At its grade 8 information night, Tesoro High School stated that it offers 28 AP courses in the 2026-27 school year, the most in the Capistrano Unified School District; in the 2024-25 school year it offered 25. In May 2025, 874 students took 1,906 AP exams, and 92.1% earned a 3 or higher. The school has no IB or Cambridge courses, so AP is its only advanced course system, along with an AP Capstone pathway. This page brings together subject-level results, grades offered and requirements, and recommended combinations to help parents plan before course selection each February.
AP Participation at This School
| Measure | Data |
|---|---|
| Students who took at least one AP course in the 2024-25 school year | 54% of the school |
| Class of 2026 students taking AP in the 2025-26 school year | 58% |
| Class of 2026 students who have taken AP during high school | 86% |
| 2025 AP exams | 874 students, 1,906 exams, 92.1% earning a 3 or higher |
| AP Scholars | 555 in 2025, including 217 AP Scholars with Distinction |
| AP Capstone | In 2025, 25 students earned the AP Capstone Diploma and 1 earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate |
These data come from the Tesoro High School 2025-2026 School Profile. At this school, AP courses count in the weighted school GPA at A=5, B=4, C=3; UC also grants honors credit for AP courses when calculating GPA, but only for courses taken in grades 10 to 11.
AP Pass Rates by Subject (2025)
The table below is counted by exam: the denominator is the number of exams taken in each subject, so a student who takes several exams is counted once for each, and the figure is not the number of students schoolwide. The School Profile labels this column “students”; the subjects add up to 1,911, which is broadly consistent with the schoolwide total of 1,906 exams. The School Profile does not publish average scores by subject.
| AP subject | 2025 exams | Score 3+ | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Macroeconomics | 251 | 95% | Most exams of any subject at the school |
| English Language | 193 | 97% | Number of test takers published by the school |
| European History | 176 | 85% | Number of test takers published by the school |
| US History | 169 | 92% | Number of test takers published by the school |
| Psychology | 165 | 92% | Number of test takers published by the school |
| Environmental Science | 117 | 92% | Number of test takers published by the school |
| Human Geography | 114 | 84% | Grade 9 course |
| Calculus AB | 97 | 98% | Number of test takers published by the school |
| English Literature | 97 | 97% | Number of test takers published by the school |
| Biology | 86 | 95% | Number of test takers published by the school |
| Calculus BC | 68 | 99% | Number of test takers published by the school |
| Chemistry | 62 | 94% | Number of test takers published by the school |
| Physics C | 58 | 88% | Number of test takers published by the school |
| Statistics | 52 | 90% | Number of test takers published by the school |
| US Government | 44 | 95% | Number of test takers published by the school |
| Computer Science Principles | 43 | 81% | Number of test takers published by the school |
| Computer Science A | 37 | 81% | Number of test takers published by the school |
| Research | 21 | 100% | Second course of the AP Capstone program |
| Spanish Language | 17 | 94% | Number of test takers published by the school |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 16 | 100% | Number of test takers published by the school |
| Microeconomics | 10 | 50% | Not offered on the 2026-27 course list |
| German | 7 | 57% | Number of test takers published by the school |
| 2D Art & Design | 5 | 100% | Number of test takers published by the school |
| French | 5 | 80% | Number of test takers published by the school |
| World History: Modern | 1 | 100% | Not offered on the 2026-27 course list |
A few figures are worth noting: AP Macroeconomics had 251 exams, the most of any subject at the school, corresponding to the combined AP Macroeconomics and American Government course in grade 12; AP European History had 176 exams, which shows that a substantial share of students enter AP in grade 10; and AP Human Geography had 114 exams, all from grade 9. AP Microeconomics and AP World History had a small number of exams in 2025, but neither course appears on the 2026-27 course list.
Grade Levels Offered
In grade 9, students may take AP Human Geography, which is offered only in grade 9 and requires concurrent enrollment in Honors English I or meeting its entry standard; grade 9 students who completed Geometry in middle school may also take AP Computer Science Principles; the district course catalog notes that grade 9 enrollment in AP Biology "may be possible," with approval from the assistant principal. Grade 10 opens AP European History, AP Seminar, AP Chemistry (which requires an A in Biology and concurrent enrollment in Honors Algebra II/Trigonometry), AP Statistics, and AP Art History. AP English Language, AP US History, AP Calculus AB / BC, AP Physics C, AP Environmental Science, and AP Music Theory begin in grade 11; AP English Literature, AP Macroeconomics and American Government, and AP Psychology are scheduled in grade 12.
Grades Offered and Requirements for Each AP Course
The grades and requirements in the table below come from the 2026-27 course list and the 2025-26 district course placement guidelines. A # symbol on the course list means the course earns one extra grade point.
| AP course | Grades offered and requirements |
|---|---|
| AP Human Geography | Offered only in grade 9; requires concurrent enrollment in Honors English 1, or a GPA of 3.5 in grade 8 accelerated English or 4.0 in regular English |
| AP Computer Science Principles | Requires completion of Geometry; open in grade 9; UC A-G category d |
| AP European History | Grade 10; requires concurrent enrollment in Honors English 2, or an A or B in English 1 |
| AP Seminar | Grades 10 to 12; when taken as the English course in grade 10, requires an A or B in Honors English 1 or an A in English 1 |
| AP Chemistry | Grades 10 to 12; requires concurrent enrollment in Precalculus or higher; grade 10 entry requires an A in Biology and concurrent enrollment in Honors Algebra 2/Trigonometry |
| AP Biology | Grades 10 to 12; an A or B in Biology, and completion of or concurrent enrollment in Chemistry; the district catalog notes that grade 9 entry may be possible, with approval from the assistant principal |
| AP Statistics | Grades 10 to 12; an A or B in Algebra 2 (district guidelines: B- or higher in both semesters) |
| AP Art History | Grades 10 to 11; grade 10 requires an A or B in English, and grade 11 requires an A or B in social science |
| AP Computer Science A | Requires completion of Honors Algebra 2/Trigonometry; UC A-G category c |
| AP Cybersecurity | The first course of the Networking career pathway |
| AP 3D Art & Design / AP 2D Art & Design | Require completion of Ceramics 1 and Drawing & Painting 1A, respectively |
| AP English Language | Grade 11; an A, B, or C in Honors English 2, or an A in English 2 |
| AP US History | Grade 11; concurrent enrollment in AP English Language, or an A or B in grade 10 social science |
| AP Calculus AB | Grades 11 to 12; B- or higher in both semesters of Honors Precalculus |
| AP Calculus BC | Grades 11 to 12; A- or higher in both semesters of Honors Precalculus; in grade 12, may also be taken after earning B- or higher in both semesters of AP Calculus AB |
| AP Physics C | Grades 11 to 12; requires completion of or concurrent enrollment in AP Calculus AB or BC |
| AP Environmental Science | Grades 11 to 12; an A or B in Biology, and an A, B, or C in Chemistry |
| AP Music Theory | Grades 11 and 12 only |
| AP Research | Requires an A, B, or C in AP Seminar |
| AP English Literature | Grade 12; an A, B, or C in AP English Language, or an A in accelerated English 3 |
| AP Macroeconomics and American Government combination | Grade 12; an A or B in grade 11 social science, or an A, B, or C in a grade 11 AP social science course; offered in two sequences, AP Econ/Am Govt and AP Am Gov/Econ |
| AP Psychology | Grade 12; same requirements as the AP Macroeconomics and American Government combination |
| AP French 4 and 5, AP German 4, AP Spanish 4 and 5 | An A or B in the previous level |
| AP Chinese 4 | An A, B, or C in Honors Chinese 3 |
AP Courses the School Does Not Offer
- AP Physics 1
- AP Physics 2
- AP Precalculus
- AP World History: Modern
- AP Microeconomics
- AP Comparative Government
- AP Drawing
- AP Japanese
- AP Latin
The gaps with the greatest impact are in physics and precalculus. Tesoro High School offers physics only as Honors Physics and AP Physics C, and the latter requires completion of or concurrent enrollment in calculus, so students who have not accelerated in math cannot earn an AP physics score in high school; Precalculus is offered only as an honors course, not as an AP course. Students who want to take these exams need to complete the coursework outside school and register on their own.
AP Exam Registration
| Registration process and fees | Exams take place May 3 to 14, 2027. Registration has two steps: first join the course in College Board myAP using the join code provided by the course teacher, then pay through Total Registration; registration is complete only when both steps are done. Regular registration runs from September 1 to October 30, 2026, at $110 per exam; the late registration period runs from October 31, 2026, to noon on March 2, 2027, with an additional $40 per exam; exams canceled during the late period are charged $45 each, and exams canceled after noon on March 2 are not refunded. Students who qualify for district Nutrition Services educational benefits may apply for a fee reduction by October 23, 2026 |
|---|---|
| School AP coordinator | Erin Bowen, school Guidance office, phone 949-234-5319 |
AP Course List
English
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Seminar (English) | AP | — | A or B in Honors English I, or A in regular English IFirst course of the AP Capstone program, scheduled as an English course; course number SEMAPE | b |
| AP English Language and Composition | AP | 11 | A, B, or C in Honors English II, or A in regular English IIMarked # on the course list; earns one extra grade point under district rules; course number LANGAP | b |
| AP English Literature and Composition | AP | 12 | A, B, or C in AP English Language, or A in accelerated English IIIMarked # on the course list; earns one extra grade point under district rules; course number LITCAP | b |
| AP Capstone Seminar | AP | 10-12 | No additional prerequisitesFirst course of the AP Capstone program, scheduled as an elective; course number SEMAP | b |
| AP Research | AP | — | A, B, or C in AP SeminarSecond course of the AP Capstone program; course number RSCHAP | b |
Mathematics
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Calculus AB | AP | 11-12 | A or B in Honors Precalculus (district guidelines: B- or higher in both semesters)Marked # on the course list; earns one extra grade point under district rules; course number CALCAB | c |
| AP Calculus BC | AP | 11-12 | A in Honors Precalculus (district guidelines: A- or higher in both semesters); in grade 12, may also be taken after earning B- or higher in both semesters of AP Calculus ABMarked # on the course list; earns one extra grade point under district rules; course number CALCBC | c |
| AP Statistics | AP | 10-12 | A or B in Algebra IIMarked # on the course list; earns one extra grade point under district rules; course number STATAP | c |
Science
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Biology | AP | 10-12 | A or B in Biology, and completion of or concurrent enrollment in ChemistryMarked # on the course list; earns one extra grade point under district rules; the district catalog notes that grade 9 enrollment may be possible, with approval from the assistant principal; course number BIOAP | d |
| AP Chemistry | AP | 10-12 | Concurrent enrollment in Precalculus or higher; grade 10 enrollment requires an A in Biology and concurrent enrollment in Honors Algebra II/TrigonometryMarked # on the course list; earns one extra grade point under district rules; course number CHEMAP | d |
| AP Physics C | AP | 11-12 | Completion of or concurrent enrollment in AP Calculus AB or BCMarked # on the course list; earns one extra grade point under district rules; course number PHYCAP | d |
| AP Environmental Science | AP | 11-12 | A or B in Biology, and A, B, or C in ChemistryMarked # on the course list; earns one extra grade point under district rules; course number ESCIAP | d |
Social Science
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Human Geography | AP | 9 | Offered only in grade 9; requires concurrent enrollment in Honors English I or meeting its entry standard (GPA of 3.5 in grade 8 accelerated English or 4.0 in regular English)Marked # on the course list; earns one extra grade point under district rules; counts as an elective; course number HUMGAP | a |
| AP European History | AP | 10 | Concurrent enrollment in Honors English II, or A or B in English IMarked # on the course list; earns one extra grade point under district rules; course number EUROAP | a |
| AP US History | AP | 11 | Concurrent enrollment in AP English Language, or A or B in grade 10 social scienceMarked # on the course list; earns one extra grade point under district rules; course number USHAP | a |
| AP Economics/American Government | AP | 12 | A or B in grade 11 social science, or A, B, or C in a grade 11 AP social science courseMarked # on the course list; earns one extra grade point under district rules; AP Macroeconomics in the fall semester and American Government in the spring semester; course number APECGV | g |
| AP American Government/Economics | AP | 12 | A or B in grade 11 social science, or A, B, or C in a grade 11 AP social science courseMarked # on the course list; earns one extra grade point under district rules; AP US Government in the fall semester and Economics in the spring semester; course number APGVEC | a |
| AP Psychology | AP | 12 | A or B in grade 11 social science, or A, B, or C in a grade 11 AP social science courseMarked # on the course list; earns one extra grade point under district rules; course number PSYAP | g |
World Language
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP French IV | AP | — | A or B in French IVMarked # on the course list; earns one extra grade point under district rules; course number FR4AP | e |
| AP French V | AP | — | A or B in French IVMarked # on the course list; earns one extra grade point under district rules; course number FR5AP | e |
| AP German IV | AP | — | A or B in Honors German IIIMarked # on the course list; earns one extra grade point under district rules; course number GER4AP | e |
| AP Spanish IV | AP | — | A or B in Spanish IVMarked # on the course list; earns one extra grade point under district rules; course number SP4AP | e |
| AP Spanish V | AP | — | A or B in Spanish IVMarked # on the course list; earns one extra grade point under district rules; course number SP5AP | e |
| AP Chinese IV | AP | — | A, B, or C in Honors Chinese IIIMarked # on the course list; earns one extra grade point under district rules; course number CH4AP | e |
Visual and Performing Arts
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP 3D Art & Design | AP | — | Completion of Ceramics 1Marked # on the course list; earns one extra grade point under district rules; course number 3DADAP | f |
| AP 2D Art & Design | AP | — | Completion of Drawing & Painting 1ANot marked # on this line of the 2026-27 course list; the 2025-26 district catalog lists it as weighted by both the district and UC; course number 2DADAP | f |
| AP Art History | AP | 10-11 | Grade 10 requires an A or B in English; grade 11 requires an A or B in social scienceMarked # on the course list; earns one extra grade point under district rules; course number ARTHAP | f |
| AP Music Theory | AP | 11-12 | Grades 11 and 12 onlyMarked # on the course list; earns one extra grade point under district rules; course number MUTYAP | f |
Computer Science & CCA
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Computer Science Principles | AP | — | Completion of GeometryMarked # on the course list; earns one extra grade point under district rules; open to grade 9 students who have completed Geometry; course number CSPAP | d |
| AP Computer Science A | AP | — | Completion of Honors Algebra II/TrigonometryMarked # on the course list; earns one extra grade point under district rules; course number CT416Y | c |
| AP Cybersecurity | AP | — | First course of the Networking career pathwayMarked # on the course list; earns one extra grade point under district rules; prepares students for the CompTIA Network+ and Security+ certifications; course number DH846Y | g |
Recommended Combinations by Intended Major
Frequently Asked Questions
How do AP exam results look at Tesoro High School?
According to the Tesoro High School 2025-2026 School Profile, in May 2025, 874 students took 1,906 AP exams, 92.1% earned a 3 or higher, and the school had 555 AP Scholars. The three subjects with the most exams were AP Macroeconomics with 251 exams, AP English Language with 193, and AP European History with 176, with pass rates of 95%, 97%, and 85%, respectively.
Which AP courses at Tesoro High School have lower pass rates?
In 2025, the subjects at Tesoro High School with pass rates below 90% were AP Microeconomics at 50% (10 exams; no longer offered on the 2026-27 course list), AP German at 57% (7 exams), AP French at 80% (5 exams), AP Computer Science A and AP Computer Science Principles at 81% each, AP Human Geography at 84%, AP European History at 85%, and AP Physics C at 88%. German and French had very few test takers, so their percentages are easily affected by individual scores.
Irvine families should note: which AP courses does Tesoro High School not offer?
The Tesoro High School 2026-27 course list does not include AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, AP Precalculus, AP World History: Modern, AP Microeconomics, AP Comparative Government, AP Drawing, AP Japanese, or AP Latin. Physics is offered only as AP Physics C, which requires completion of or concurrent enrollment in calculus; Precalculus is offered only as an honors course, not as an AP course. Students who want to take these exams need to complete the coursework outside school and register on their own.
What is the AP Capstone program at Tesoro High School?
It is a program that the Capistrano Unified School District lists as a signature program of Tesoro High School, and it consists of two courses: students first take AP Seminar (grades 10 to 12; in grade 10 it can also replace English II), then AP Research (which requires a C or higher in AP Seminar). In 2025, 25 students earned the AP Capstone Diploma and 1 earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate; AP Research had 21 exams that year, all earning a 3 or higher.
How do students register for AP exams at Tesoro High School, and what do they cost?
Exams take place May 3 to 14, 2027. Students first join the course in College Board myAP using the join code provided by the course teacher, then pay through Total Registration; registration is complete only when both steps are done. Regular registration runs from September 1 to October 30, 2026, at $110 per exam; late registration begins October 31, with an additional $40 per exam, and closes at noon on March 2, 2027. Exams canceled during the late period are charged $45 each, and exams canceled after noon on March 2 are not refunded.
Which grade 9 students is AP Human Geography at Tesoro High School suited for?
At Tesoro High School, AP Human Geography is offered only in grade 9 as an elective and requires concurrent enrollment in Honors English 1 or meeting the Honors English 1 entry standard (a GPA of 3.5 in grade 8 accelerated English or 4.0 in regular English). In 2025, 114 exams were taken in this course, and 84% earned a 3 or higher. It counts at A=5 in the weighted school GPA, but grade 9 grades do not count in the UC GPA.
