The 2026-2027 course list at Sunny Hills High School includes 25 AP courses, and the school also runs an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme that has continued since 1985. In May 2025, 1,177 students took 2,490 AP exams, and 81% of exams earned a 3 or higher, counted by exam; in the same year, 84 students sat 230 IB subject exams, and 91% scored 4 or higher. This page brings together the prerequisites, grade limits, and recommended combinations for both systems to help parents decide which courses to choose and in which grade.
AP Results: Keep the Two Bases Separate
| Measure | 2025 |
|---|---|
| AP courses offered | 25 courses (grouped by the School Profile into 19 exam subjects) |
| Students tested | 1,177 students |
| Exams taken | 2,490 exams |
| Scores of 3 or higher (by exam) | 2,017 exams, 81% |
| Scores of 3 or higher (by student) | 1,018 students, 86% |
| AP Scholar | 196 students |
| AP Scholar with Honor | 92 students |
| AP Scholar with Distinction | 222 students |
The IB Diploma Programme: 2025 Results and Structure
| Measure | 2025 |
|---|---|
| Year authorized | 1985; full authorization from the International Baccalaureate Organization |
| Students tested | 84 students |
| Subject exams taken | 230 exams |
| Share scoring 4 or higher | 91% |
| Diploma candidates | 23 eligible grade 12 students |
| Diplomas earned | 21 students |
| Higher Level (HL) subjects available | Visual Arts, Dance, Economics, English, Theatre, Physics, German, Spanish, Korean, History of the Americas |
| Standard Level (SL) subjects available | Visual Arts, Biology, Dance, Physics, Design Technology, Spanish, German, Korean, Chinese, Mathematics, History of the Americas |
- Diploma candidates take 3 Higher Level (HL) and 3 Standard Level (SL) courses in grades 11 and 12
- Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is taken in the spring semester of grade 11 and the fall semester of grade 12
- Candidates complete an Extended Essay of up to 4,000 words, written from the spring of grade 11 through the fall of grade 12
- Candidates complete the Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) requirement
- IB courses are open only to diploma candidates; students not pursuing the diploma take exams as individual Course candidates
- History of the Americas IB HL Year 1 and AP US History are the same class, which prepares students for both exams
- Exams are scored from 1 to 7, with 4 as a passing score; the maximum is 45 points, including up to 42 from the six subjects and 3 from Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay
Grade Levels Offered
Ninth graders may take AP Human Geography by passing the honors placement exam. AP European History and AP Psychology are offered from grade 10; AP US History is limited to grade 11; AP English Language is limited to grades 11 and 12; AP Statistics, AP Environmental Science, AP Chemistry, AP Biology, AP Physics 1, and AP Business with Personal Finance are limited to grades 11 and 12; AP English Literature, AP Macroeconomics, AP American Government, and AP Physics 2 are limited to grade 12. AP Calculus AB and BC, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Computer Science A, the AP world language courses, and the AP art courses have no grade restriction and are determined by prerequisites.
Entry Requirements for Each AP Course
The following requirements come from the school’s Honors / AP / IB Course Expectations and the 2026-2027 course list, one course per row. CP refers to College Prep, the regular course level.
| AP course | Entry requirements |
|---|---|
| AP Human Geography | Grade 9: pass the honors placement exam; grades 10 to 12: A or B in World History, and A or B in English 1 Honors or A in English 1 |
| AP European History | B or better in World History |
| AP Psychology | A or B in World History, and A or B in English 1 Honors or A in English 1 |
| AP US History | B or better in AP Human Geography or A in World History; and B or better in English 2 Honors or A in English 2 |
| AP American Government | A or B in AP US History, with a signed recommendation from the AP US History teacher |
| AP Macroeconomics and IB Economics HL | Concurrent enrollment in a calculus course recommended |
| AP English Language | A or B in English 2 Honors, A in English 2, or A or B in English 3; teacher recommendation and writing sample also required |
| AP English Literature | A or B in AP English Language |
| AP Statistics | B or better in Algebra 2 or Algebra 2 Honors, and C or better in Pre-Calculus or higher; grade 11 students must take another math course concurrently, while grade 12 students may take it alone |
| AP Calculus AB | C+ or better in Pre-Calculus Honors, or A in Pre-Calculus with outstanding work habits |
| AP Calculus BC | A in Pre-Calculus Honors, A in IB Math SL, or B or better in AP Calculus AB |
| AP Biology | A or B in both Biology Honors and Chemistry Honors; A or B in Geometry, Geometry Honors, Algebra 2, or Algebra 2 Honors; science teacher recommendation |
| AP Chemistry | A or B in Chemistry Honors, and A or B in Algebra 2 |
| AP Environmental Science | A or B in Chemistry (CP or Honors), and A or B in Algebra 2 |
| AP Physics | A or B in Chemistry Honors, or A in Physics CP; and A or B in Algebra 2 |
| AP Computer Science Principles | B or better in Algebra 1 or higher |
| AP Computer Science A | B or better in Geometry Honors, or A in Geometry |
| AP world language courses | B or better in level 3 or level 3 Honors (for the Spanish for Spanish Speakers track, B or better in Spanish for Spanish Speakers 2), a language proficiency assessment, and teacher recommendation |
| AP Spanish Literature | B or better in Spanish 4 or AP Spanish Language, with teacher recommendation |
| AP art courses (Drawing & Painting, 3-D Design) | Completion of the corresponding Special Studies course and teacher recommendation |
The school also publishes official expectations for time outside class: honors and AP courses average 1 to 2 hours of homework per course per night; AP US History about 1.5 hours per night; AP American Government and AP Macroeconomics 1 to 1.5 hours per night; AP English Language 1 to 2 hours per night or 3 to 5 hours per week; AP English Literature 3 to 5 hours per week; AP Biology, AP Physics, and IB Biology 1 to 1.5 hours per night; and AP art courses 2 to 3 hours per week of studio work outside class.
AP Courses the School Does Not Offer
- AP Physics C
- AP Microeconomics
- AP World History: Modern
- AP Precalculus
- AP Comparative Government and Politics
- AP Art History
- AP Music Theory
- AP Seminar / Research
- AP French, AP Japanese, AP Italian, AP Latin (College Board offers no AP Korean exam)
Of these, AP Physics C and AP Microeconomics are the two courses most often expected of applicants in STEM and business. Sunny Hills High School offers AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2 but not the calculus-based Physics C, and it offers AP Macroeconomics but not Microeconomics. Students who want to take these two exams need to complete the coursework outside school.
AP Course List (from the 2026-2027 Course List)
Mathematics
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Statistics | AP | 11-12 | B or better in Algebra 2 or Algebra 2 Honors, and C or better in Pre-Calculus or higherGrade 11 students must take another math course concurrently; grade 12 students may take it alone; AP exam required | c |
| AP Calculus AB | AP | 10-12 | C+ or better in Pre-Calculus Honors, or A in Pre-Calculus with outstanding work habitsAP exam required | c |
| AP Calculus BC | AP | 11-12 | A in Pre-Calculus Honors, or A in Math IB SL, or B or better in AP Calculus ABAP exam required | c |
Laboratory Science
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Biology | AP | 11-12 | A or B in Biology Honors and Chemistry Honors; A or B in Geometry/Geometry Honors/Algebra 2/Algebra 2 Honors; science teacher recommendation1 to 1.5 hours of homework per night; AP exam required | d |
| AP Chemistry | AP | 11-12 | A or B in Chemistry Honors; A or B in Algebra 2Summer assignment; AP exam required | d |
| AP Environmental Science | AP | 11-12 | A or B in Chemistry (CP or Honors); A or B in Algebra 2Shares a course description with IB Environmental Systems & Societies | d |
| AP Physics 1 | AP | 11-12 | A or B in Chemistry Honors, or A in Physics CP; A or B in Algebra 21 to 1.5 hours of homework per night; 1 to 2 projects per semester | d |
| AP Physics 2 | AP | 12 | AP Physics 1 | d |
English
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP English Language & Composition | AP | 11-12 | A or B in English 2 Honors, or A in English 2, or A or B in English 3; teacher recommendation and writing sample1 to 2 hours per night, 3 to 5 hours per week; AP exam required | b |
| AP English Literature & Composition | AP | 12 | A or B in AP English Language & Composition3 to 5 hours per week; AP exam required | b |
Social Studies
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Human Geography | AP | 9-12 | 9th grade: qualify through the honors placement exam. 10-12: A or B in World History and A or B in English 1 Honors or A in English 1Passing the course satisfies the World History graduation requirement; AP exam required | a |
| AP European History | AP | 10-12 | B or better in World HistoryAP exam required | a |
| AP United States History | AP | 11 | B or better in AP Human Geography or A in World History; B or higher in English 2 Honors or A in English 2For IB diploma candidates, this course is History of the Americas HL Year 1; about 1.5 hours per night | a |
| AP American Government | AP | 12 | A or B in AP United States History and signature of the AP US History teacherSemester course; 1 to 1.5 hours per night; 5 in-class essays | a |
| AP Macro Economics | AP | 12 | Recommended concurrent enrollment in a Calculus courseSemester course; 1 project or 1 term paper | g |
| AP Psychology | AP | 10-12 | A or B in World History; A or B in English 1 Honors or A in English 1Requires a report replicating a psychology experiment; AP exam required | g |
World Languages
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Chinese Language | AP | 11-12 | B or better in Chinese 3, language proficiency assessment and teacher recommendation | e |
| AP German Language | AP | 11-12 | B or better in German 3 or German 3 Honors, language proficiency assessment and teacher recommendation | e |
| AP Spanish Language | AP | 11-12 | B or better in Spanish 3 or Spanish 3 Honors, or B or better in Spanish for Spanish Speakers 2; language proficiency assessment and teacher recommendationTaught entirely in Spanish | e |
| AP Spanish Literature | AP | 12 | B or better in Spanish 4 or AP Spanish Language; teacher recommendationMore than 6 absences per semester is considered excessive | e |
Business, Computer Science & Game Design
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Computer Science Principles | AP | 9-12 | B or better in Algebra 1 or higherMay also count toward category g; AP exam required | d |
| AP Computer Science A | AP | 10-12 | B or better in Geometry Honors or A in GeometryMay also count toward category g; AP exam required | c |
| AP Business with Personal Finance | AP | 11-12 | — | g |
Visual & Performing Arts
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Drawing & Painting | AP | 11-12 | Special Studies Drawing & Painting and teacher recommendation2 to 3 hours of outside creative work per week | f |
| AP 3-D Design | AP | 11-12 | Special Studies 3-D Design and teacher recommendation | f |
Recommended Combinations by Intended Major
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AP pass rate at Sunny Hills High School, and why are there two figures?
The two figures use different bases. In 2025, 1,177 Sunny Hills High School students took 2,490 AP exams. Counted by exam, 2,017 exams earned a 3 or higher, a rate of 81%; counted by student, 1,018 students earned a 3 or higher on at least one exam, a rate of 86%. The School Profile reports both figures. Comparisons between schools should consistently use the per-exam figure, because the per-student figure is naturally higher: a student counts as soon as a single exam meets the mark.
Can grade 9 students take AP courses at Sunny Hills High School?
Yes. AP Human Geography at Sunny Hills High School is open to grade 9 students who pass the January honors placement exam, and completing it also satisfies the world history graduation requirement. AP Computer Science Principles requires only a B or higher in Algebra 1 or a more advanced course and has no grade restriction. This differs from several Irvine high schools, which offer no AP courses at all in grade 9. Beginning in grade 10, students may take AP European History, AP Psychology, and AP Computer Science A.
How should a student choose between AP and IB at Sunny Hills High School? Can a student take both?
A student can take both, but the structures differ. At Sunny Hills High School, AP courses are chosen one at a time, while IB courses are open only to diploma candidates, who take 3 Higher Level and 3 Standard Level courses in grades 11 and 12 and also complete the three core requirements: Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, Service. The two systems are weighted the same way on the transcript. In practice they overlap: the first year of IB History of the Americas HL is the AP US History course, and IB Economics HL shares content with AP Macroeconomics. Students who do not plan to earn the diploma may sit IB exams for individual course certificates.
Which AP courses does Sunny Hills High School not offer?
According to the 2026-2027 course list, Sunny Hills High School does not offer AP Physics C, AP Microeconomics, AP World History: Modern, AP Precalculus, AP Comparative Government and Politics, AP Art History, AP Music Theory, or AP Seminar and AP Research. In world languages, there are only three AP options: Chinese, German, and Spanish. The College Board has no AP exam in Korean, so the highest level of Korean is IB Korean HL.
When Irvine families compare Sunny Hills High School with the high schools in their own district, are the rules on the number of AP courses the same?
No. This school is not part of the Irvine Unified School District; it belongs to the Fullerton Joint Union High School District (FJUHSD). Sunny Hills High School publishes no cap on the number of AP courses. The practical limit comes from the bell schedule: the regular schedule has 6 courses per semester, and the seventh period and the zero period are used mainly for athletics, band, and arts courses. The real limits are prerequisites and grade restrictions. For example, AP English Literature, AP Macroeconomics, AP American Government, and AP Physics 2 are offered only in grade 12, so 4 to 5 AP courses per year in grades 11 and 12 is a common upper limit.
