Tustin Unified School District · Public high school · College planning guide
Arnold O. Beckman High School 2026-27 Course Map and Rules
The 159 Arnold O. Beckman High School courses for 2026-27 by department, with the weighted-course cap, 230-credit graduation rule, and outside-course rules.
The 2026-27 Course Catalog of Arnold O. Beckman High School (hereafter Beckman High School) lists 159 courses across twelve departments, including nine Irvine Valley College dual credit courses taught on campus. The school has no department-level course web pages, so the catalog is the authoritative source for all course information. This page first explains the course selection rules and then presents the complete course map. The rules are where families most often make mistakes, especially the weighted-course cap and the rules for outside courses, both of which differ completely from the Irvine Unified School District.
Course Selection Rules
Course load
Students in grades 9 through 11 must take 6 courses each semester; 12th graders may take 5 courses if they have sufficient credits and have approval from a parent and their counselor.
7th course
A maximum of 7 courses (the seventh is scheduled in Period 0, which begins at 7:26 a.m.); community college courses also count toward these 7 slots.
Schedule format
The school runs on a six-period schedule. Semester courses run about 18 weeks and year-long courses 36 weeks. Students in instrumental music, varsity athletics, yearbook, the Associated Student Body (ASB), AVID, and the Early College program may take one additional course.
Minimum on-campus courses
All students must take at least 4 courses on campus.
Placement criteria
Placement in Honors and AP courses is based on the grade earned in the preceding course, and each department has its own prerequisite recommendations. District policy requires placement recommendations to consider three types of data: school assessments, state tests, and grades.
Changing levels
The English, mathematics, science, and social science departments all state that students in Honors or AP courses who are performing poorly at the mid-semester point will be moved to a regular course at the same grade level, subject to space availability.
Drop records
District general policy: dropping an elective after the third Friday of the semester is recorded as W/F; dropping a core course (English, mathematics, science, or history) beginning the Monday after the first progress report is recorded as W/F.
Outside and community college courses
Off-campus courses require the principal's prior written approval. Courses that satisfy district graduation requirements must be taken on a district campus. Community college courses may not be used to accelerate or to repeat a course, nor to satisfy graduation requirements; over four years, no more than 2 community college courses may be recorded on the transcript, with at most 1 per semester during the school year and at most 2 in the summer.
Repeating courses
When a course is repeated to improve the grade, credit is awarded based on the higher grade.
None of the five Irvine public high schools has an equivalent rule. Irvine Unified School District schools limit AP counts naturally through schedule constraints, whereas Beckman High School sets the limit in writing and requires a signed waiver. The planning consequence: grade 9 has only two weighted slots, so AP Biology, AP Human Geography, English 1H, and honors math need to be ranked by priority in advance.
Graduation Requirements (230 Credits)
Subject
Credits
English
40
Math (must complete Algebra 1 and Geometry)
20
Physical and Life Science
30
World History
10
US History
10
Government
5
Economics
5
Physical Education
20
Fine Arts or World Language
20
Electives
70
Each course passed earns 5 credits per semester. Students in grades 9 through 11 must take a full load of 6 courses each semester, in at least six of the eight semesters, to reach 230 credits.. Tustin Unified School District does not allow varsity athletics to substitute for physical education credit; varsity athletics courses earn elective credit only, and all students must complete two years of physical education..
Graduation requirements and college admission requirements are two separate standards. The Tustin Unified School District requires 230 credits for graduation, 5 more than the 225 credits required by the Irvine Unified School District starting with the Class of 2027, but math requires only two years, with completion of Algebra 1 and Geometry, while University of California A-G requirements call for three years of math, with four recommended. The arts or world language category requires 20 credits over two years, also more than the 10 credits over one year required by the Irvine Unified School District. Course planning should follow the A-G standard.
Course Levels by Department
In the pathways below, CP stands for College Prep (the regular level), H refers to honors courses, and AP refers to Advanced Placement courses. In the course catalog, BHS Only means a course is weighted only at the school, and BHS / UC means it is also certified by the University of California.
English
Grade 9: English 1, or English 1H (requires a B or better in 8th grade English)
Grade 10: English 2, or English 2H (requires a B or better in English 1H or an A in English 1)
Grade 11: English 3, or English 3H (requires a B or better in English 2H or an A in English 2)
Grade 12: Expository Reading and Writing Course (ERWC), or AP English Literature (requires a B or better in the previous English course)
Social Science
Grade 9: no required history course; students who want early exposure to AP may choose AP Human Geography
Grade 10: World History, or AP World History (requires a B or better in the previous English course)
Grade 11: US History, or AP US History (requires a B or better in both World History and the previous English course)
Grade 12: the semester courses Government and Economics, or AP Government and AP Economics (the AP Microeconomics exam); both options require a B or better in US History
Science (Standard Sequence)
Grade 9: Biology
Grade 10: Chemistry
Grade 11: Physics (requires concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2/Trigonometry) or Forensic Science
Grade 12: Forensic Science, AP Environmental Science, or no further science course
Science (Most Rigorous Sequence)
Grade 9: AP Biology, for students with a B or better in 8th grade science and math and strong study habits; students may also take regular Biology first
Grade 10: Chemistry H (requires a B or better in Biology) or AP Chemistry (requires a C or better in Chemistry)
Grade 11: AP Physics 1 (requires a B or better in both Biology and Chemistry)
Grade 12: AP Environmental Science, AP Chemistry, or AP Biology
Prerequisites for honors and AP science courses:
Course (grades offered)
Prerequisites
AP Biology (grade 9 or 12)
A grade of B or better in 8th grade science and math, with strong study habits and an interest in science
AP Chemistry (grades 10 to 12)
A grade of C or better in Chemistry
AP Physics 1 (grades 11 to 12)
A grade of B or better in both Biology and Chemistry
AP Environmental Science (grade 12)
A grade of C or better in both Biology and Chemistry
Chemistry H (grade 10)
A grade of B or better in Biology
Two points about English need particular attention. First, Beckman High School does not offer AP English Language; AP English Literature in grade 12 is the only English AP course, and the other option is the California State University Expository Reading and Writing Course (ERWC). Second, the thresholds for honors English are sequential: English 1H requires a grade of B or higher in grade 8 English, English 2H requires a B in English 1H or an A in CP English 1, and English 3H follows the same pattern. Joining the sequence midway is harder than entering at the start.
Math courses are covered on a separate page: Math Pathways. Three world languages are offered: French 1-3 + AP French Language; Chinese 1-3 + Chinese 4H + AP Chinese Language; Spanish 1-3 + AP Spanish Language; Spanish for Native Speakers 2-3, counted by the University of California as two and three years of language other than English, respectively. The school does not offer Latin, Japanese, German, or American Sign Language.
Complete Course Map
Organized by department. Each course lists its level, grades offered, prerequisites, and UC A-G category. Dark labels mark AP courses, yellow labels mark honors courses, and blue labels mark community college dual credit courses.
English 8 courses
Course
Level
Grades
Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes
UC A-G
AP English Literature & Composition
AP
12
B Grade or better in previous English courseCourse 1244; weighted at BHS and UC-approved for an honors point
B
English 1H
Honors
9
Grade of B or better in 8th grade EnglishCourse 1202; weighted at BHS; not a UC-approved honors course (no UC honors point)
B
English 2H
Honors
10
B Grade or better in English 1H or A Grade in English 1Course 1205; weighted at BHS and UC-approved for an honors point
B
English 3H
Honors
11
B Grade or better in English 2H or A Grade in English 2Course 1208; weighted at BHS and UC-approved for an honors point
B
English 1
CP
9
—Course 1200
B
English 2
CP
10
—Course 1203
B
English 3
CP
11
—Course 1207
B
ERWC (Expository Reading & Writing Course, English 4)
CP
12
—Course 1213
B
Mathematics 13 courses
Course
Level
Grades
Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes
UC A-G
AP Calculus AB
AP
10-12
Grade of B or better in Pre-Calculus or C or better in Pre-Calculus H.Course 1530; weighted at BHS and UC-approved for an honors point
C
AP Calculus BC
AP
10-12
Grade of B or better in Pre-Calculus H.Course 1531; weighted at BHS and UC-approved for an honors point
C
AP Statistics
AP
11-12
Grade of C or better in Pre-Calculus or Alg. 2/Trig.Course 1536; weighted at BHS and UC-approved for an honors point
C
Algebra 1H
Honors
9
BHS Recommendation – strong performance in 8th grade Math (A or B recommended)Course 1504H; weighted at BHS; not a UC-approved honors course (no UC honors point)
C
Geometry H
Honors
9-10
A Grade in Algebra 1Course 1505; weighted at BHS; not a UC-approved honors course (no UC honors point)
C
Algebra 2/Trigonometry H
Honors
9-12
A Grade in GeometryCourse 1550H; weighted at BHS; not a UC-approved honors course (no UC honors point)
C
Pre-Calculus H
Honors
9-12
Grade of B or better in Alg. 2/Trig. HonorsCourse 1529; weighted at BHS and UC-approved for an honors point
C
Algebra 1
CP
9-12
—Course 1504
C
Geometry
CP
9-12
Successful completion of Algebra 1Course 1506
C
Algebra 2/Trigonometry
CP
9-12
Successful completion of GeometryCourse 1550
C
Pre-Calculus
CP
9-12
Successful completion of Alg. 2/Trig.Course 1533
C
Applied Calculus
CP
11-12
Successful completion of Pre-CalculusCourse 1534
C
Statistical Reasoning
CP
11-12
—Course 9026
C
Science 9 courses
Course
Level
Grades
Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes
UC A-G
AP Biology
AP
9 or 12
BHS Recommendation – Strong interest in science, excellent study habits, and B or better in 8th grade science and mathCourse 1726; weighted at BHS and UC-approved for an honors point
D
AP Chemistry
AP
10-12
Grade of C or better in ChemistryCourse 1703; weighted at BHS and UC-approved for an honors point
D
AP Physics 1
AP
11-12
Grade of B or better in Biology and ChemistryCourse 1727; weighted at BHS and UC-approved for an honors point
D
AP Environmental Science
AP
12
Grade of C or better in Biology and ChemistryCourse 1738; weighted at BHS and UC-approved for an honors point
D
Chemistry H
Honors
10
Grade of B or better in BiologyCourse 1732; weighted at BHS and UC-approved for an honors point
D
Biology
CP
9
—Course 1700
D
Chemistry
CP
10
Successful completion of BiologyCourse 1702
D
Physics
CP
11-12
Concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2/TrigonometryCourse 1713
D
Forensic Science
CP
11-12
Successful completion of two other years of ScienceCourse 1739D
D
History & Social Science 8 courses
Course
Level
Grades
Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes
UC A-G
AP World History
AP
10
BHS Recommendation – completion of previous English course with a grade of B or better.Course 1827; weighted at BHS and UC-approved for an honors point
A
AP US History
AP
11
BHS Recommendation – completion of World History and previous English course with a grade of B or betterCourse 1811; weighted at BHS and UC-approved for an honors point
A
AP Government
AP
12
BHS Recommendation – completion of US History with a grade of B or betterCourse 1820; weighted at BHS and UC-approved for an honors point
A
AP Economics
AP
12
BHS Recommendation – completion of US History with a grade of B or betterCourse 1823; weighted at BHS and UC-approved for an honors point
G
World History
CP
10
—Course 1824
A
US History
CP
11
—Course 1826
A
Government
CP
12
—Course 1800
A
Economics
CP
12
—Course 1803
G
ELD / Language Development 4 courses
Course
Level
Grades
Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes
UC A-G
ELD A
Other
9-12
Level 1 score on ELPACCourse 1037
—
ELD B
Other
9-12
Level 2 score on ELPACCourse 1038
—
ELD C
Other
9-12
Level 3 score on ELPACCourse 1039
—
Language Development Academic Support (ELDAS)
Other
9-12
Level 4 score on ELPACCourse 1050
—
Physical Education 2 courses
Course
Level
Grades
Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes
UC A-G
PE Course 1
Other
9
—Course 1600
—
PE Course 2
Other
10-12
—Course 1601
—
World Language 15 courses
Course
Level
Grades
Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes
UC A-G
AP French Language
AP
9-12
Grade of B or better in French Level 3, or Teacher ApprovalCourse 1406; weighted at BHS and UC-approved for an honors point
E
AP Chinese Language
AP
9-12
Grade of B or better in Chinese Level 4, or Teacher ApprovalCourse 1433; weighted at BHS and UC-approved for an honors point
E
AP Spanish Language
AP
9-12
Grade of B or better in Spanish 3 or SNS 3, or Teacher ApprovalCourse 1420; weighted at BHS and UC-approved for an honors point
E
Chinese 4H
Honors
9-12
Grade of B or better in Chinese Level 3, or Teacher ApprovalCourse 1432; weighted at BHS; not a UC-approved honors course (no UC honors point)
E
French 1
CP
9-12
—Course 1400
E
French 2
CP
9-12
Successful completion of French Level 1, or Teacher ApprovalCourse 1401
E
French 3
CP
9-12
Successful completion of French Level 2, or Teacher ApprovalCourse 1402
E
Chinese 1
CP
9-12
—Course 1427
E
Chinese 2
CP
9-12
Successful completion of Chinese Level 1, or Teacher ApprovalCourse 1428
E
Chinese 3
CP
9-12
Successful completion of Chinese Level 2, or Teacher ApprovalCourse 1431
E
Spanish 1
CP
9-12
—Course 1414
E
Spanish 2
CP
9-12
Successful completion of Spanish Level 1Course 1415
E
Spanish 3
CP
9-12
Successful completion of Spanish Level 2Course 1416
E
Spanish for Native Speakers 2
CP
9-12
Placement based on proficiency exam results, or Teacher ApprovalCourse 1443
E
Spanish for Native Speakers 3
CP
9-12
Successful completion of Spanish for Native Speakers 2, or placement based on proficiency exam results, or Teacher ApprovalCourse 1444
E
Special Education 30 courses
Course
Level
Grades
Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes
UC A-G
Algebra 1 Ess.
Other
9-12
By approval onlyCourse 1574L
—
American Gov’t Ess.
Other
12
By approval onlyCourse 1551L
—
APD Algebra 1
Other
9-12
By approval onlyCourse 1538A
—
APD English 1
Other
9-12
By approval onlyCourse 1552A
—
APD English 2
Other
9-12
By approval onlyCourse 1553A
—
APD English 3
Other
9-12
By approval onlyCourse 1554A
—
APD Life Sci.
Other
9-12
By approval onlyCourse 1580A
—
APD Math Found.
Other
9-12
By approval onlyCourse 1558A
—
APD US Hist.
Other
9-12
By approval onlyCourse 1563A
—
APD World Hist.
Other
9-12
By approval onlyCourse 1542A
—
Career Planning
Other
11-12
By approval onlyCourse 9010
—
Directed Studies
Other
9-12
By approval onlyCourse 1571R
—
Directed Studies (with Lang. Support)
Other
9-12
By approval onlyCourse 1590
—
Earth Science Ess.
Other
10-12
By approval onlyCourse 1579L
—
Economics Ess.
Other
12
By approval onlyCourse 1553L
—
English Ess.
Other
9-12
By approval onlyCourse 1552L
—
English Func.
Other
9-12
By approval onlyCourse 1552F
—
Geometry Ess.
Other
9-12
By approval onlyCourse 1576L
—
Ind. Living Func.
Other
9-12
By approval onlyCourse 1561F
—
Life Science Ess.
Other
9-12
By approval onlyCourse 1580L
—
Life Skills Func.
Other
9-12
By approval onlyCourse 1565F
—
Math Ess.
Other
9-12
By approval onlyCourse 1558L
—
Math Func.
Other
9-12
By approval onlyCourse 1558F
—
Oceanography Ess.
Other
11-12
By approval onlyCourse 1723L
—
Res/App Ess.
Other
11-12
By approval onlyCourse 1575L
—
Res/App Func.
Other
11-12
By approval onlyCourse 1575L
—
Science Func.
Other
9-12
By approval onlyCourse 1560F
—
Soc. Sci. Func.
Other
9-12
By approval onlyCourse 1562F
—
US Hist. Ess.
Other
11-12
By approval onlyCourse 1563L
—
World Hist. Ess.
Other
10-12
By approval onlyCourse 1542L
—
Career Technical Education 9 courses
Course
Level
Grades
Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes
UC A-G
AP Computer Science Principles
AP
11-12
BHS Recommendation - Completion of Alg. 2/Trig. with a grade of B or better. Students should have strong problem-solving skills and be comfortable using technology for creative and analytical tasks.Course 1115BH; weighted at BHS and UC-approved for an honors point
D
AP Computer Science A
AP
11-12
Preferred completion of AP Comp. Sci. Principles, Calculus AB, or Calculus BC, or Teacher Approval.Course 1115; weighted at BHS and UC-approved for an honors point
C
Kinesiology / Nutrition 2 (IVC)
Dual Enrollment
12
Teacher ApprovalCourse 9230/9235; weighted at BHS; not a UC-approved honors course (no UC honors point)
—
Principles of Engineering (PLTW)
CTE
9-11 (priority given to 9th)
BHS Recommendation - Strong interest in Engineering and STEM related topics.Course 1121
D
Engineering Design & Development
CTE
10-12
Successful completion of Principles of EngineeringCourse 1131F
F
Human Body Systems
CTE
9-12 (priority will be given to 9th graders)
—Course 1123
D
Sports Medicine (ROP)
CTE
11-12 (priority will be given to students who are in the pathway)
—Course 1957D
D
Robotics
CTE
9-12
Application basedCourse 1130
—
Adv. Robotics
CTE
10-12
Application basedCourse 1380
G
Visual & Performing Arts 33 courses
Course
Level
Grades
Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes
UC A-G
AP Studio Art: Drawing & Painting
AP
11-12
Successful completion of Adv. Draw. & Paint.Course 1367; weighted at BHS and UC-approved for an honors point
F
AP Studio Art: Graphic Design
AP
11-12
Teacher ApprovalCourse 1368; weighted at BHS and UC-approved for an honors point
F
AP Studio Art: Photography
AP
9-12
Teacher ApprovalCourse 1369; weighted at BHS and UC-approved for an honors point
F
Exploration of Art
CP
9-12
—Course 1361
F
Drawing & Painting
CP
10-12
Successful completion of Exploration of ArtCourse 1301
F
Adv. Drawing & Painting
CP
11-12
Successful completion of Draw. & Paint.Course 1302
F
Drama
CP
9-12
—Course 1329
F
Stagecraft
CP
10-12
—Course 1327
F
Drama Workshop
CP
10-12
Teacher Approval / Audition for incoming 9th gradersCourse 1326
F
Adv. Theater Arts
CP
10-12
AuditionCourse 1328
F
Mixed Chorus
CP
9-12
—Course 1341
F
Adv. Treble Choir
CP
9-12
Teacher ApprovalCourse 1346
F
Madrigals
CP
9-12
AuditionCourse 1342
F
Concert Orchestra
CP
9-12
—Course 1350
F
Symphonic Orchestra
CP
10-12
Teacher ApprovalCourse 1364
F
Chamber Orchestra
CP
10-12
Teacher Approval / Audition for incoming 9th gradersCourse 1326
F
Symphonic Band
CP
9-12
—Course 1347
F
Wind Ensemble
CP
9-12
Teacher ApprovalCourse 1348
F
Band (Marching)
CP
9-12
—Course 1335
—
Jazz Ensemble
CP
9-12
Teacher ApprovalCourse 1349
F
Graphic Design 1
CP
9-12
—Course 1155
F
Graphic Design 2
CP
10-12
Successful completion of Graphic Design 1 and teacher recommendationCourse 1156
F
Graphic Design 3
CP
11-12
Successful completion of Graphic Design 2 and teacher recommendationCourse 1157
F
Study of TV and Film Making
CP
9-12
—Course 1334
F
Digital Filmmaking
CP
10-12
Teacher ApprovalCourse 1371FG
F
Independent Filmmaking
CP
11-12
Teacher ApprovalCourse 1372
F
Photo Design 1
CP
9-12
—Course 1158
F
Visual Imagery
CP
10-12
Successful completion of Photo Design 1 and teacher recommendationCourse 1360
F
Adv. Visual Imagery
CP
11-12
Successful completion of Visual Imagery and teacher recommendationCourse 1366
F
Film Analysis
CP
11-12
—Course 1351
F
Guitar
CP
11-12
—Course 1365
F
Music Appreciation
CP
11-12
—Course 1345
F
Colorguard
Other
9-12
—Course 5621
—
General Electives 19 courses
Course
Level
Grades
Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes
UC A-G
AP Human Geography
AP
9-12
BHS Recommendation - Strong reading and writing skills are recommended.Course 1840; weighted at BHS and UC-approved for an honors point
G
AP Psychology
AP
11-12 (Seniors get priority)
BHS Recommendation - Completion of at least one year of high school social science with a grade of B or better, and strong proficiency in reading and writing.Course 1841; weighted at BHS and UC-approved for an honors point
G
AVID 9
CP
9
None (Application based)Course 9401
G
AVID 10
CP
10
Completion of AVID 9Course 9402
G
AVID 11
CP
11
Completion of AVID 10Course 9403
G
AVID Senior Seminar
CP
12
Completion of AVID 11Course 9301
G
Ethnic Studies
CP
11-12
—Course 1460
G
Math Lab
CP
9-12
—Course 2600
G
Math Lab ELD
CP
9-12
—Course 2600A
G
Math Lab S
CP
9-12
—Course 2700
G
Math Lab S ELD
CP
9-12
—Course 2700A
G
Psychology
CP
11-12
—Course 1806
G
Sociology
CP
11-12
—Course 1808
G
ASB Leadership
Other
9-12
Teacher Approval (Application based)Course 1002
—
Yearbook 1
Other
9-12
Application basedCourse 1218
—
Yearbook 2
Other
10-12
Teacher ApprovalCourse 1219
—
Yearbook 3
Other
11-12
Teacher ApprovalCourse 1225
—
Peer Tutor
Other
11-12
Application basedCourse 1012
—
Office Experience
Other
11-12
Application basedCourse 1010
—
IVC Dual Enrollment 9 courses
Course
Level
Grades
Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes
UC A-G
Business (IVC MGT 1, fall)
Dual Enrollment
11-12 (seniors get priority)
—Dual enrollment on the BHS campus; C-ID BUS 110; counts as a weighted class toward the Healthy Limit
—
Business (IVC ENTR 200/211/212, spring)
Dual Enrollment
11-12 (seniors get priority)
Completion of IVC MGT 1Dual enrollment on the BHS campus; entrepreneurship sequence; counts as a weighted class toward the Healthy Limit
—
Counseling 10 (IVC COUN 10, fall)
Dual Enrollment
11-12 (seniors get priority)
—Dual enrollment on the BHS campus; study skills and learning strategies
—
Counseling 12 (IVC COUN 12, spring)
Dual Enrollment
11-12 (seniors get priority)
—Dual enrollment on the BHS campus; major and career decision making
—
Criminal Law (IVC AJ 4, fall)
Dual Enrollment
11-12 (seniors get priority)
—Dual enrollment on the BHS campus; C-ID AJ 120
—
Criminal Law (IVC AJ 16, spring)
Dual Enrollment
11-12 (seniors get priority)
—Dual enrollment on the BHS campus; law for living
—
Dance 77 (IVC)
Dual Enrollment
11-12 (seniors get priority in fall)
—Dual enrollment on the BHS campus; one semester only; history of twentieth-century dance
—
Human Development (IVC HD 7, fall)
Dual Enrollment
11-12
—Dual enrollment on the BHS campus; C-ID CDEV 100; also listed as PSYC 7
—
Human Development (IVC HD 15, spring)
Dual Enrollment
11-12
—Dual enrollment on the BHS campus; C-ID CDEV 110; also listed as SOC 15
—
Course Selection Timeline
Grade 8
3/16-3/17The principal visits Orchard Hills School and Pioneer Middle School to explain the course selection process to parents
3/248th Grade Parent Night, with 15 breakout sessions covering mathematics, science, world languages, AP Human Geography, Early College, and robotics
3/27Beckman Robotics 2496 application deadline for incoming students
4/17IVC Early College application deadline; on-campus writing assessment on 4/22
7/27 and 7/29Link Crew freshman orientation and 9th grade registration days
Grade 9
FallB Prepared for High School Parent Night, Back to School Night, and Report Card Night
November-DecemberCounselors visit Biology classes to create a four-year plan with each student
January9th grade parent meeting with counselors (Coffee with Counselors)
SpringSelect 10th grade courses in the Aeries Academic Plan; students exceeding the weighted course limit must submit a waiver
Grade 10
OctoberThe school recommends taking the PSAT
WinterB Prepared parent presentation for grades 10 and 11; 10th grade parent meeting with counselors
SpringSelect 11th grade courses and decide whether to enroll in summer courses
Grade 11
OctoberPSAT/NMSQT, the only qualifying test for National Merit
11/6AP exam registration and payment deadline
Spring semesterComplete BCAP in English class: résumé, personal statement, and the recommendation letter process
AprilCalifornia state assessments (CAASPP); AP exams in May
Grade 12
September-OctoberCollege information sessions on campus and the College and Career Fair
October-NovemberSubmit early and regular applications; transcripts and counselor materials are due by the deadlines posted by the counseling office
JanuarySenior Letter, 12th grade parent presentation, and Coffee with Counselors
MayAP exams; then confirm that final transcripts are sent
Frequently Asked Questions
When Irvine families compare Beckman High School with their own district's high schools, is the number of courses per semester the same?
Not entirely, because this school belongs to the Tustin Unified School District rather than the Irvine Unified School District, and its schedule structure is set by its own district. Beckman High School runs a six-period schedule; students in grades 9 to 11 must take 6 courses each semester, and grade 12 students with sufficient credits may take 5 with parent and counselor approval. The maximum is 7 courses, and the 7th can only be scheduled in Period 0, which starts at 7:26 a.m. Weighted courses are also subject to the Healthy Limit: 2 in grade 9, 3 in grades 10 to 11, and 4 in grade 12, with 1 more at each level after signing a waiver. EDUBUS advisors are based in Irvine, are also familiar with Tustin Unified School District rules, and can help families compare the course selection pacing of the two paths.
At Arnold O. Beckman High School, what happens when a student is struggling in an honors or AP course?
The Arnold O. Beckman High School course catalog states the same practice for English, math, science, and social science: students in honors or AP courses who are performing poorly at mid-semester are moved to a regular class in the same grade level, subject to space. The Tustin Unified School District general rule is that electives dropped after the third Friday of the semester are recorded as W/F, and core courses dropped from the Monday after the first progress report onward are recorded as W/F. The school has not published the specific dates for the 2026-27 school year.
Can community college courses be recorded on the Arnold O. Beckman High School transcript?
Arnold O. Beckman High School allows at most 2 community college courses to be recorded on the transcript over four years, with at most 1 per semester during the school year and at most 2 in summer, and these courses count toward the 7-course maximum and the Healthy Limit on weighted courses. Community college courses cannot be used to skip ahead, to repeat a course, or to meet district graduation requirements: a student cannot take Geometry at a community college to skip Geometry at the school, nor take Spanish 2 and then go directly into Spanish 3 at the school. Outside courses also require the principal's prior written approval.
How do Arnold O. Beckman High School graduation requirements differ from University of California A-G requirements?
Arnold O. Beckman High School requires 230 credits for graduation, with only 20 credits (two years) of math, which must include Algebra 1 and Geometry, and 20 credits (two years) of arts or world language combined. The University of California A-G requirements call for three years of math (four recommended), two years of the same world language (three recommended), and one year of arts, with a grade of C or higher in each course. In the 2024-25 school year, 96.96% of enrolled Arnold O. Beckman High School students were taking A-G courses, but only 73.58% of graduates completed all A-G courses; the gap arises mainly from the third year of math and the second year of world language.
Are all honors courses at Arnold O. Beckman High School recognized by the University of California?
No. All nine honors courses at Arnold O. Beckman High School are weighted at the school, but the course catalog divides them into two groups. English 2H, English 3H, Pre-Calculus H, and Chemistry H are marked BHS / UC, recognized by the University of California and eligible for honors points; English 1H, Algebra 1H, Geometry H, Algebra 2/Trigonometry H, and Chinese 4H are marked BHS Only and are weighted only at the school. The University of California recognizes at most 4 year-long courses for a total of 8 points, with at most 2 from grade 10.
Data verified on 2026-09-21. Course catalogs are updated each spring; prerequisites follow the school's current Course of Study.
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