AP (Advanced Placement) courses are college-level courses offered through the College Board. Each course leads to a national exam in May, with a maximum score of 5. Orange Lutheran High School lists 21 AP courses in its 2026-27 Curriculum Guide; the UC A-G list for 2026-27 registers 23 AP courses at the school, all of which are UC-approved honors courses weighted in UC applications. This page lists the grade level and prerequisites for each course, explains which exam results the school publishes and which common AP courses it does not offer, and suggests course combinations by intended major.
Grade Levels and Prerequisites for Each AP Course
The table below is compiled course by course from the school’s 2026-27 Curriculum Guide. Prerequisites are based on semester grades, and both semesters must meet the requirement. Courses marked “online only” are offered asynchronously by the school’s online division, Orange Lutheran Online.
| AP course | Grade levels and prerequisites |
|---|---|
| AP Human Geography | Grades 9-12, on campus only; incoming students must be placed in Honors Introduction to Literature and Composition, and current grade 9 students need 80% or higher in Honors English or Honors Ancient History |
| AP Computer Science Principles | Grades 9-12, on campus and online; incoming students must also take Honors Geometry and have programming experience confirmed by the teacher, and current students need 90% or higher each semester in Algebra 1 or 85% or higher in Enriched Algebra 1; priority for the on-campus section goes to grade 12 |
| AP World History: Modern | Grade 10, on campus only; 80% or higher in both semesters of grade 9 AP Human Geography or Honors Introduction to Literature and Composition |
| AP Seminar: British Literature | Grade 10, on campus only; 85% or higher each semester in Honors Introduction to Literature and Composition, or 90% or higher in the regular course with teacher approval |
| AP Art History | Grades 10-12, on campus and online; 80% or higher in Introduction to Literature and Composition or the honors version, or teacher approval |
| AP Computer Science A | Grades 10-12, online only; 80% or higher each semester in Geometry and Algebra 2, or 70% or higher in both honors courses; UC category c |
| AP United States History | Grade 11, on campus and online; 80% or higher in AP World History or 90% or higher in World History, with teacher and department chair approval |
| AP English Literature and Composition | Grades 11-12, on campus and online; 90% or higher in British Literature or American Literature, or 85% or higher in Honors British Literature or AP Seminar |
| AP Calculus AB | Grades 11-12, on campus only; 85% or higher each semester in Honors Pre-Calculus, or 90% or higher in Calculus with department chair approval |
| AP Calculus BC | Grades 11-12, on campus only, meets daily; same prerequisites as AB, and AB is not required first |
| AP Statistics | Grades 11-12, on campus only; 90% or higher in Calculus or Pre-Calculus, or 85% or higher in Honors Algebra 2/Trigonometry |
| AP Biology | Grades 11-12, on campus only, with the AP Biology lab taken concurrently; 75% or higher in Honors Biology or 85% or higher in Biology, and 75% or higher in Honors Chemistry or 80% or higher in Chemistry |
| AP Chemistry | Grades 11-12, on campus only, meets daily with a required lab; 83% or higher in Honors Chemistry or 90% or higher in Chemistry, and 90% or higher in Algebra 2 or 85% or higher in Honors Algebra 2 or above |
| AP Physics 1 | Grades 11-12, on campus only; 90% or higher in Chemistry or 80% or higher in Honors Chemistry, and 90% or higher in Geometry or 85% or higher in Honors Geometry; grade 10 students who want to take it concurrently need 95% or higher in Honors Biology and Honors Geometry |
| AP Physics C: Mechanics | Grades 11-12, on campus only; AP Calculus must be taken concurrently, with 85% or higher in AP Physics 1 or 95% or higher in Physics |
| AP Psychology | Grades 11-12, on campus and online; 80% or higher in World History or AP World History, with teacher and department chair approval; UC category g |
| AP English Language and Composition | Grade 12, on campus only; 90% or higher in American Literature or 85% or higher in AP English Literature, with teacher approval |
| AP US Government and Politics | Grade 12; on campus it is combined with Honors Economics as a year-long course, and online it is a half-year course; 80% or higher in AP United States History or 90% or higher in United States History |
| AP Macroeconomics | Grade 12, online only, half year; 80% or higher in AP United States History or 90% or higher in United States History; UC category g |
| AP Latin | Grade 12, on campus only; 85% or higher in both semesters of Honors Latin 3 |
| AP Art and Design (Drawing, 2-D, 3-D) | Grade 12, on campus only; portfolio submission with teacher and department chair approval, and a summer workshop to prepare the portfolio |
Grade 9 students may take only AP Human Geography (requires placement in honors English) and AP Computer Science Principles (requires concurrent Honors Geometry and programming experience); Grade 10 students may take AP World History, AP Seminar: British Literature, AP Art History, and online AP Computer Science A; from Grade 11, AP United States History, AP English Literature, AP Calculus AB and BC, AP Statistics, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics 1, AP Physics C, and AP Psychology are open; AP English Language, AP U.S. Government, AP Macroeconomics, AP Latin, and AP Art & Design are open only to Grade 12. Students enrolled in AP courses must take the AP exam in May; those who do not have 10% deducted from their course grade. Students must register and pay for exams in the fall; the Curriculum Guide lists the fee as $120 per exam. Students with a first-semester AP grade below 75% must meet with the teacher to decide whether to continue in the second semester.
The UC list also includes two online entries: Advanced Placement United States History and Advanced Placement Psychology. They correspond to the online versions of AP United States History and AP Psychology, but they carry no honors designation on the list, while the on-campus versions of the same courses are UC-approved honors courses. The UC admissions website states that AP courses are weighted as honors courses, so EDUBUS recommends that students choosing the online version first confirm with the counselor how the course is registered on the transcript.
AP Exam Results Published by the School
The school has not published the number of AP exams taken, the share of scores of 3 or higher, or results by subject; the counseling page states only that students' AP scores are consistently well above California and national averages. The Academic Profile 2024-2025 also contains no AP exam data. The “share of scores of 3 or higher” used on this site’s public high school pages is calculated per exam taken, and this school has no comparable figure. The college counseling page also states that students can take 25 different AP exams, 4 more than the 21 courses offered, but it does not say which ones. Students who want to take an exam in a subject the school does not offer need to check with the counselor first.
AP Courses the School Does Not Offer
The following AP courses are common in UC applications but are not offered at Orange Lutheran High School in the 2026-27 school year.
- Precalculus
- Microeconomics
- Physics 2
- Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
- Environmental Science
- European History
- Comparative Government
- Spanish Language and Culture, French Language and Culture (the highest level of Spanish and French at the school is Honors 4)
- Chinese Language and Culture
- Research: the school offers AP Seminar but not AP Research, so students cannot earn the AP Capstone Diploma
- Music Theory
The largest gaps are in science and world languages. The physics sequence ends after AP Physics 1 and AP Physics C: Mechanics, so students planning to major in engineering or physics need to cover electricity and magnetism outside school. In world languages, Spanish and French go up to Honors level 4, and Chinese goes up to level 4 online only, with no AP course in any of the three; Latin is the only language with an AP course. The only economics AP is the online AP Macroeconomics, so students heading toward business need to take AP Microeconomics, which is commonly taken for that path, outside school.
AP Course List
The table below is based on a course-by-course comparison of the UC 2026-27 A-G list and the school’s Curriculum Guide. The notes column gives the course number, whether the course is offered on campus or online, and the transcript name on the UC list.
History / Social Science
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Placement United States History | AP | 11 | Two semesters of World History at 90% or higher, or AP World History at 80% or higher, with approval of the instructor and department chairOnline version of AP United States History (course number 560-OLO). On the UC list this entry is not marked as a UC-approved honors course, while the on-campus AP United States History of the same name is an honors course. UC states that AP courses are weighted as honors courses, but this entry carries no honors mark on the list; confirm with the school whether the online version is weighted; online course; transcript abbreviation: AP US History | a |
| AP Government and Politics United States | AP | 12 | Two semesters of AP U.S. History at 80% or higher or U.S. History at 90% or higher, with approval of the instructor and department chairOn campus, course 7643 is combined with Honors Economics as a full-year course (AP U.S. Government & Honors Economics); online it is the semester course 590-OLO; online course; transcript abbreviations: AP Amer Gov, AP Gov, AP Government, AP GovPol US | a |
| AP Human Geography | AP | 9-12 | Incoming freshmen: placement in Honors Introduction to Literature/Composition; current Grade 9 students: two semesters of Honors Ancient History or Honors Introduction to Literature/Composition at 80% or higher; Grades 10 through 12: AP World History or AP U.S. History at 80% or higher, or World History or U.S. History at 90% or higherCourse number 7650; offered on campus only; transcript abbreviation: AP Human Geography | a |
| AP United States History | AP | 11 | Two semesters of AP World History at 80% or higher or World History at 90% or higher, with approval of the instructor and department chairCourse number 7633; HyFlex course; transcript abbreviation: AP US HIST | a |
| AP World History | AP | 10 | Two semesters of AP Human Geography in Grade 9 at 80% or higher, or two semesters of Honors Introduction to Literature/Composition at 80% or higherListed in the school catalog as AP Modern World History, course number 7621; offered on campus only; transcript abbreviation: AP World Hist | a |
English
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP English Language and Composition | AP | 12 | Two semesters of American Literature/Composition at 90% or higher, or two semesters of AP English Literature at 85% or higher, with instructor approvalCourse number 2620; HyFlex course; transcript abbreviations: AP Eng Lang, AP Engl Lang | b |
| AP English Literature and Composition | AP | 11-12 | Two semesters of British Literature or American Literature at 90% or higher, or two semesters of Honors British Literature or AP Seminar: British Literature at 85% or higherCourse number 2613, online 691-OLO; HyFlex course; online course; transcript abbreviations: AP Engl Lit, AP Literature | b |
| AP Seminar | AP | 10 | Two semesters of Honors Introduction to Literature/Composition at 85% or higher, or two semesters of Introduction to Literature/Composition at 90% or higher with teacher approvalListed in the school catalog as AP Seminar: British Literature, course number 2625; the advanced on-campus English course for Grade 10; transcript abbreviation: AP Seminar: British Literature | b |
Mathematics
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Calculus AB | AP | 11-12 | Honors Pre-Calculus at 85% or higher each semester, or regular Calculus at 90% or higher each semester with department chair approvalCourse number 4610; HyFlex course; AP exam fee $120; transcript abbreviations: (AP) Calculus, AP Calc AB | c |
| AP Calculus BC | AP | 11-12 | Honors Pre-Calculus at 85% or higher each semester, or regular Calculus at 90% or higher each semester with department chair approvalCourse number 4620; meets every day (double period); AP Calculus AB is not a prerequisite; AP exam fee $120; transcript abbreviations: AP Calc BC, AP Calculus BC | c |
| AP Computer Science A | AP | 10-12 | Geometry and Algebra 2 at 80% or higher each semester, or Honors Geometry and Honors Algebra 2/Trigonometry at 70% or higher each semester; a prior programming course is recommendedOffered online only (980-OLO); UC c (mathematics); online course; transcript abbreviation: AP Computer Science A | c |
| AP Statistics | AP | 11-12 | Calculus or Pre-Calculus at 90% or higher each semester, or Honors Algebra 2/Trigonometry at 85% or higher each semesterCourse number 4420; may be taken in the same year as Honors Pre-Calculus or AP Calculus; AP exam fee $120; transcript abbreviation: AP Stat | c |
Laboratory Science
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Biology | AP | 11-12 | Honors Biology at 75% or higher or Biology at 85% or higher, and Honors Chemistry at 75% or higher or Chemistry at 80% or higherCourse number 6650; must be taken with the AP Biology Lab (6652, 0.5 credit) to form a UC-approved d course; includes a spring field trip at the family's expense; transcript abbreviation: AP Bio | d |
| AP Chemistry | AP | 11-12 | Honors Chemistry at 83% or higher or Chemistry at 90% or higher, and Algebra 2 at 90% or higher or Honors Algebra 2 or higher math at 85% or higherCourse number 6610; must be taken with the AP Chemistry Lab (6612, 0.5 credit); meets every day; transcript abbreviations: (AP) Chemistry, AP Chem | d |
| AP Computer Science Principles | AP | 9-12 | Incoming freshmen: concurrent enrollment in Honors Geometry and programming experience confirmed by the teacher; current students: Algebra 1 at 90% or higher each semester or Enriched Algebra 1 at 85% or higher; priority for on-campus sections goes to Grade 12On campus 1505, online 985-OLO; online course; transcript abbreviation: AP Computer Science Principles | d |
| AP Physics 1 | AP | 11-12 | Chemistry at 90% or higher or Honors Chemistry at 80% or higher, and Geometry at 90% or higher or Honors Geometry at 85% or higher (or concurrent enrollment in Honors Algebra 2 or higher); Grade 10 students who wish to take Honors Chemistry and AP Physics 1 together need 95% or higher in both semesters of Honors Biology and Honors GeometryCourse number 6145; transcript abbreviation: (AP) Physics 1 | d |
| AP Physics C: Mechanics | AP | 11-12 | Concurrent enrollment in AP Calculus AB or BC; AP Physics 1 at 85% or higher each semester or Physics at 95% or higherListed in the school catalog as AP Physics C, course number 6150; transcript abbreviations: (AP) Physics C, AP Phys C: M | d |
Language Other than English
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Latin | AP | 12 | Two semesters of Honors Latin 3 at 85% or higher, or approval of the teacher and department chairCourse number 3433; HyFlex course; transcript abbreviation: AP Lat Ver | e |
Visual & Performing Arts
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP 2D Art and Design | AP | 12 | Portfolio submission with approval of the teacher and department chairCombined in the school catalog as AP Art & Design (1170); students must attend a summer art workshop to build the portfolio; transcript abbreviations: AP Art 2D, AP Art and Design | f |
| AP 3D Art and Design | AP | 12 | Portfolio submission with approval of the teacher and department chairCombined in the school catalog as AP Art & Design (1170); transcript abbreviations: AP Art 3D, AP Art and Design | f |
| AP Art History | AP | 10-12 | Introduction to Literature/Composition or Honors Introduction to Literature/Composition at 80% or higher, or teacher approvalOn campus 1183, online 970-OLO; online course; transcript abbreviation: AP Art History | f |
| AP Drawing | AP | 12 | Portfolio submission with approval of the teacher and department chairCombined in the school catalog as AP Art & Design (1170); transcript abbreviations: AP ART, AP Art and Design | f |
College-Preparatory Elective
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Placement Psychology | AP | 11-12 | Two semesters of World History or AP World History at 80% or higher, with approval of the instructor and department chairOnline version of AP Psychology (550-OLO). On the UC list this entry is not marked as a UC-approved honors course, while the on-campus AP Psychology is an honors course. UC states that AP courses are weighted as honors courses, but this entry carries no honors mark on the list; confirm with the school whether the online version is weighted; online course; transcript abbreviation: AP Psychology | g |
| AP Macroeconomics | AP | 12 | Two semesters of AP U.S. History at 80% or higher or U.S. History at 90% or higher, with approval of the instructor and department chairOffered online only (537-OLO, one semester); AP exam fee $120; online course; transcript abbreviation: AP Macroeconomics | g |
| AP Psychology | AP | 11-12 | Two semesters of World History or AP World History at 80% or higher, with approval of the instructor and department chairCourse number 7203 (HyFlex); transcript abbreviation: AP Psychology | g |
Course Combinations by Intended Major
The combinations below use only courses listed in the school’s 2026-27 Curriculum Guide, arranged by each course’s grade level and prerequisites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Irvine families often ask: how many AP courses does Orange Lutheran High School offer?
The figure depends on the source. The 2026-27 Curriculum Guide and the college counseling page of Orange Lutheran High School both state 21 AP courses, and the college counseling page adds that students can take 25 different AP exams. The UC A-G list for 2026-27 registers 23 AP courses, because the school's AP Art and Design is split on the UC list into 2-D Art and Design, 3-D Art and Design, and Drawing. The Academic Profile 2024-2025 states 19. Of the 21 courses, AP Computer Science A and AP Macroeconomics are offered only online.
Irvine families want to know: what is the AP pass rate at Orange Lutheran High School?
The school does not publish it. The college counseling page of Orange Lutheran High School states only that student AP scores are consistently well above the California and national averages; it does not publish the number of exams taken, the share of scores of 3 or higher, or results by subject, and the Academic Profile 2024-2025 contains no AP score data either. As a result, the school cannot be compared with public high schools whose pass rates are calculated per exam taken. When choosing courses, EDUBUS recommends asking the teacher or counselor directly about past score distributions.
Can students take AP courses in grade 9 at Orange Lutheran High School?
Yes, two of them. AP Human Geography at Orange Lutheran High School is open to incoming students placed in Honors Introduction to Literature and Composition. AP Computer Science Principles is open to incoming students who are also taking Honors Geometry and whose programming experience is confirmed by the teacher, although priority for the on-campus section goes to grade 12. In grade 10, students can continue with AP World History: Modern, AP Seminar: British Literature, and AP Art History.
Irvine families should note: which AP courses does Orange Lutheran High School not offer?
According to the UC A-G list for 2026-27 and the school's Curriculum Guide, Orange Lutheran High School does not offer AP Precalculus, AP Microeconomics, AP Physics 2, AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, AP Environmental Science, AP European History, AP Comparative Government, AP Spanish, AP French, AP Chinese, or AP Music Theory. The school offers AP Seminar but not AP Research, so students cannot earn the AP Capstone Diploma.
Must students at Orange Lutheran High School take the exam for every AP course, and what fees should Irvine students expect?
Yes. The Curriculum Guide of Orange Lutheran High School states that every student enrolled in an AP course must take the AP exam in May; a student who does not take the exam has the course grade reduced by 10%. Exams must be registered and paid for in the fall; the Curriculum Guide lists $120 per exam, subject to the College Board fee for that year. Students with a first-semester AP grade below 75% must meet with the teacher to decide whether to continue in the second semester.
