Course information for Pacifica Christian High School is spread across several documents: the Course Offerings catalog on the website lists only course titles and levels, the 4-Year Planning Guide lists typical course combinations by grade, and each course’s prerequisites appear in the 2025-26 student handbook. This page is built on the official University of California (UC) A-G course list and adds the grade levels and prerequisites from these documents course by course, along with theology courses, dual credit courses and school-designed courses outside the A-G list. The overall picture of the UC list comes first.
UC A-G refers to the 7 course categories that the University of California and the California State University require high school students to complete: a History and Social Science, b English, c Mathematics, d Laboratory Science, e Language Other Than English, f Visual and Performing Arts, and g College-Preparatory Elective.
These courses are designated honors on the school transcript but are not on the UC-approved honors list, so UC counts them as standard courses in admission
- Algebra I (H)
- Algebra II (H)
- Ancient World Literature and Composition (H)
- Geometry (H)
- Honors Ancient World History I
Some of the 89 courses registered on the UC list do not appear in the school’s 2026-27 course catalog, such as Honors Trigonometry, Financial Planning and AP United States History. Whether these courses still run should be confirmed with the school; the notes column of the course map below flags each one.
Graduation Requirements (230 Credits)
The school awards 5 credits for a one-semester course and 10 credits for a year-long course, and graduation requires 230 credits in total.
| Subject | Credits |
|---|---|
| English | 40 |
| History | 40 |
| Mathematics (through Algebra II) | 30 |
| Laboratory Science | 30 |
| World Languages (2 years of the same language) | 20 |
| Visual & Performing Arts (one full year in the same discipline) | 10 |
| Theology | 10 |
| Physical Education (PE or athletic team) | 20 |
| Electives | 30 |
A semester course earns 5 credits and a full-year course earns 10 credits; 230 credits are required to graduate. A grade of D- or higher passes a course; the school states that a grade of C- or higher is needed for a course to be accepted by UC and CSU (the UC admissions website states C or higher). The first two years of laboratory science are Biology and Chemistry. Transfer students need to complete only 3 years of history. Students must also complete 25 hours of Service Learning each year.
Graduation requirements and UC application requirements are two separate standards. The table below places them side by side; the UC column comes from the University of California admissions website.
| UC A-G category | School graduation requirement / UC requirement |
|---|---|
| a History and Social Science | School: 40 credits (4 years); UC: 2 years required |
| b English | School: 40 credits (4 years); UC: 4 years required |
| c Mathematics | School: 30 credits (3 years, through Algebra II); UC: 3 years required, 4 years recommended |
| d Laboratory Science | School: 30 credits (3 years, including Biology and Chemistry); UC: 2 years required, 3 years recommended |
| e Language Other Than English | School: 20 credits (2 years of the same language); UC: 2 years of the same language required, 3 years recommended |
| f Visual and Performing Arts | School: 10 credits (a full year in the same discipline); UC: 1 year required |
| g College-Preparatory Elective | The school's 30 elective credits do not need to be A-G courses; UC: 1 year required, and the school's courses registered in category g include Economics and Honors Economics |
| Grades and course count | The school counts any grade of D- or higher as passing; UC requires 15 year-long courses with grades of C or higher, 11 of them completed before grade 12 |
EDUBUS recommends meeting the UC recommended standard in two areas: 4 full years of math and 3 full years of a world language. The school’s English, history and science requirements already meet or exceed UC standards, but grade 12 includes a full year of theology, making the schedule tighter than at a public high school, so the fourth year of math and third year of a world language need to be built into the four-year plan in grade 9.
Theology Courses and UC A-G
Checked course by course against the UC 2026-27 A-G course list: Faith & Culture is not on the list, nor is any course titled as theology, so the grade 12 theology course does not count toward UC A-G requirements or the UC GPA. Ancient World History (grade 9) and Medieval World History (grade 10) are listed as "a" (history) courses; Medieval World History II (H) is a UC-approved honors course, while Ancient World History I (H) is not. The Old Testament and New Testament study within these two courses counts toward A-G as part of the history courses.
Four-Year Sequence of Theology and Bible Study
- Grade 9: Ancient World History I or its honors version, including study of the Old Testament
- Grade 10: Medieval World History II or its honors dual credit version, including study of the New Testament
- Grade 11: British Literature, which covers the history of the English Bible
- Grade 12: Faith & Culture Seminar (full year), covering theology, philosophy, economics, and civics; the honors dual credit version corresponds to Colorado Christian University THE 201 Introduction to Theology
Course Selection Rules
This section answers three questions: how the schedule is built, how many courses students take each semester, and whether courses can be changed after the term begins.
| Schedule | The school year has two semesters of about 16 weeks each. Each day has four 70-minute blocks, and each course meets two or three times a week on a rotating schedule; a student's schedule has 8 blocks per year, usually including one or two study blocks. Mondays have an all-school late start; Tuesdays and Thursdays have either an early zero period or a late start. The school day runs from 8:40 to 2:50, and zero period begins at 7:30 |
|---|---|
| Minimum course load | Students in grades 9 through 11 must take at least 5 academic courses each semester (excluding study hall, independent study time, and academic teams); students in grade 12 must take at least 5 core courses each semester and may use up to two blocks for late arrival. The 4-Year Planning Guide states that students must take at least 5 courses on campus |
| How to select courses | Students first submit course requests in MyPacifica, which the school uses to build the master schedule; electives may not be available as a first choice because of scheduling conflicts. Courses are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to prerequisites and teacher recommendations, and courses with insufficient enrollment are not offered |
| Adding and dropping courses | Courses may be added or dropped within the first three weeks of the first semester and within the first week of the second semester, with the approval of a parent, the teacher, and the Registrar; no schedule changes are permitted afterward, and late drops are recorded on the transcript as WP (withdrawn passing) or WF (withdrawn failing). AP courses may be dropped within the first three weeks and added within the first week |
| Number of AP courses | Taking more than 3 AP courses at the same time requires administrative approval |
| Outside courses | Courses offered by the school must be taken at the school. Students who wish to accelerate must arrange outside courses with the academic and college counseling team and the department chair and submit a formal request to the Registrar; credit is granted only after approval. Grades from outside courses appear on the transcript but are not included in the school's GPA. For courses the school does not offer, students may take one outside course per semester at an approved university, college, or online school |
| Summer courses | The school does not regularly offer summer remediation or acceleration courses. A grade of F in a core academic course required for graduation must be repeated at an approved summer school; a grade of D may also be repeated |
The school has two additional rules for remaining in a level. In AP and honors courses, students must maintain a C- (70%) or higher in each grading period, and students below a C- at the end of the first semester must leave the course. Students with a semester GPA below 2.0 are placed on an academic contract, and if they do not return to 2.0 or higher the following semester, the school may require them to withdraw.
Four-Year Pathways by Subject
In the pathways below, CP refers to College Prep (regular courses that are neither honors nor AP), (H) refers to honors sections, and (H/DC) refers to honors dual credit sections that also earn college credit.
English
- Grade 9: Ancient World Literature & Composition or its honors version
- Grade 10: World Literature & Composition or its honors dual credit version
- Grade 11: British Literature & Composition or AP English Literature and Composition
- Grade 12: American Literature & Composition or AP English Language and Composition
The honors English sequence covers only grades 9 and 10, and grade 10 Honors World Literature is a dual credit course. Grade 11 continues with AP English Literature, and grade 12 with AP English Language. The thresholds are specific: regular-track students need an A- in both semesters of the previous year, and honors students need a B+ or higher in both semesters. Grade 9 Honors Ancient World Literature adds 0.5 at the school but is not a UC-approved honors course.
History and Theology
- Grade 9: Ancient World History I or its honors version, including study of the Old Testament
- Grade 10: Medieval World History II or its honors dual credit version, including study of the New Testament
- Grade 11: European History, titled European Ethics & Politics in the 2026-27 course catalog, or its honors dual credit version
- Grade 12: U.S. History or its honors dual credit version; students also take the theology course Faith & Culture
The four-year history sequence advances through historical periods in step with English, and the honors versions in grades 10 to 12 are all dual credit courses corresponding to Western civilization, modern world and U.S. history courses at Colorado Christian University. The school’s 2026-27 AP list includes no history or social science courses; although the UC list still records AP United States History, the school’s list for that year does not include it. Honors Medieval World History, Honors European History and Honors U.S. History are all UC-approved honors courses that receive extra weight in UC applications.
Science
- Grade 9: Biology or Biology (H); Biology (H) requires B or higher in Algebra I and a cumulative grade 8 GPA of 3.5
- Grade 10: Chemistry or Chemistry (H), both of which satisfy the required year of chemistry; Chemistry (H) requires A- in both semesters of Biology or B+ or higher in both semesters of Biology (H)
- Grade 11: the third year is chosen from Physics, Physics (H), Kinesiology, Honors Anatomy & Physiology (dual credit), Engineering Design and Analysis (optional dual credit), AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP Physics 1
- Grade 12: students continue to choose from the courses above; science beyond 3 years counts toward elective credit
AP Computer Science Principles is available beginning in grade 10; the school's 4-Year Planning Guide notes that it does not satisfy the school's laboratory science requirement, although UC classifies it as a "d" (laboratory science) course. The honors version of Engineering Design and Analysis earns credit through a partnership with the University of Texas at Austin. Science thresholds also rise year by year: Honors Chemistry and Honors Physics both require an A- in both semesters of the previous science course or a B+ or higher in its honors version, and AP Biology and AP Chemistry also require Algebra II completed or taken concurrently.
World Languages
- Spanish 1 through 3, Spanish Literature & Composition, AP Spanish Language and Culture, and AP Spanish Literature and Culture
- Latin 1 through 3, Honors Latin III and IV (both dual credit), and AP Latin
- The school offers only two world languages, Spanish and Latin; no Chinese course is offered
Incoming ninth graders with prior study may enroll directly in Spanish 2 or Latin 2 following a teacher assessment and recommendation. The school notes that taking two world languages at the same time may not be possible because of scheduling conflicts. UC A-G requires 2 years of the same world language and recommends 3 years; the school’s graduation requirement is 2 years of the same language. The third and fourth years of Latin are honors dual credit courses and are recognized by UC as honors courses.
Dual Credit Courses
Dual Credit courses are honors courses at the school that also earn transferable credit from a partner university: humanities and math courses through Colorado Christian University (CCU), and the engineering course through the University of Texas at Austin, open to grades 10 through 12. Students must take and pass the honors course at the school and then register and pay with the partner university by the deadline; a school grade of C or higher is required to earn CCU credit. In 2025-26, CCU charged $250 per course; the registration deadline was November 15 for full-year and fall courses and April 15 for spring courses. The 12 dual credit courses listed in the Class of 2027 Profile for 2026-27 are as follows.
- Honors Anatomy & Physiology
- Honors Calculus
- Honors Civics
- Honors Economics
- Honors Engineering Design & Analysis
- Honors European History
- Honors Foundations of Entrepreneurship
- Honors Latin III
- Honors Latin IV
- Honors Medieval World History
- Honors US History
- Honors World Literature & Composition
Of these, Honors Civics and Honors Foundations of Entrepreneurship are not on the UC 2026-27 A-G list. Whether dual credit converts to college credit depends on how the target university recognizes Colorado Christian University credit, and the school advises students to confirm with their target institutions in advance.
Complete Course Map
Organized by department. Each course shows its level, grade levels, prerequisites and UC A-G category; courses showing “—” in the UC A-G column are not on the UC 2026-27 list. The notes column indicates whether the course receives extra weight from UC, whether it is a dual credit course, and whether it appears in the school’s 2026-27 course catalog.
History & Theology
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP United States History | AP | — | —Listed on the UC 2026-27 list; not listed in the school's 2026-27 course catalog or the Class of 2027 Profile, where the advanced option for grade 12 U.S. history is the honors dual credit course; UC-approved AP course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: AP US HIST | a |
| H Medieval Wrld Histry II | Honors | 10 | A- or higher in Ancient World History, or B+ or higher in Ancient World History (H)Dual Credit course (Colorado Christian University HIS 185 Western Civilizations I); a school grade of C or higher is required to earn college credit; weighted +1.0 by the school, the same as AP; includes study of the New Testament; UC-approved honors course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: MED W HIST II (H) | a |
| Honors Ancient World History I | Honors | 9 | A- or higher in grade 8 history and a cumulative grade 8 GPA of 3.5Includes study of the Old Testament; +0.5 at the school; school-designated honors course, not weighted in the UC GPA; transcript abbreviation: H ANC W HIST | a |
| Honors European History | Honors | 11 | A- or higher in Medieval World History, or B+ or higher in Medieval World History (H)Dual Credit course (Colorado Christian University HIS 186 The Birth of the Modern World); a school grade of C or higher is required to earn college credit; weighted +1.0 by the school, the same as AP; titled European Ethics & Politics (H/DC) in the 2026-27 course catalog; UC-approved honors course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: H EUR HIST | a |
| Honors US History | Honors | 12 | A- or higher in European History, or B+ or higher in Honors European History, plus a teacher recommendation (We The People program)Dual Credit course (Colorado Christian University HIS 205 American History); a school grade of C or higher is required to earn college credit; weighted +1.0 by the school, the same as AP; UC-approved honors course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: Honors US History | a |
| Faith & Culture (H/DC) | Honors | 12 | A- in both semesters of European History, or B+ or higher in both semesters of Honors European HistoryDual Credit course (Colorado Christian University THE 201 Introduction to Theology); a school grade of C or higher is required to earn college credit; weighted +1.0 by the school, the same as AP; not on the UC A-G list, so it is neither counted nor weighted in the UC GPA | — |
| Ancient World History I | CP | 9 | —Required grade 9 history course; includes study of the Old Testament (part of the school's Theology requirement); transcript abbreviation: ANC W HIST I | a |
| European History | CP | 11 | —The school's 2026-27 course catalog titles this course European Ethics & Politics; confirm with the school whether it is the same course as this entry; transcript abbreviation: EUR HIST | a |
| Medieval World History II | CP | 10 | —Includes study of the New Testament; transcript abbreviation: MED W HIST II | a |
| US History | CP | 12 | —Transcript abbreviation: US HIST | a |
| Faith & Culture | CP | 12 | —Required grade 12 theology course (Faith & Culture Seminar), covering theology, philosophy, economics, and civics; not on the UC A-G list | — |
English
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP English Language and Composition | AP | 12 | A- in both semesters of British Literature, or B+ or higher in both semesters of AP English LiteratureMay AP exam required; UC-approved AP course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: AP LANG & COMP | b |
| AP English Literature and Composition | AP | 11 | A- in both semesters of World Literature, or B+ or higher in both semesters of Honors World LiteratureMay AP exam required; UC-approved AP course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: AP LIT & COMP | b |
| American Literature and Advanced Composition (H) | Honors | — | —Not listed in the school's 2026-27 course catalog (Course Offerings); confirm with the school whether it is offered; the catalog lists American Literature & Composition and AP English Language for grade 12 English; UC-approved honors course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: H AMERICAN LIT | b |
| Ancient World Literature and Composition (H) | Honors | 9 | A- or higher in grade 8 English and a cumulative grade 8 GPA of 3.5+0.5 at the school; school-designated honors course, not weighted in the UC GPA; transcript abbreviation: H ANC LIT | b |
| Honors British Literature and Advanced Composition | Honors | — | —Not listed in the school's 2026-27 course catalog (Course Offerings); confirm with the school whether it is offered; the catalog lists British Literature & Composition and AP English Literature for grade 11 English; UC-approved honors course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: British Literature (H) | b |
| World Literature and Composition (H) | Honors | 10 | A- in both semesters of grade 9 English, or B+ or higher in both semesters of grade 9 honors EnglishDual Credit course (Colorado Christian University ENG 201 Intro to Literature); a school grade of C or higher is required to earn college credit; weighted +1.0 by the school, the same as AP; UC-approved honors course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: World Literature (H) | b |
| American Literature and Composition | CP | 12 | —Transcript abbreviation: AMERICAN LIT | b |
| Ancient World Literature and Composition | CP | 9 | —Transcript abbreviation: ANC W LIT | b |
| British Literature and Composition | CP | 11 | —The school states that the course covers The History of the English Bible; transcript abbreviation: BRIT LIT | b |
| World Literature and Composition | CP | 10 | —Transcript abbreviation: WRLD LIT | b |
Mathematics
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Calculus AB | AP | 10-12 | A- or higher in both semesters of Precalculus (H)The 4-Year Planning Guide lists this course in grades 10 through 12; May AP exam required; UC-approved AP course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: AP Calc AB | c |
| AP Calculus BC | AP | 11-12 | A- or higher in AP Calculus AB, plus a teacher recommendationTitled AP Calculus BC and Linear Algebra in the 2025-26 Student Handbook (includes linear algebra); May AP exam required; UC-approved AP course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: AP CALC BC | c |
| AP Statistics | AP | 11-12 | Completion of Precalculus, or A- or higher in Algebra II, or B+ or higher in Algebra II (H)May AP exam required; UC-approved AP course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: AP Statistics | c |
| Algebra I (H) | Honors | — | —Not listed in the school's 2026-27 course catalog (Course Offerings); confirm with the school whether it is offered; school-designated honors course, not weighted in the UC GPA; transcript abbreviation: H ALG I | c |
| Algebra II (H) | Honors | 9-11 | Incoming ninth graders: B+ or higher in Geometry (H) or A- or higher in Geometry, and a cumulative grade 8 GPA of 3.5; current students: A- or higher in Geometry or B+ or higher in Geometry (H)+0.5 at the school; a separate course from the UC-approved Algebra II + Trigonometry (H); school-designated honors course, not weighted in the UC GPA; transcript abbreviation: H ALG II | c |
| Geometry (H) | Honors | 9-10 | Incoming ninth graders: A- or higher in middle school Algebra I, a cumulative grade 8 GPA of 3.5, and an ISEE Quantitative Reasoning and Mathematics Achievement score of 4 or higher; grade 10: A- in Algebra I+0.5 at the school; school-designated honors course, not weighted in the UC GPA; transcript abbreviation: H GEOM | c |
| Honors Algebra II + Trig | Honors | 9-11 | No threshold listed in the Student Handbook; confirm with the math departmentTitled Algebra II + Trigonometry (H) in the 2026-27 course catalog; +0.5 at the school; UC-approved honors course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviations: H. Alg 2 + Trig, Honors Algebra II + Trigonometry | c |
| Honors Calculus | Honors | 12 | No threshold listed in the Student HandbookTitled Calculus (H/DC) in the 2026-27 course catalog; listed in the Class of 2027 Profile as a new Dual Credit course for 2026-27; weighted +1.0 by the school, the same as AP; UC-approved honors course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: HC | c |
| Honors Trigonometry | Honors | — | —Not listed in the school's 2026-27 course catalog (Course Offerings); confirm with the school whether it is offered; UC-approved honors course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: Honors Trigonometry | c |
| Precalculus (H) | Honors | 10-12 | A in both semesters of Algebra II, or A- or higher in both semesters of Algebra II (H)+0.5 at the school; UC-approved honors course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: H PRECALC | c |
| Algebra I | CP | 9 | —Transcript abbreviation: ALG I | c |
| Algebra II | CP | 9-11 | Passing grades in Geometry and Algebra ITranscript abbreviation: ALG II | c |
| Algebra III / Trigonometry | CP | — | —Not listed in the school's 2026-27 course catalog (Course Offerings); confirm with the school whether it is offered; transcript abbreviation: Alg III/Trig | c |
| Finite Math | CP | 10-12 | Completion of Algebra IICan serve as a fourth year of mathematics after Algebra II; transcript abbreviation: Finite Math | c |
| Geometry | CP | 9-10 | No threshold listed in the Student HandbookTranscript abbreviation: GEOM | c |
| Precalculus | CP | 10-12 | A- or higher in Algebra II to take it in grade 10Transcript abbreviation: PRECALC | c |
Science
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Biology | AP | 11-12 | A- in both semesters of Chemistry and Biology, or B or higher in both semesters of Chemistry (H) and Biology (H), plus Algebra II completed or taken concurrently; Precalculus taken concurrently is recommendedMay AP exam required; UC-approved AP course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: AP BIO | d |
| AP Chemistry | AP | 11-12 | A- in both semesters of Chemistry, or B+ or higher in both semesters of Chemistry (H), plus Algebra II completed or taken concurrently; Precalculus taken concurrently is recommendedMay AP exam required; UC-approved AP course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: AP Chemistry | d |
| AP Computer Science Principles | AP | 10-12 | Completion of Algebra II recommendedListed in the school schedule as AP Computer Science; the 4-Year Planning Guide notes that this course does not satisfy the school's laboratory science requirement, while the UC list classifies it as a "d" course; UC-approved AP course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: AP CSP | d |
| AP Physics C: Mechanics | AP | 11-12 | AP Calculus AB taken concurrently or completedThe school's Graduation Requirements page still lists this course, but the 2026-27 course catalog and the Class of 2027 Profile list AP Physics 1 instead; confirm with the school whether it is offered; UC-approved AP course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: AP Phys. C M | d |
| AP Physics 1 | AP | 11-12 | No threshold listed in the Student HandbookListed in the Class of 2027 Profile, on the College Counseling page, and in the 2026-27 course catalog; +1.0 at the school; not on the UC 2026-27 A-G list; confirm with the school how UC treats it | — |
| Biology (H) | Honors | 9 | B or higher in Algebra I and a cumulative grade 8 GPA of 3.5+0.5 at the school; UC-approved honors course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: H BIO | d |
| Chemistry (H) | Honors | 10 | A- in both semesters of Biology, or B+ or higher in both semesters of Biology (H); Algebra II completed or taken concurrently is recommended+0.5 at the school; UC-approved honors course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: Chemistry (H) | d |
| Engineering Design and Analysis (H) | Honors | 11-12 | Completion of Biology, Chemistry, and GeometryDual Credit course (University of Texas at Austin); weighted +1.0 by the school, the same as AP; UC-approved honors course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: Engineering Design and Analysis (H) | d |
| Honors Anatomy & Physiology | Honors | 11-12 | Completion of Biology and Algebra I, plus Chemistry completed or taken concurrentlyDual Credit course (Colorado Christian University BIO 201/211 Anatomy & Physiology); a school grade of C or higher is required to earn college credit; weighted +1.0 by the school, the same as AP; UC-approved honors course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: H Anatomy/Phys | d |
| Physics (H) | Honors | 11-12 | A- in both semesters of Chemistry, or B+ or higher in both semesters of Chemistry (H), plus Algebra II completed or taken concurrently+0.5 at the school; UC-approved honors course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: H PHY | d |
| Biology | CP | 9 | —Required grade 9 science course; transcript abbreviation: BIO | d |
| Chemistry | CP | 10 | None; Algebra II completed or taken concurrently is recommendedRequired grade 10 science course; transcript abbreviation: CHEM | d |
| Engineering Design and Analysis | CP | 11-12 | Completion of Biology, Chemistry, and GeometryThe 4-Year Planning Guide also lists this course in grade 10; transcript abbreviation: Engineering Design and Analysis | d |
| Kinesiology | CP | 11-12 | Completion of Biology and Chemistry; completion of Geometry is recommendedTranscript abbreviation: Kinesio | d |
| Physics | CP | 11-12 | —Transcript abbreviation: PHY | d |
World Languages
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Latin | AP | 12 | No threshold listed in the Student HandbookThe 4-Year Planning Guide lists this course in grade 12; May AP exam required; UC-approved AP course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: AP Latin 4 | e |
| AP Spanish Language and Culture | AP | 11-12 | Teacher recommendation, or an A in Spanish 3May AP exam required; UC-approved AP course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: AP SPAN IV | e |
| AP Spanish Literature and Culture | AP | 12 | No threshold listed in the Student HandbookTitled AP Spanish Literature & Composition in the 2026-27 course catalog; May AP exam required; UC-approved AP course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: AP Spanish V | e |
| Honors Latin III (H) | Honors | 10-11 | Teacher recommendationDual Credit course (Colorado Christian University LAT 201 Latin); a school grade of C or higher is required to earn college credit; weighted +1.0 by the school, the same as AP; UC-approved honors course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: Latin III (H) | e |
| Latin 4 (H) | Honors | 11-12 | Teacher recommendationDual Credit course (Colorado Christian University LNG 179); a school grade of C or higher is required to earn college credit; weighted +1.0 by the school, the same as AP; UC-approved honors course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: H LAT 4 | e |
| Spanish 3 (H) | Honors | — | —Not listed in the school's 2026-27 course catalog (Course Offerings); confirm with the school whether it is offered; UC-approved honors course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: Spanish 3 (H) | e |
| Spanish Literature and Composition (Honors) | Honors | — | —Not listed in the school's 2026-27 course catalog (Course Offerings); confirm with the school whether it is offered (the catalog lists only the regular version); UC-approved honors course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: Spanish Literature and Composition(H) | e |
| Latin I | CP | 9 | —Transcript abbreviation: Latin I | e |
| Latin II | CP | 9-10 | C or higher in Latin 1; incoming ninth graders require a teacher assessment and recommendationTranscript abbreviation: Latin II | e |
| Latin III | CP | 10-11 | Teacher recommendation, or C or higher in Latin 2Transcript abbreviation: Latin III | e |
| Spanish 1 | CP | 9 | —Transcript abbreviation: Spanish 1 | e |
| Spanish 2 | CP | 9-10 | C or higher in Spanish 1; incoming ninth graders require a teacher assessment and recommendationTranscript abbreviation: Spanish 2 | e |
| Spanish 3 | CP | 10-11 | Teacher recommendation, or C or higher in Spanish 2Transcript abbreviation: Spanish 3 | e |
| Spanish Literature and Composition | CP | 11-12 | C or higher in Spanish 3Transcript abbreviation: Spanish Literature and Composition | e |
Visual & Performing Arts
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP 2D Art and Design | AP | 11-12 | C or higher in Digital Arts 2 or 3Portfolio course; AP portfolio assessment required; UC-approved AP course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: AP 2-D ART/DESIGN | f |
| AP 3D Art and Design | AP | 11-12 | No threshold listed in the Student HandbookPortfolio course; AP portfolio assessment required; UC-approved AP course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: AP 3D Art | f |
| AP Drawing | AP | 11-12 | B or higher in Drawing & Painting 1, or a waiver granted after presenting work to the Director of Visual ArtsPortfolio course; AP portfolio assessment required; UC-approved AP course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: AP Studio Art: Drawing | f |
| Advanced Chamber Choir (H) | Honors | — | —The 2026-27 course catalog lists only one course, Chamber Choir (H); confirm with the school which course on the UC list it corresponds to; UC-approved honors course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: Trns. | f |
| Honors Chamber Choir (H) | Honors | 9-12 | Teacher recommendationTitled Chamber Choir (H) in the 2026-27 course catalog and Cantemus Choir in the 2025-26 Student Handbook; +0.5 at the school; UC-approved honors course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: ACC | f |
| Honors Theatre Arts II | Honors | — | —Not listed in the school's 2026-27 course catalog (Course Offerings); confirm with the school whether it is offered (the catalog lists only Theatre II); UC-approved honors course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: Trns. | f |
| 3D Art | CP | 11-12 | —Transcript abbreviation: 3D Art | f |
| Advanced Choir | CP | — | —Not listed in the school's 2026-27 course catalog (Course Offerings); confirm with the school whether it is offered; transcript abbreviation: AC | f |
| Basic Choir | CP | — | —Not listed in the school's 2026-27 course catalog (Course Offerings); confirm with the school whether it is offered; transcript abbreviation: Choir | f |
| Choir | CP | 9-12 | —Transcript abbreviation: Trns. | f |
| Digital Arts 1 | CP | 9-12 | —Transcript abbreviation: Digital Arts 1 | f |
| Digital Arts II | CP | 10-12 | C or higher in Digital Arts 1Transcript abbreviation: Digital Arts II | f |
| Digital Arts III - Graphic Design & Marketing | CP | 11-12 | C or higher in Digital Arts 2Transcript abbreviation: Digital Arts 3 - Graphic Design & Marketing | f |
| Drawing & Painting II | CP | 9-12 | Completion of Drawing & Painting 1, or a waiver granted after presenting work to the Director of Visual ArtsTranscript abbreviation: Drawing & Painting II | f |
| Drawing and Painting I | CP | 9-12 | —Transcript abbreviation: Drawing and Painting I | f |
| Introduction to Photography | CP | — | —Not listed in the school's 2026-27 course catalog (Course Offerings); confirm with the school whether it is offered; transcript abbreviation: Photo I | f |
| Theatre | CP | — | —Not listed in the school's 2026-27 course catalog (Course Offerings); confirm with the school whether it is offered (the catalog lists Theatre I); transcript abbreviation: Trns. | f |
| Theatre I | CP | 9-12 | —Transcript abbreviation: Theatre I | f |
| Theatre II | CP | 10-12 | Completion of Theatre ITranscript abbreviation: Theatre II | f |
| Theatre Production | CP | 9-12 | —Recorded by the school as credit or non-graded and not included in the school GPA; transcript abbreviation: TP1/2 | f |
Electives
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honors Economics | Honors | 11-12 | —Dual Credit course (Colorado Christian University ECO 215 Economics); a school grade of C or higher is required to earn college credit; weighted +1.0 by the school, the same as AP; one semester; UC-approved honors course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: Honors Economics | g |
| Honors Financial Planning | Honors | — | —Not listed in the school's 2026-27 course catalog (Course Offerings); confirm with the school whether it is offered; UC-approved honors course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: H. Financial Planning | g |
| Honors Journalism/Yearbook | Honors | — | —Not listed in the school's 2026-27 course catalog (Course Offerings); confirm with the school whether it is offered (the catalog lists only Yearbook); UC-approved honors course, weighted in UC applications; transcript abbreviation: H Yearbook | g |
| Civics (H) | Honors | 11-12 | —Offered in the fall semester only; listed in the Class of 2027 Profile as a 2026-27 Dual Credit course; not on the UC A-G list | — |
| Honors Foundations of Entrepreneurship | Honors | — | —Listed in the Class of 2027 Profile as a 2026-27 Dual Credit course (dual credit open to grades 10-12); not listed separately in the course catalog; not on the UC A-G list | — |
| Economics | CP | 11-12 | —One semester; transcript abbreviation: Economics | g |
| Financial Planning | CP | — | —Not listed in the school's 2026-27 course catalog (Course Offerings); confirm with the school whether it is offered; transcript abbreviation: Financial Planning | g |
| Yearbook | CP | 9-12 | Teacher recommendationTranscript abbreviation: YRBK | g |
| Creative Writing | CP | 10-12 | —Creative writing elective; not on the UC A-G list | — |
| TGC Scholars | Other | 12 | Must be a TGC Honors student and submit a research proposal for approval in the summer (July) after grade 11Year-long research project with one-on-one faculty mentoring; requires a research paper of at least 20 pages and a presentation at the Senior Symposium; progress counts toward the Faith & Culture grade; not on the UC A-G list | — |
Physical Education
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent Physical Education | Other | 9-12 | —The physical education graduation requirement is 2 years and may be met through Independent Physical Education or athletic team seasons (each season earns one semester, 5 credits); credit only, not included in the GPA; not on the UC A-G list | — |
Other
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freshman Study Hall | Other | 9 | —Required study hall every semester in grade 9, in which the academic support team leads the Skills for Life curriculum; beginning in grade 10, students with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 must also return to an assigned study hall; no credit | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
For Irvine families: do theology courses at Pacifica Christian High School count as UC A-G courses?
No. According to the UC A-G list for 2026-27, the grade 12 theology course at Pacifica Christian High School, Faith & Culture, and its honors dual credit version are not on the list, and no other theology-titled course appears on it. The school's Old Testament and New Testament study is built into grade 9 Ancient World History and grade 10 Medieval World History; these two history courses are registered in UC category a, and Honors Medieval World History II is a UC-approved honors course.
How do graduation requirements at Pacifica Christian High School differ from UC A-G requirements, and which should Irvine families follow when choosing courses?
Pacifica Christian High School requires 230 credits to graduate, including 4 years each of English and history, 3 years of math through Algebra II, 3 years of lab science, 2 years of the same world language, 1 year of arts, 1 year of theology, 2 years of physical education and 3 years of electives. The school's science requirement already exceeds the UC minimum of 2 years, and its 4 years of history also exceed the UC requirement of 2 years. The gaps are mainly in math and world languages: UC recommends 4 years of math and 3 years of a world language, while the school requires only 3 years and 2 years. Students should complete math and world languages to the UC recommended level.
For Irvine families: when do students at Pacifica Christian High School select courses, and can they change them after the term starts?
Students at Pacifica Christian High School first submit course requests in MyPacifica, and the school builds the master schedule from those requests; electives may not be scheduled as a first choice because of conflicts. After classes begin, students may add or drop courses within three weeks in the first semester and within one week in the second semester, with the consent of parents, the course teacher and the registrar. After that, course changes are not permitted, and a late drop is recorded on the transcript as WP or WF. AP courses may be dropped within the first three weeks and added within the first week.
Can Irvine families have students take courses outside school and record them on the Pacifica Christian High School transcript?
Under certain conditions. Pacifica Christian High School requires that courses the school offers be taken at the school. Students who want to accelerate must agree on an outside course with the academic and college counseling team and the department chair, and submit a formal request to the registrar; credit is granted only after approval. Grades for these courses appear on the transcript but are not included in the school GPA. For courses the school does not offer, students may take one per semester at an approved university, college or online school.
Can Irvine students who speak Chinese take Chinese at Pacifica Christian High School?
No. Pacifica Christian High School offers only two world languages, Spanish and Latin, as the admissions FAQ page on the website states. UC requires 2 years of the same world language and recommends 3 years, and the school's graduation requirement is 2 years of the same language. Students with a background in Chinese who want to use Chinese to satisfy the UC world language requirement need to look separately into how UC recognizes outside courses or exam scores.
Which courses can incoming grade 9 students from Irvine take at the honors level at Pacifica Christian High School?
It depends on grade 8 grades. The Pacifica Christian High School 2025-26 student handbook states that Honors Ancient World Literature requires an A- or higher in grade 8 English, Honors Ancient World History requires an A- or higher in grade 8 history, and Honors Biology requires a B or higher in Algebra I; all three also require a cumulative grade 8 GPA of 3.5. Honors Geometry additionally requires an A- or higher in middle school Algebra I and ISEE Quantitative Reasoning and Mathematics Achievement scores of 4 or higher. Of these, only Honors Biology is a UC-approved honors course.
