Pacific Academy Irvine is located on Alton Parkway in Irvine. It is the grades 7 to 12 campus of Pacific Academy and has no religious affiliation. Pacific Academy was founded in 1997 in Encinitas in San Diego County; the Irvine campus opened in 2011 with only 18 students in its first year, most of them international students. According to the California Department of Education (CDE) private school filing for 2025-26, the Irvine campus has 154 students, including 36 in grade 12. Two features set this school apart: small classes, which the website states average about 10 students; and a full set of supports for international students and English learners, including issuance of the I-20 (the school-issued document international students need to apply for an F-1 visa), a school-run homestay program, and three levels of English Language Development. This page does not rate the school. It answers two questions: how to gain admission, and how to plan the six or four years after enrollment.
UC A-G refers to the 7 subject areas (a through g) that the University of California and California State University require high school students to complete. UC recognizes only the courses on a school’s A-G list. AP (Advanced Placement) courses are college-level courses offered through the College Board, and honors courses are advanced courses designed by the school.
How College Preparation Works at Pacific Academy Irvine
Based on public data, the school has four defining features.
First, the school is small, and upper grades are clearly larger than lower grades. The CDE filing for 2025-26 shows 15, 16, 16, 29, 42, and 36 students in grades 7 through 12, with 14 full-time and 9 part-time teachers, and 32 graduates in the previous school year. Grade 9 has only 16 students while grade 11 has 42, which indicates that a substantial share of students transfer in during grade 10 or 11.
Second, course choices depend mainly on the UC A-G list. The school website has no course catalog, and the UC A-G list for 2026-27 registers 103 A-G courses at the school, of which 39 are UC-approved honors courses and 22 are AP subjects. Of the 103 courses, 31 are online courses, and AP Microeconomics, AP Psychology, and Multivariable Calculus are available only online. The school offers neither AP English Language nor AP Physics C.
Third, support for international students and English learners is comprehensive. The school holds federal authorization to issue the I-20, runs its own homestay program, and offers three levels of English Language Development, two levels of Sheltered English, and social studies and science courses for English learners.
Fourth, UC is the main application target. Official UC data show that in fall 2025, 28 students applied to the University of California and 27 were admitted to at least one campus, including 6 admitted to UC Berkeley and 13 to UC Irvine. On the Class of 2026 admission list published by the school, private institutions include Stanford University, Brown University, and Johns Hopkins University, along with 5 admissions to New York University and 9 to Chapman University.
How to Apply
Pacific Academy Irvine admits students in every grade from 7 to 12, and the school’s FAQ page states that it accepts students ages 13 to 18. The steps below follow the local and international application procedures on the website; the two are largely the same.
Application steps
- Call the Irvine campus at 949-398-5288 or email admissions@pacificacademy.org to schedule a campus tour
- Students whose first language is not English, and all international students, first take the iTEP SLATE Plus (minimum 3.0, test fee $141) and select Pacific Academy, Irvine when registering so that the score is sent directly
- By January 15, submit the application form, application fee, two years of official transcripts in English, a records release form, proof of identity, two teacher recommendations, and a portfolio; applications may still be accepted after the deadline if space remains
- Complete a 45- to 60-minute student interview (on campus or via Zoom) that includes questions, a timed writing task, and reading comprehension
- About two weeks after the file and interview are complete, receive a decision: admitted, not admitted, or placed on the waitlist (held until March 20)
- Within 10 days of admission, pay the enrollment deposit, program fee, and new student registration fee, totaling $6,000 for local students; international students pay a total of $7,100, after which the school issues the I-20
- Pay the remaining tuition by July 15 and take the English proficiency test and mathematics placement test arranged by the school
| Entrance exam | The school does not require the ISEE, SSAT, or HSPT. Applicants whose first language is not English and all international students must submit iTEP SLATE Plus English test scores (maximum 6.0, minimum 3.0); an application cannot be submitted without this score. The test fee is $141 and covers grammar, reading, listening, writing, and speaking; at registration, students must select "Pacific Academy, Irvine" to send scores directly. The interview also includes timed writing and reading comprehension |
|---|---|
| Application timeline | Rolling admission: January 15 is the application deadline, and applications are still accepted after the deadline if space is available. Decisions are sent about two weeks after the file and interview are complete, in one of three forms: admitted, not admitted, or placed on the waitlist (held until March 20 or another specified date) |
| Application materials | Application form; Application fee ($250 for domestic students, $300 for international students; nonrefundable); Official English transcripts for at least the two most recent years (bearing the school's embossed seal, stamp, or signature), including every year of high school; Records release authorization form (signed by a parent); Proof of status: domestic students submit a birth certificate, passport, green card, or a visa such as H2, L2, or F2 showing that an F-1 is not required; international students submit the passport biographical page; Two recommendations from subject-area teachers (formal letters, or only the teachers' names and email addresses); Student portfolio: at least three items, which may include academic work, English writing, certificates and awards, or artwork; iTEP SLATE Plus scores (international students and students whose first language is not English); International students also submit an English-language bank statement showing at least $65,000 in available funds; students transferring from another U.S. school also submit copies of their current I-20 and U.S. visa |
| Interview | The school conducts a 45- to 60-minute student interview, on campus or via Zoom, with the student only (parents are not interviewed); it includes a self-introduction, questions and answers, timed writing, and a reading passage with comprehension questions. Parents receive feedback after the interview |
| Placement at enrollment | After admission and before the school year begins, students take the school's English proficiency test and math placement test |
| Tuition and fees | Neither the school website nor the brochure lists tuition; families must ask the admissions office. Fees published on the website: application fee of $250 for domestic students and $300 for international students, both nonrefundable. Within 10 days of admission, families pay an enrollment deposit of $1,000 (applied to tuition), a program fee of $3,500, and a new-student registration fee of $1,500, for a domestic total of $6,000. The deposit is nonrefundable under all circumstances; the program fee and registration fee become nonrefundable on and after July 15 |
| Payment | Remaining tuition and other fees are due by July 15 or by the billing deadline, under the payment plan the family selects; application fees are paid through the accounting office (paiaccounting@pacificacademy.org) |
| Financial aid | The website has no tuition assistance or financial aid page. The school brochure describes a scholarship for athletically talented students, awarded to students who show exceptional potential and have financial need, and who complete a portfolio and earn academic honors |
| Religious requirements | Nonsectarian (school FAQ page: "non-sectarian"); there are no religion course, chapel, or religious service requirements |
| International students | The school holds federal authorization (SEVIS) to enroll F-1 students and issue I-20s. After paying the $7,100 in full, international students receive an admission packet and an electronic I-20, then pay the SEVIS I-901 fee themselves and schedule an F-1 visa interview; the school notes that the wait may be one to three months depending on individual circumstances. The admissions office provides a Chinese-language version of the international student application procedures. After admission, international students must pay an I-20 fee of $1,100 plus the three payments above, for a total of $7,100, before the school issues the I-20; if the visa is denied and the student cannot enroll, the school may refund $6,000 at its discretion. International students enrolling for the second semester only pay a total of $5,700 (with the program fee calculated at $2,100), and the school may refund $4,600 at its discretion in the event of a visa denial |
| Homestay | The school runs its own homestay program (PA Homestay): one-time placement fee of $300, deposit of $2,200, and a basic single-room plan of $22,000 for 10 months, which includes a private room, three meals a day, and transportation to and from school; airport pickup costs an additional $100. The deposit and housing fee are due 30 days before move-in |
| English support | The English Language Development (ELD) program has three levels, plus two levels of Sheltered English and Sheltered Social Studies and Sheltered Science, to help English learners transition into mainstream high school courses |
Three points deserve attention. First, the school does not publish tuition, so when comparing schools, families should ask the admissions office for a written quote that includes tuition, the program fee, and homestay costs. Second, the iTEP SLATE Plus is the English test the school designates, and the admissions office states that an application cannot be submitted without a score; local students whose first language is Chinese are also subject to this requirement. Third, the admissions office has a Chinese-language version of the international student application procedure, and the assistant director of admissions also serves as the school’s Designated School Official (DSO), handling I-20 matters.
Below are the application dates published on the school website and the EDUBUS advisors’ review of the school.
Application TimelinePublished on the school website
- Admission stays open all year; call or email to book a visit first (2026-27 calendar)Opens
- Application deadline; applications may still be accepted afterward if space remains (the school uses January 15 each year)Deadline
- Waitlist held until this date, or another date the school sets
- Remaining tuition due; program and registration fees become nonrefundableDeadline
Choosing a School: Total Tuition, Commute, and Campus Visits
This section answers four questions parents often ask before deciding whether to apply: which families the school suits, how to estimate costs, how to get to school from Irvine neighborhoods, and what to ask during a visit.
Which Families the School Suits
Pacific Academy Irvine suits families who live in Irvine and want the student to receive individual attention from teachers in small classes. The school has no religious affiliation, allows students to stay continuously from grade 7 through grade 12, and also accepts transfer students in grades 10 and 11. For students who have just arrived in the United States and are still transitioning in English, the English Language Development courses and homestay program are the main advantages. According to the UC 2026-27 A-G list, the school offers Chinese I through III, Chinese IV Honors, and AP Chinese Language and Culture. Families should consider in advance that the school does not publish tuition, has no school bus, and offers neither AP English Language nor AP Physics C, so students who plan to take demanding STEM courses need to arrange outside courses ahead of time.
Estimating Costs
Neither the school website nor the brochure lists tuition, so a four-year or six-year tuition total cannot be estimated from public data. What can be confirmed are the one-time fees after admission: a total of $6,000 for local students, of which the $1,000 enrollment deposit is applied to tuition and the $3,500 program fee and $1,500 new student registration fee are separate; and a total of $7,100 for international students, which also includes the $1,100 I-20 fee. Students living with a school homestay family pay $22,000 per 10 months for the basic single-room plan, plus a $300 placement fee and a $2,200 deposit. EDUBUS recommends that parents request a written quote from the admissions office covering tuition, the program fee, and homestay costs before comparing the school with others.
Commuting from Irvine
The school is located on Alton Parkway in Irvine. Measured by EDUBUS from each neighborhood’s center to the school address, the straight-line distance is about 2.8 miles from Turtle Rock, about 3.1 miles from Northwood, about 3.6 miles from Woodbury, and about 5.3 miles from Portola Springs. The school has no bus, so day students need to arrange their own drop-off and pickup; for students living with a school homestay family, the host family provides transportation to and from school. Actual driving time depends on navigation, and EDUBUS recommends timing the drive once during school hours.
Questions to Confirm During a Campus Visit
- Tuition: the tuition amount, payment plans, and whether the $3,500 program fee is charged every year.
- Financial aid: the website has no financial aid page, and the brochure mentions only scholarships for talented athletes, without amounts or the number of awards.
- Course offerings: the school has no course catalog, so the grade levels, prerequisites, and mathematics placement cutoffs for each AP course need to be confirmed in person.
- GPA rules: the website does not publish the school’s GPA weighting rules or class ranking policy.
- Graduation credits: the Curriculum page and the brochure’s subject table state 205 credits, while the body of the brochure states 215 credits.
- Scope of the admission list: whether the Class of 2026 admission list includes only the Irvine campus.
Comparison with Similar Schools
The main differences between Pacific Academy Irvine and the nearest private schools lie in entrance testing and institutional background. Distances in the table below are straight-line distances between school addresses as measured by EDUBUS.
| School | Background | Entrance exam | Straight-line distance from Pacific Academy Irvine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sage Hill School | Nonreligious, grades 7 to 12 | ISEE or SSAT | 4.1 miles |
| Crean Lutheran High School | Lutheran | No written entrance exam | 4.3 miles |
| Mater Dei High School | Catholic | HSPT | 6.1 miles |
| Heritage Christian School | Christian, grades 7 to 12 | School-based assessment | 6.8 miles |
| Cristo Rey Orange County High School | Catholic | School-based assessment | 7.2 miles |
Among these schools, Sage Hill School is also nonreligious and admits students from grade 7, but it requires the ISEE or SSAT and does not issue the I-20. Crean Lutheran High School is also in Irvine, and theology is required all four years. For tuition and courses at each school, refer to that school’s own guide.
Year-by-Year UC Data: Applicants, Admission Rates, and GPA
The data below come from the UC Infocenter of the University of California Office of the President, reported by source high school with the school type set to California private high school, and updated annually. They answer two questions: how many Pacific Academy Irvine students apply and are admitted each year, and what GPA admitted students have. GPA is the UC weighted, capped GPA, which counts only courses from grades 10 and 11. UC reports by high school code, so this data covers only the Irvine campus of Pacific Academy. UC does not publish categories with fewer than 5 applicants or fewer than 3 admitted or enrolled students; these appear as “—” in the tables.
The ten lines are hard to tell apart where they overlap. Hover over any campus name below to highlight that campus’s trend; click to keep it highlighted, and click again to clear it.Tap any campus name below to highlight that campus’s trend; tap again to clear it.
Official UC data · By high school of origin · 2014–2025
Year-by-year data for the top six UC campuses
Parents focus most on six campuses: UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, UC Irvine, and UC Davis. The table below lists, by year, the number of Pacific Academy Irvine students who applied to, were admitted to, and enrolled at each campus, along with average GPA. Use the buttons to switch metrics. Cells shown as “—” are data that UC did not publish because the numbers were too small.
This table has five data views. Use the buttons below to view admits, applicants, enrollees, admit GPA, and applicant GPA; the button for the current view is highlighted in yellow.
| Year | UC Berkeley | UC Los Angeles | UC San Diego | UC Santa Barbara | UC Irvine | UC Davis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025Latest | 6 (25%) | 3 (11%) | 7 (25%) | 10 (50%) | 13 (48%) | 11 (52%) |
| 2024 | 3 (18%) | 3 (15%) | 4 (20%) | 6 (30%) | 7 (29%) | 7 (35%) |
| 2023 | — | — | 3 (27%) | 4 (40%) | 4 (36%) | 5 (56%) |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — | 4 (27%) | — |
| 2021 | 3 (20%) | — | 5 (24%) | — | 7 (32%) | 8 (53%) |
| 2020 | 3 (33%) | 3 (27%) | 4 (29%) | 3 (27%) | 4 (27%) | 3 (33%) |
| 2019 | — | — | 5 (36%) | 5 (50%) | 5 (28%) | 4 (44%) |
| 2018 | — | — | 3 (25%) | — | 5 (33%) | 5 (63%) |
| 2017 | — | — | — | 3 (21%) | 9 (45%) | 4 (50%) |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — | 6 (50%) | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — | 3 (38%) | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — | 3 (43%) | — |
| Change, 2014–2025 | — | — | — | — | ▲ 43% → 48% | — |
| Year | UC Berkeley | UC Los Angeles | UC San Diego | UC Santa Barbara | UC Irvine | UC Davis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025Latest | 24 | 28 | 28 | 20 | 27 | 21 |
| 2024 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 20 |
| 2023 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 9 |
| 2022 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 15 | 11 |
| 2021 | 15 | 18 | 21 | 18 | 22 | 15 |
| 2020 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 9 |
| 2019 | 8 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 18 | 9 |
| 2018 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 8 | 15 | 8 |
| 2017 | — | 9 | 16 | 14 | 20 | 8 |
| 2016 | — | — | 6 | 8 | 12 | 8 |
| 2015 | — | — | — | 6 | 8 | — |
| 2014 | — | — | 5 | — | 7 | 5 |
| Change, 2014–2025 | — | — | ▲ 5 → 28 | — | ▲ 7 → 27 | ▲ 5 → 21 |
| Year | UC Berkeley | UC Los Angeles | UC San Diego | UC Santa Barbara | UC Irvine | UC Davis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025Latest | — | — | — | — | 3 | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — | 3 | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — | 4 | — |
| 2017 | — | — | — | — | 7 | — |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — | 5 | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Change, 2014–2025 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Year | UC Berkeley | UC Los Angeles | UC San Diego | UC Santa Barbara | UC Irvine | UC Davis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025Latest | 4.23 | — | 4.27 | 4.14 | 4.20 | 4.15 |
| 2024 | — | — | — | 4.25 | 4.23 | 4.13 |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — | — | 4.25 |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | 4.23 | — | 4.20 | 3.88 |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | 4.25 | 4.17 | 4.19 | — |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — | 4.01 | 3.96 |
| 2017 | — | — | — | — | 3.93 | — |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Change, 2014–2025 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Year | UC Berkeley | UC Los Angeles | UC San Diego | UC Santa Barbara | UC Irvine | UC Davis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025Latest | 4.08 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 3.96 | 3.99 | 4.02 |
| 2024 | 3.98 | 3.95 | 3.93 | 3.84 | 3.77 | 3.72 |
| 2023 | 4.18 | 4.20 | 4.20 | 4.20 | 4.13 | 4.17 |
| 2022 | 3.89 | 3.96 | 3.93 | 3.85 | 3.81 | 3.76 |
| 2021 | 3.84 | 3.74 | 3.58 | 3.45 | 3.63 | 3.69 |
| 2020 | 4.03 | 3.98 | 3.85 | 3.77 | 3.79 | 3.70 |
| 2019 | 4.21 | 4.04 | 4.04 | 4.06 | 3.86 | 3.99 |
| 2018 | 3.77 | 3.77 | 3.69 | 3.63 | 3.66 | 3.68 |
| 2017 | — | 3.73 | 3.63 | 3.62 | 3.63 | 3.64 |
| 2016 | — | — | 3.68 | 3.74 | 3.76 | 3.71 |
| 2015 | — | — | — | 3.59 | 3.56 | — |
| 2014 | — | — | 3.51 | — | 3.37 | 3.51 |
| Change, 2014–2025 | — | — | ▲ 3.51 → 4.00 | — | ▲ 3.37 → 3.99 | ▲ 3.51 → 4.02 |
Applications and Admissions by Campus, Most Recent Year
| UC campus (fall 2025) | Applicants | Admits | Admit rate | Enrollees | Admit GPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UC Berkeley | 24 | 6 | 25% | — | 4.23 |
| UC Los Angeles | 28 | 3 | 11% | — | — |
| UC San Diego | 28 | 7 | 25% | — | 4.27 |
| UC Davis | 21 | 11 | 52% | — | 4.15 |
| UC Irvine | 27 | 13 | 48% | 3 | 4.20 |
| UC Santa Barbara | 20 | 10 | 50% | — | 4.14 |
| UC Merced | 11 | 11 | 100% | — | 4.00 |
| UC Riverside | 18 | 16 | 89% | 4 | 3.89 |
| UC Santa Cruz | 10 | 9 | 90% | — | 3.92 |
College Outcomes Published by the School
Everything in this section comes from lists Pacific Academy publishes on its College Admission Results page and in its 2026 Honor Roll. The school compiles the lists itself; the unit is the number of admissions, and the lists cover the Classes of 2026 and 2025. Note what the lists measure: they show colleges that admitted students, not colleges students ultimately attended; only some colleges show a count; and the lists do not state whether they include only the Irvine campus.
ScopeClass of 2026 admission list (Honor Roll): the list shows colleges that admitted students, not the colleges students ultimately attended. The school marks the number of admits only for selected colleges (for example, Chapman University ×9) and lists the others by name only; colleges on the list without a ×n mark are counted as one admit. The school has not published the size of the graduating class, nor stated whether the list covers the Irvine campus only. Source: College Admission Results and 2026 Honor Roll ↗
Class of 2026: private and out-of-state colleges listed by the school
- Stanford University
- Brown University
- Johns Hopkins University
- Washington University in St. Louis
- Swarthmore College
- Harvey Mudd College2
- Babson College2
- University of Southern California2
- New York University5
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Northeastern University
- Art Center College of Design
- Parsons School of Design
- Chapman University9
Class of 2026: California State University (CSU) campuses on the full list
- California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
- California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt
- California State University, Fullerton
- California State University, Northridge
- California State University, San Marcos
- California State University, Channel Islands
- San Francisco State University
- Sonoma State University
Class of 2025: colleges for which the school marked admit counts (partial)
- Yale University
- Columbia University–Juilliard dual degree program2
- University of Pennsylvania
- Stanford University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Northwestern University2
- Carnegie Mellon University2
- Emory University2
- University of Southern California4
The value of this list lies outside UC. Among private institutions for the Class of 2026, Chapman University (9 admissions) and New York University (5 admissions) appear most often, along with Stanford University, Brown University, Johns Hopkins University, and others. These are counts of admissions, and one student may be admitted to several colleges, so the counts cannot be treated as numbers of students or used to estimate admission rates. The school does not publish enrollment destinations or the share of graduates attending four-year colleges. For UC applications, admissions, and enrollment, rely on the official UC data on this page.
GPA Weighting: The School Method and the UC Method
This section addresses the calculation parents most often get wrong: how the school and UC each weight the same transcript. First, the rules that can be confirmed at present.
| School weighting rules | Pacific Academy's website, brochure, and admissions pages do not publish how the school calculates GPA, whether honors and AP courses are weighted, or whether students are ranked; confirm these points in person with the college counseling office |
|---|---|
| UC weighting rules | UC counts only grades in A-G courses taken from the summer after grade 9 through the summer after grade 11, with an A worth 4 points. For California resident applicants, AP, IB, UC-transferable college courses, and UC-certified honors courses each earn up to 1 extra point per course per semester, up to 8 points in total across grades 10 and 11, of which no more than 4 may come from grade 10; grades of D and F receive no extra point. For nonresident applicants (international students on F-1 visas are nonresidents), UC applies honors weighting only to AP and IB courses, not to school-designated honors courses, when checking the 3.4 minimum GPA. For F-1 students, therefore, AP courses are the dependable weighted option; families should confirm with UC Admissions how UC-certified honors courses are treated outside the minimum GPA check |
| UC-approved honors courses at this school | On UC's 2026-27 A-G course list, the school has 39 UC-approved honors courses: 22 with "AP" in the title and 17 others, 2 of which are the semester-length online versions of AP Psychology |
Checked course by course against the official UC A-G list, the courses below are labeled honors in the school’s course names but are not on the list of UC-approved honors courses, so UC treats them as regular courses.
| School honors course | Subject and notes |
|---|---|
| English I Honors | English; a grade 9 course, which is not counted in the UC GPA in any case |
| Geometry Honors | Mathematics |
| Algebra II Honors | Mathematics |
| Biology Honors | Science |
| Grade 8 honors courses | The school brochure states that grade 8 students may take honors courses; middle school courses are not on the UC A-G course list and are not counted in the UC GPA |
The effect of this list on UC applications depends on the student’s residency status. For California residents, English I Honors is a grade 9 course and does not count toward the UC GPA in any case; the courses that need attention are Geometry Honors, Algebra II Honors, and Biology Honors, which, if placed in grades 10 and 11, take up schedule slots without adding weight to the UC GPA. Better choices in grade 10 are the UC-approved English II Honors, Chemistry Honors, or AP World History. For international students on F-1 visas, UC’s GPA rules state that for nonresidents of California (international students on F-1 visas are nonresidents), UC adds honors weight only for AP and IB courses, not for school-designed honors courses, when checking the minimum GPA of 3.4. AP courses are therefore the most reliable weighted courses in grades 10 and 11; for how UC-certified honors courses such as English II Honors and Chemistry Honors are treated outside the minimum GPA check, EDUBUS recommends that families confirm with UC admissions. One course on the list is easy to overlook: the online World History (CR) (HST106) does not carry Honors in its name, yet it is a UC-approved honors course.
Six-Year Timeline
Applying: the year before enrollment
- Fall through JanuarySchedule a tour of the Irvine campus; students whose first language is not English take the iTEP SLATE Plus first (minimum 3.0)
- January 15Application deadline: application form, application fee, two years of official English transcripts, two teacher recommendations, and portfolio; applications are still accepted after the deadline if space is available
- Once the file is complete45- to 60-minute student interview (on campus or via Zoom), with a decision in about two weeks; the waitlist is held until March 20
- Within 10 days of admissionDomestic students pay $6,000; international students pay $7,100, after which the school issues the I-20
- By July 15Pay the remaining tuition in full; take the English and math placement tests before enrollment
Grade 7
- Full yearEnglish, World History, math (Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, or Geometry), Life Science, Physical Education, and one elective
- AugustTake the STAR Reading assessment after school starts (August 19-21, 2026)
- Late SeptemberSchoolwide outdoor education (September 30 to October 2, 2026)
- OctoberOptional PSAT 8/9 (October 7, 2026)
Grade 8
- Full yearEnglish, U.S. History, math (Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Geometry, or Algebra II), Physical Science, Physical Education, and one elective; honors courses are available
- SpringThe math starting point largely determines whether a student can reach AP Calculus BC in high school; take the STAR Math assessment in May
- MayGrade 8 promotion (May 27, 2027)
Grade 9
- Full yearEnglish I or English I Honors; A-G courses begin to count toward UC subject requirements, but grades from this year are not counted in the UC GPA
- SeptemberClub Rush (September 18, 2026)
- Over four yearsComplete a total of 60 hours of community service
Grade 10
- Full yearThe UC GPA counts grades starting in the summer after grade 9; UC counts at most 4 honors points from this year
- MarchOptional PSAT 10 (March 10, 2027); AP mock exams (March 17-24)
- MayAP exams (May 3-14, 2027)
Grade 11
- OctoberPSAT/NMSQT (October 14, 2026); optional on-campus SAT (October 28)
- Full yearThe last school year counted in the UC GPA
- April to MayOn-campus SAT (April 7, 2027); AP exams
Grade 12
- November 30UC and CSU application deadline as marked on the school calendar (2026)
- DecemberFirst-semester final exams (December 14-16, 2026)
- Full yearSend transcripts through Parchment
- May 28Commencement (2027)
Three points determine the direction of these years. The first is mathematics placement at enrollment in grade 7: whether a student starts grade 7 in Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, or Geometry largely determines whether the student can reach AP Calculus BC by grade 12. The second is grade 10: it is the first year of the UC GPA and also the year many transfer students enter, so honors choices should favor UC-approved courses. The third is the PSAT/NMSQT (the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program) in October of grade 11 and the SAT that the school schedules during the school day. The school does not publish student test scores, so families need to track test preparation progress themselves.
Clubs and Academic Competitions
The school’s 2025-26 club handbook lists 35 clubs, each with a faculty advisor. Clubs related to academic and professional interests include:
- Applied Science Club
- Physics Club
- Neuroscience Club (competes in the Brain Bee neuroscience competition)
- MED Club (medical education and exploration)
- Science Olympiad
- Rocketry Club (members may earn National Association of Rocketry (NAR) certification)
- Solar Club (solar car team)
- Game Design
- Business Club (competes in formal business competitions)
- Social Entrepreneurship Club
- History Club (also supports AP history exam preparation)
- Literature Club
- Puzzle Club
- Spanish Club
- Film Club
- National Honor Society (membership by teacher nomination)
The following teams train regularly and compete (compiled from the club handbook).
- Model United Nations (MUN): practices Friday afternoons and attends conferences such as NHSMUN; a separate club fee applies
- Mock Trial: practices Thursdays after school and competes in mock trial competitions; first-semester club fee of $700
- Science Olympiad: meets during the daily 7th-period homework support class and competes in Science Olympiad tournaments
- Solar Club (solar car): builds the car on Wednesday and Friday afternoons and competes in the Solar Car Challenge
- Brain Bee (neuroscience competition): preparation organized by the Neuroscience Club
Note that the 2025-26 club handbook includes no math club and no team for individual science or mathematics competitions such as the American Mathematics Competitions (AMC). The school’s competition activities center on team events such as Model United Nations, Mock Trial, Science Olympiad, and solar car. Students who want to demonstrate strength in mathematics or science through individual competition results need structured training outside school.
Signature Programs
- English Language Development (ELD): Three levels of English Language Development, plus two levels of Sheltered English and Sheltered Social Studies and Sheltered Science, allow English learners to build English skills within subject courses and move gradually into mainstream courses. The school states that many of its English learners have been admitted to colleges such as Purdue, Boston University, and the University of Toronto
- Talented Student Program: Provides flexible schedules for touring athletes and for students in music, dance, and performance, so that course schedules can be adjusted around training and competition. The school partners with Advantage Tennis Academy (tennis) and the Center of International Basketball and Academics (basketball); students in these two programs may apply for admission at any time during the school year but must meet all admission requirements
- Project-Based Learning (PBL): Every course includes at least one project per semester, which students complete collaboratively and present to an authentic audience; the 2026-27 calendar schedules a PBL showcase for March 4, 2027
- Service Learning and Outdoor Education: Graduation requires 60 hours of community service. Each year around October, all students take part in outdoor education (September 30 to October 2 in 2026-27), and at least one optional weekend activity is offered each month; spring break includes optional international service and study trips
- College Courses and Online Courses: Students may take college courses at UC Irvine and Irvine Valley College; the school also runs an online platform, Pacific Virtual Academy. Of the 103 A-G courses on the UC list, 31 are online, including Multivariable Calculus, AP Psychology, and AP Microeconomics
- Solar Club (solar car team): Students design, build, and drive a solar car and compete in the Solar Car Challenge in Texas; the school states that it is one of only three solar car teams in California
- Model United Nations (MUN): The school's MUN team received the Award of Excellence at the National High School Model United Nations conference (NHSMUN) in New York in 2022 and 2025
Schools to CompareNearby private high schools, nearest first
Sage Hill School
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Mater Dei High School
Pacifica Christian High School, Orange County
TVT Community Day School (Tarbut V'Torah)
Newport Christian SchoolUsing the School’s College Counseling
This section explains what the school’s counseling team provides and when to use each service.
| Counseling team | The faculty directory lists Director of Counseling Services Chris Bonneau, College Guidance Counselor Ruby Mar, and academic and social-emotional counselor Stephanie Anderson, along with admissions and alumni relations staff |
|---|---|
| Counseling approach | The school FAQ page states that each student is assigned a counselor upon enrollment and keeps the same counselor throughout; the Quick Facts page lists Monthly Counseling & Advisement. College counseling is delivered through the advisement program |
| On-campus testing | The 2026-27 calendar schedules the following during the school day: PSAT 8/9 (October 7, optional), PSAT/NMSQT (October 14, grade 11), SAT (October 28 and April 7, 2027, optional), and PSAT 10 (March 10, 2027, optional), as well as AP mock exams and AP exams. The Quick Facts page lists SAT, ACT, and AP test preparation |
| College planning platform | The website does not state which college planning platform the school uses (such as Naviance, Scoir, or MaiaLearning) |
| Recommendation letters | The website does not publish the request process or timeline for recommendation letters |
| Transcripts | Official transcripts are ordered through Parchment in electronic or paper form; as of August 1, 2026, each transcript costs $9 for current students and $12 for graduates and former students |
Parchment is an electronic transcript delivery platform widely used by U.S. high schools; students use it to order official transcripts sent to colleges. For the A-G category and UC weighting of each course, see Courses and Course Selection; for the mathematics sequence, see Math Pathway; and for AP courses and the school’s gaps, see AP Courses and Strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tests do Irvine families need for an application to Pacific Academy Irvine?
Pacific Academy Irvine does not require the ISEE, SSAT, or HSPT. Applicants whose first language is not English, and all international students, must first submit an iTEP SLATE Plus English test score. The maximum score is 6.0, the minimum is 3.0, and the test fee is $141; an application cannot be submitted without this score. Once the file is complete, the school schedules a 45- to 60-minute student interview, on campus or via Zoom, that includes questions, a timed writing task, and reading comprehension. Only the student is interviewed, not the parents. After admission and before classes begin, students also take the school's English proficiency test and mathematics placement test.
How much does one year at Pacific Academy Irvine cost for an Irvine family?
Neither the website nor the brochure of Pacific Academy Irvine lists tuition, so families need to ask the admissions office. The fees published on the website are: an application fee of $250 for local students and $300 for international students, both nonrefundable; and, within 10 days of admission, an enrollment deposit of $1,000 (applied to tuition), a program fee of $3,500, and a new student registration fee of $1,500, for a total of $6,000 for local students. The remaining tuition is due by July 15 or by the billing deadline. The website has no tuition assistance page.
For a student coming from overseas to Pacific Academy Irvine, how do international students apply, and where do they live?
Pacific Academy Irvine holds federal authorization (SEVIS) to issue the I-20 needed for an F-1 visa. International students apply by January 15 and also submit a passport information page, an English-language bank statement showing at least $65,000 in available funds, and an iTEP SLATE Plus score. After admission, the family pays $7,100 (including a $1,100 I-20 fee) before the school issues the I-20; if the visa is denied, the school may refund $6,000 at its discretion. For housing, students can choose the school's own homestay program: a placement fee of $300, a deposit of $2,200, and $22,000 per 10 months for the basic single-room plan, which includes three meals a day and transportation to and from school.
Irvine families often ask: are all honors courses at Pacific Academy Irvine weighted in UC applications?
No. According to the UC A-G list for 2026-27, Pacific Academy Irvine has 39 UC-approved honors courses, but English I Honors, Geometry Honors, Algebra II Honors, and Biology Honors are not among them and count as regular courses in UC applications. In addition, for nonresidents of California (international students on F-1 visas are nonresidents), UC adds honors weight only for AP and IB courses, not for school-designed honors courses, when checking the minimum GPA of 3.4. For F-1 students, AP courses are therefore the reliable weighted option; for how UC-certified honors courses are treated outside the minimum GPA check, EDUBUS recommends that families confirm with UC admissions. The school website does not publish its own GPA weighting rules.
Irvine families want to know: where do Pacific Academy Irvine graduates go to college?
According to the Class of 2026 admission list (Honor Roll) published by Pacific Academy Irvine, private institutions include Stanford University, Brown University, Johns Hopkins University, New York University (5 admissions), and Chapman University (9 admissions), along with 8 California State University campuses. This is a list of admissions, not of enrollment. UC admission counts come from official University of California data by source high school, the most recent year being fall 2025: 28 Pacific Academy Irvine students applied to the University of California, 27 were admitted to at least one campus, and UC Berkeley admitted 6 and UCLA admitted 3.
Irvine families ask: what GPA is needed to apply to UC from Pacific Academy Irvine?
According to official data from the University of California Office of the President by source high school, the average weighted GPA of admitted Pacific Academy Irvine students for fall 2025 was 4.27 at UC San Diego, 4.23 at UC Berkeley, 4.20 at UC Irvine, 4.15 at UC Davis, and 4.14 at UC Santa Barbara; UCLA admitted 3 students, and UC did not publish their GPA because the number was too small. This is the UC weighted, capped GPA for grades 10 and 11, which adds weight only for UC-approved honors courses. UC applies different GPA rules to nonresidents of California, so students on F-1 visas should keep this in mind when comparing. Year-by-year data appears in the UC data section of this page and on the UC admissions page.
What support does Pacific Academy Irvine offer students who have just transferred to Irvine and are still learning English?
Pacific Academy Irvine offers three levels of English Language Development (ELD) and two levels of Sheltered English, plus Sheltered Social Studies and Sheltered Science for English learners. The school states that the goal of these courses is to move students gradually into mainstream high school courses. Note that none of these courses is on the UC A-G list, and students still need to complete four years of A-G English.
Is there a school bus from Irvine neighborhoods to Pacific Academy Irvine?
The Pacific Academy Irvine website has no page on school buses or transportation services, so day students need to arrange their own drop-off and pickup. For students living with a school homestay family, the host family provides transportation to and from school; the school recruits host families within 15 miles of the campus. The school is located at 4947 Alton Parkway, and EDUBUS recommends timing the commute during school hours when visiting.
