at PHS | b |
| AP English Language & Composition | AP | 12 | None listed; considerations for AP levelHonors point (+); 12th grade only; 2 hr/wk HW | b |
Mathematics
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Precalculus | AP | 10-12 | From Math II via HS Summer Bridge (A- both sems, EOC 85%, SMPs to qualify; then B-/85%/SMPs); from Enhanced Math II meet 2 of 3 (B- both sems, EOC 85%, SMPs); from Math III C or better both sems (A's recommended)Honors point (+); 4-5 hr/wk HW; ^10th-grade AP option per profile | c |
| AP Calculus AB | AP | 11-12 | From AP Precalc: 2 of 3 (85% EOC, teacher rec, C or better both sems); from CP Precalc: teacher rec if not A both semsHonors point; 4-5 hr/wk; TI-84+ | c |
| AP Calculus BC | AP | 11-12 | From AP Precalc: 2 of 3 (85% EOC, teacher rec, B or better both sems); from AP Calc AB: teacher rec + B or better both semsHonors point; 4-5 hr/wk | c |
| AP Statistics | AP | 10-12 | B or better in Math 3 OR Enhanced Math II and math teacher recommendationHonors point; ~1.5 hr/wk recommended | c |
| AP Computer Science Principles | AP | 10-12 | A or higher in Math III or B or higher in Enhanced Math II (both sems) or ECS with teacher recHonors point; <1 hr/wk; must be enrolled to take AP exam (portfolio) | g |
| AP Computer Science A | AP | 10-12 | B or better in Math 3 or Enhanced Math II AND prior programming experience, OR B or better in AP CSPHonors point; Java; listed 11-12 in electives table | g |
Science
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Physics 1 | AP | 11-12 | Concurrent enrollment in Math 3 or above + teacher rec; recommended: completed Math 3 OR A in Math 2 and Honors A in ChemistryHonors point; 3+ hr/wk; can be taken in 12th if not ready in 11th | d |
| AP Biology | AP | 11-12 | Avg B- or better in Chem of Earth + Living Earth OR admin approval; completion/concurrent Physics in the Universe or AP Physics 1; teacher recHonors point; 2 hr/wk; A's recommended | d |
| AP Chemistry | AP | 11-12 | Passing yearlong chemistry; teacher rec; passing/concurrent Physics in the Universe or AP Physics 1; recommended 3.0+ in ChemHonors point; 3+ hr/wk; 16+ labs | d |
| AP Environmental Science | AP | 11-12 | Passing Living Earth & Chem; completion/concurrent Physics or AP Physics 1; teacher recHonors point; 3+ hr/wk | d |
| AP Physics C: Mechanics & Electricity/Magnetism | AP | 12 | Concurrent enrollment in Calculus or higher AND AP Physics 1 with C or betterHonors point; one course prepares for both Physics C exams; 6+ hr/wk; 12th only | d |
Social Studies
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Human Geography | AP | 10-12 | Teacher recommendation highly recommendedHonors point; 3-4 hr/wk; the 10th-grade AP option; can switch to H/CP American History only on/before Sept 15 | a |
| AP United States History | AP | 11-12 | Highly recommended: B in writing and A in previous SS course or teacher recHonors point; 3-4 hr/wk | a |
| AP World History: Modern | AP | 11-12 | Highly recommended: B in writing and A in previous SS or teacher recHonors point; 1-3 hr/wk; elective | a |
| AP Government / Honors Political Economy | AP | 12 | Highly recommended: B in writing and A in previous SS or teacher recHonors point; 12th only; 2+ hr/wk | a/g |
| AP Psychology | AP | 11-12 | Highly recommended: B in writing and A in previous SS or teacher recHonors point; 2+ hr/wk | g |
| AP Economics (Macro + Micro) | AP | 11-12 | Highly recommended: B in writing and A in previous SS or teacher recHonors point; yearlong course preparing for both AP Macro and AP Micro exams | g |
| AP African American Studies | AP | 11-12 | None statedYearlong; 1-3 hr/wk; not listed on 2026-27 profile AP list | g |
Performing Arts
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Music Theory | AP | 11-12 | Basic voice/instrument performance skills; signed director approvalHonors point (listed as AP on profile); must be enrolled to take exam | f |
Visual Arts
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Studio Art: Drawing or 2D Design | AP | 11-12 | A or B in Art Portfolio Prep or H Modern Contemporary Art AND teacher approvalHonors point; 2-4 hr/wk; must be enrolled to submit AP portfolio | f |
| AP 3D Design | AP | 11-12 | Advanced Ceramics or Ceramics as Functional ArtHonors point; 12th-grade option per profile (+) | f |
World Language
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Chinese Language & Culture | AP | 11-12 | C or better in Chinese 3Honors point; * possible course; profile lists as 12th-grade AP | e |
| AP French Language & Culture | AP | 11-12 | French 3 recommendedHonors point; * possible course | e |
| AP Spanish Language and Culture | AP | 11-12 | C or higher in Spanish 3 and teacher recHonors point; conducted in Spanish | e |
AP Combinations by Intended Major
Both tracks include AP English Literature in 11th grade. Because Portola High School places AP English Literature in 11th grade and AP English Language in 12th grade, the reverse of most schools, the 11th-grade writing load will be heavier than many parents expect, and students should stabilize their writing grades in English 2 during 10th grade.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Irvine Unified School District, can 9th graders at Portola High School take AP courses?
No. Portola High School's AP courses are open to grades 10 through 12, and there are no AP courses in 9th grade. Students in 9th grade also cannot take AP exams at school unless they are enrolled in the corresponding course or receive approval from the Irvine Unified School District GATE office based on their existing preparation. This differs from some schools that allow 9th graders to self-study and register for exams, so families should confirm this point early in their planning.
Which AP courses can 10th graders take at Portola High School?
Portola High School's School Profile designates AP Human Geography as the 10th-grade AP option, which the school calls 'the 10th-grade choice.' In addition, AP Precalculus, AP Statistics, AP Computer Science Principles, and AP Computer Science A are open from 10th grade to students who meet math grade requirements. Most other AP courses are concentrated in grades 11 and 12, and AP Physics C, AP English Language, AP Government, and AP 3-D Design are limited to 12th grade.
Which AP courses does Portola High School not offer?
According to the 2026-27 School Profile, the 28 AP courses offered at Portola High School do not include AP Physics 2, AP Art History, AP European History, AP Latin, AP Japanese, AP German, or AP Seminar / Research. The school reports that students sat for exams in 34 AP subjects in 2026, six more than the 28 courses offered on campus, which indicates that some students each year complete coursework outside school and return to take the exam; the school has not identified those six subjects.
Which AP exams have lower pass rates at Portola High School?
In 2026, the subjects with the lowest shares of scores of 3 or higher at Portola High School were AP Spanish Language at 62%, AP French at 79%, AP Macroeconomics at 81%, AP Microeconomics at 81%, and AP Physics C Mechanics and Electricity and Magnetism at 88% each. The two economics exams are prepared through a single AP Economics course and together account for nearly 300 exams, the largest group of AP exams at the school, yet their pass rates are clearly lower than those of other subjects, so students should prepare before enrolling.
What are the AP exam registration deadlines and fees at Portola High School?
Portola High School has two AP exam registration windows: the fall window runs from October 12 to October 26, and the spring window runs from February 16 to February 23 with a $40 late fee. Fees are $110 per exam for students enrolled in the course, $150 per exam for self-study registration, and $55 per exam for students eligible for free or reduced-price meals. The 2027 AP exams take place from May 3 to May 14, with late testing from May 18 to 22.
