Magnolia Science Academy Santa Ana does not publish a full high school course catalog on its website. The course table on this page is built on the 2026-27 University of California UC A-G course list, which includes 45 A-G courses, plus the two high school physical education courses and Advisory from the school’s course description document, for a total of 48 courses. Course selection rules, grading, and graduation requirements come from the Magnolia Public Schools 2026-27 Student-Parent Handbook. The school does not publish the grade levels or prerequisites for individual courses; in the table, only the English courses can be matched to a grade from their transcript titles.
Magnolia Science Academy Santa Ana Course Selection Rules
| Daily schedule | The secondary grades have six periods a day followed by an Advisory or Sustained Silent Reading (SSR) period, with dismissal at 3:46 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday; Wednesday is a minimum day with dismissal at 1:36 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Advisory | In Advisory, students create and update four-year plans, explore academic and career goals, record community service, and build a high school portfolio; the period also includes life skills instruction. Advisory earns 2.5 credits per semester |
| Credits | High school courses are semester-based, and each semester course earns 5 credits; Advisory and SSR earn 2.5 credits. A semester grade of C or higher is required to earn credit |
| Grades 11 and 12 | Students in grades 11 and 12 must be enrolled in at least five courses each semester, including Advisory; these may include school courses, online courses offered or approved by MPS, and community college, UC, or CSU courses. Students in grades 9 and 10 must stay on campus until regular dismissal |
| Math placement | Math placement follows the Magnolia Public Schools Mathematics Placement Policy: state test results, MAP scores, placement tests, math teacher recommendations, and the prior year's final math grade. A placement checkpoint is held within the first month of the school year |
| Changes after school starts | No schedule changes are made during the first five school days of a course, except for scheduling errors; after that, students have 10 school days to make necessary academic changes. A student may withdraw without an F within 15 school days of the start of the course and must remain in the course after that. The school does not consider changes to be with friends, to change teachers, for athletics, or to adjust arrival or departure times |
| Community college courses | Dual and concurrent enrollment requires a weighted cumulative GPA of at least 2.0, a counselor assessment of academic readiness and maturity, and counselor approval of the specific courses; approval is normally not given when an equivalent course is offered at the school. Students apply to the college, including any K-12 special admission form, and submit an official college transcript after the course ends |
| Failing grades and credit recovery | Courses already passed for credit normally may not be repeated; a course with an F or Incomplete (I) can be made up through summer school, accredited online courses such as Edgenuity, APEX Learning, or BYU, or community college courses, with counselor approval required for the grade to count in the GPA |
| Number of science courses | The school does not publish a cap on the number of science courses per year; the practical limit is the six-period daily schedule |
Magnolia Science Academy Santa Ana Graduation Requirements: Three Diplomas
Magnolia Public Schools high schools offer Standard, Advanced, and Honors Diplomas. The table below lists the credits for each category under the 2026-27 student handbook; each semester course earns 5 credits.
| Requirement | Standard Diploma | Advanced Diploma | Honors Diploma |
|---|---|---|---|
| (a) History / Social Science | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| (b) English | 40 | 40 | 40 |
| (c) Mathematics | 30 | 40 | 40 |
| (d) Laboratory Science | 20 | 30 | 30 |
| (e) Language Other Than English (same language) | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| (f) Visual and Performing Arts | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| (g) College-Preparatory Elective | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Physical Education | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Computers and Technology | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Total credits | 200 | 220 | 220 |
| AP or college course credits | Not required | 10 | 20 |
| California College/Career Indicator (CCI) | Not required | Prepared | Prepared |
| Minimum cumulative GPA | 2.00 | 3.25 | 3.50 |
| Community service | Not required | 40 hours | 40 hours |
Figures are credits; each semester course earns 5 credits. The seven categories (a) through (g) of the Standard Diploma match the UC and CSU A-G requirements, and the school adds two years of physical education and one year of computers and technology. Math courses and approved computer courses completed in grades 7 and 8 can satisfy part of these requirements. Beginning with the Class of 2030, one semester of Ethnic Studies is required, and beginning with the Class of 2031, one semester of Personal Finance is required; if not used for category (a) or (c), these courses can count as (g) electives. Community service hours can be earned once grade 8 is complete. Transferred courses with a D count only toward the Standard Diploma.
Compared with the Irvine Unified School District, two points matter most. First, the seven course categories of the Standard Diploma correspond to the UC and CSU A-G requirements, and a semester grade of C or higher is required for credit, so most students who graduate on time also meet A-G: 29 of the 35 graduates in the Class of 2024 did. Second, the Advanced and Honors Diplomas require four years of math, three years of laboratory science, and AP or college course credits, close to the course rigor UC recommends. Students preparing for the most competitive campuses should plan their four years to the Honors Diploma standard.
Magnolia Science Academy Santa Ana Course Levels by Subject
In the pathways below, CP means College Prep (regular), Honors means an honors section, and AP means Advanced Placement. The school weights all of its honors courses on a 5.0 scale, but only English 10 Honors and Honors Chemistry are UC-approved honors courses.
English
- Grade 9: English 1 (English 9) or Honors English 9 (weighted by the school, not by UC)
- Grade 10: English 2 (English 10) or English 10 Honors (weighted by both the school and UC)
- Grade 11: English 3 (English 11) or AP English Language and Composition
- Grade 12: English 4 (English 12); AP Seminar also counts toward UC A-G category b English
- English learners can take Advanced ELD, which counts toward UC A-G category b
Social Science
- World History or AP World History
- US History or AP United States History
- One semester of Government and one semester of Economics
- Human Geography, Psychology, Ethnic Studies, and Personal Finance count as UC A-G category g electives
Science
- Biology or Honors Biology
- Chemistry or Honors Chemistry
- Physics or Environmental Science
- AP Biology, which the course description notes is typically taken after a year of biology and a year of chemistry
Levels and UC A-G categories for science and computer courses (one course per row):
| Course | Notes |
|---|---|
| Honors Biology | UC A-G category d; weighted by the school, not by UC |
| Honors Chemistry | UC A-G category d; weighted by both the school and UC |
| AP Biology | UC A-G category d; typically taken after biology and chemistry |
| Physics | UC A-G category d; the 2026-27 A-G list has no honors physics or AP Physics |
| Environmental Science | UC A-G category d laboratory science |
| Computer Science Discoveries, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Cybersecurity | All three count toward UC A-G category d; UC accepts computer science and engineering courses as a third year or more of laboratory science |
Math courses are covered on a separate page: Math pathways.
Magnolia Science Academy Santa Ana World Languages
- Spanish 1 and 2, plus AP Spanish Language and Culture
- The school does not offer Chinese, Korean, Japanese, or French
- The student handbook states that students who speak another language can meet the category e language requirement through a transcript from formal schooling in that language, an AP exam score, a university proficiency test, or principal certification
On the UC A-G course list, Spanish has only levels 1 and 2, followed directly by AP Spanish. UC and CSU require two years of the same language, and all three diplomas also require two years. In the Class of 2025, 6 graduates earned the State Seal of Biliteracy and 20 earned the Golden State Seal Merit Diploma.
Magnolia Science Academy Santa Ana Complete Course Map
Organized by subject. Each course shows its level and UC A-G category, and the notes column states whether the school and UC weight it. Dark labels mark AP courses and light labels mark honors courses. Course titles follow the UC A-G course list and keep the official English names.
English
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP English Language and Composition | AP | — | —UC-approved honors course; weighted by both the school and UC | b |
| AP Seminar | AP | — | —UC-approved honors course; weighted by both the school and UC; Listed as category b English on the UC A-G course list | b |
| English 10 Honors | Honors | 10 | —UC-approved honors course; weighted by both the school and UC | b |
| Honors English 9 | Honors | 9 | —Weighted on the school's 5.0 scale; not a UC-approved honors course, so UC does not weight it | b |
| English 1 | CP | 9 | —Transcript title: English 9 | b |
| English 2 | CP | 10 | —Transcript title: English 10 | b |
| English 3 | CP | 11 | —Transcript title: English 11 | b |
| English 4 | CP | 12 | —Transcript title: English 12 | b |
English Language Development
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced ELD | CP | — | —English learner course that counts toward UC A-G category b | b |
Mathematics
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Calculus AB | AP | — | Precalculus or AP Precalculus (by course sequence)UC-approved honors course; weighted by both the school and UC; The highest math course on campus; AP Calculus BC is not on the 2026-27 A-G course list | c |
| AP Precalculus | AP | — | —UC-approved honors course; weighted by both the school and UC | c |
| Honors Algebra 1 | Honors | — | —Weighted on the school's 5.0 scale; not a UC-approved honors course, so UC does not weight it | c |
| Honors Algebra 2 | Honors | — | —Weighted on the school's 5.0 scale; not a UC-approved honors course, so UC does not weight it | c |
| Honors Geometry | Honors | — | —Weighted on the school's 5.0 scale; not a UC-approved honors course, so UC does not weight it | c |
| Algebra I A/B | CP | — | — | c |
| Algebra II A/B | CP | — | — | c |
| Financial Algebra | CP | — | —Classified at the Algebra II level on the UC A-G course list | c |
| Geometry | CP | — | — | c |
| Pre Calculus | CP | — | —College-prep (non-AP) precalculus | c |
Laboratory Science
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Biology | AP | — | Typically biology and chemistry firstUC-approved honors course; weighted by both the school and UC; The course description notes that it is typically taken after a year of biology and a year of chemistry | d |
| Honors Biology | Honors | — | —Weighted on the school's 5.0 scale; not a UC-approved honors course, so UC does not weight it | d |
| Honors Chemistry | Honors | — | —UC-approved honors course; weighted by both the school and UC | d |
| Biology | CP | — | — | d |
| Chemistry | CP | — | — | d |
| Environmental Science | CP | — | —Listed on the UC A-G course list with the spelling "Enviromental Science" | d |
| Physics | CP | — | — | d |
Computer Science
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Computer Science Principles | AP | — | —UC-approved honors course; weighted by both the school and UC | d |
| AP Cybersecurity | AP | — | —UC-approved honors course; weighted by both the school and UC | d |
| Computer Science Discoveries | CP | — | — | d |
| Robotics | CP | — | —Listed as a g elective on the UC A-G course list | g |
History & Social Science
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP United States History | AP | — | —UC-approved honors course; weighted by both the school and UC | a |
| AP World History | AP | — | —UC-approved honors course; weighted by both the school and UC | a |
| Economics | CP | — | —One semester; listed as a g elective on the UC A-G course list | g |
| Ethnic Studies | CP | — | —One semester; required for graduation beginning with the Class of 2030 | g |
| Government | CP | — | —One semester | a |
| Human Geography | CP | — | —Regular course, not AP; listed as a g elective on the UC A-G course list | g |
| Psychology | CP | — | —Listed as a g elective on the UC A-G course list | g |
| US History | CP | — | — | a |
| World History | CP | — | — | a |
World Language
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Spanish Language and Culture | AP | — | —UC-approved honors course; weighted by both the school and UC; On the A-G list the school's Spanish sequence goes to level 2, followed by AP Spanish | e |
| Spanish 1 | CP | — | — | e |
| Spanish 2 | CP | — | —Completing Spanish 2 meets the minimum UC A-G category e requirement | e |
Visual & Performing Arts
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art | CP | — | — | f |
Physical Education
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Education I - HS | Other | — | —First year of high school PE; two years of PE are required to graduate | — |
| Physical Education II - HS | Other | — | Physical Education ISecond year of high school PE; follows Physical Education I | — |
Other Electives
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Decathlon | CP | — | —Linked to the school's Academic Decathlon competition team | g |
| Personal Finance | CP | — | —One semester required for graduation beginning with the Class of 2031 | g |
| Advisory | Other | — | —Last period of the day for four-year plans, community service records, and the high school portfolio; 2.5 credits per semester | — |
The course description document also lists AP English Literature, AP US Government, AP Statistics, AP Computer Science A, AP Studio Art, Spanish 3, Astronomy, Creative Writing, and Digital Arts, but these are not on the 2026-27 UC A-G course list and are not included in the course map on this page. Confirm with the school whether they are offered in a given year.
Magnolia Science Academy Santa Ana Course Selection Timeline
Grade 6
- SpringPlacement in Accelerated Math 6/7 depends on the grade 5 final grade, CAASPP, MAP, and a placement exam; parents must attend an information meeting and sign an acceleration agreement
- Year-roundOne of the grade levels at which students are assessed for GATE
Grades 7 to 8
- SpringThe prior year's math grade, CAASPP, and MAP determine whether a student takes Accelerated Math 7/8 or Algebra 1 in grade 7, and Algebra 1 or Geometry in grade 8
- Year-roundAlgebra 1, Geometry, and approved computer courses taken in middle school can count toward high school graduation credits but not toward the high school GPA
Grade 9
- AugustA math placement checkpoint takes place within the first month of school
- Year-roundHonors English 9 is weighted by the school but not by UC, as are Honors Algebra 1, Honors Geometry, and Honors Biology; grade 9 is one of the GATE assessment grades
- FallThe school encourages students to take the PSAT/NMSQT; community service hours count from the end of grade 8, and the Advanced and Honors Diplomas require 40 hours
Grade 10
- Year-roundEnglish 10 Honors is weighted by both the school and UC, as is Honors Chemistry; UC's application GPA starts with grade 10 courses
- JuneEntering grade 11 requires 100 cumulative credits and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
Grade 11
- Year-roundAP English Language, AP United States History, AP Precalculus, or AP Calculus AB are the main sources of weighted grades
- Year-roundStudents may apply to take community college courses with a weighted GPA of at least 2.0 and counselor approval; students in grades 11 and 12 take at least five courses each semester
- MayAP exams; grade 11 CAASPP English and math tests
Grade 12
- August to SeptemberReview diploma type, A-G progress, and community service hours with a counselor; entering grade 12 requires 150 cumulative credits
- October to NovemberUC and CSU application season; the College Counselor helps with applications and scholarship materials
- June 1Co-Valedictorian status is determined from projected final grades as of this date
Magnolia Science Academy Santa Ana Courses and Selection Rules: Frequently Asked Questions
How many periods a day do students have at Magnolia Science Academy Santa Ana?
Under the 2026-27 bell schedule, the secondary grades at Magnolia Science Academy Santa Ana have six periods a day followed by an Advisory or Sustained Silent Reading (SSR) period, with dismissal at 3:46 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday; Wednesday is a minimum day with dismissal at 1:36 p.m. Students in grades 11 and 12 take at least five courses each semester, including Advisory, and may count community college or online courses.
Can students change courses at Magnolia Science Academy Santa Ana after school starts?
Only within fixed windows. The Magnolia Public Schools student handbook states that no schedule changes are made during the first five school days of a course except for scheduling errors; necessary academic changes may be made during the next 10 school days; withdrawal within 15 school days of the start carries no F, and students must remain in the course after that. The school does not consider changes to be with friends, to change teachers, for athletics, or to adjust arrival or departure times.
A note for Irvine families: how does Magnolia Science Academy Santa Ana treat a D on a previous transcript?
It is accepted as passing. Magnolia Science Academy Santa Ana does not give a D itself, and anything below 70% is an F, but the student handbook states that a D transferred from another school is recorded as received and earns credit. The limitation is that a D counts only toward the Standard Diploma, not toward the Advanced or Honors Diploma; UC and CSU also require a C or better in A-G courses, so a course with a D must be repeated or validated by a higher-level course.
How many credits does Magnolia Science Academy Santa Ana require for graduation?
Under the 2026-27 student handbook, the Standard Diploma requires 200 credits, and the Advanced and Honors Diplomas require 220. All three require four years of English, three years of history and social science, two years of the same world language, one year of arts, two years of physical education, and one year of computers and technology; math is three years for the Standard Diploma and four for the other two, and laboratory science is two years for the Standard Diploma and three for the other two. One semester of Ethnic Studies is required beginning with the Class of 2030, and one semester of Personal Finance beginning with the Class of 2031.
What does a Magnolia Science Academy Santa Ana student need to take a community college course?
Under the Magnolia Public Schools Dual and Concurrent Enrollment Policy, a student needs a weighted cumulative GPA of at least 2.0, a counselor assessment of academic readiness and maturity, and counselor approval of the specific courses; approval is normally not given when an equivalent course is offered at the school. College courses that meet UC A-G requirements are weighted on the high school transcript, and a course of 3 or more semester units converts to 10 high school credits. The student must submit an official college transcript after the course ends.
