TVT Community Day School publishes its 2026-27 Upper School Course Catalog on its website, and every course entry lists grade levels, prerequisites, UC approval, and whether the course is weighted at the school. This page starts from the UC A-G list for 2026-27, regroups courses by the catalog’s departments, adds the grade levels and prerequisites from the catalog, and includes courses outside the UC list such as Hebrew Reading, athletics, and Learning Lab. First, an overview of the UC list.
UC A-G refers to the 7 course categories required by the University of California and California State University: a history/social science, b English, c mathematics, d laboratory science, e language other than English, f visual and performing arts, and g college-preparatory elective. CP means College Prep, the regular level that is neither honors nor AP.
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 1 Honors
- Honors Algebra 2 / Trigonometry
- Honors Early Modern History
- Honors English 9
- Honors Geometry
- Honors Physics
- Jewish Identity: Blood, Belief, and Behavior - Honors
- Thinking Jewishly - Honors
TVT Community Day School: Graduation Requirements (290 Credits)
TVT Community Day School counts graduation requirements in credits, with a one-semester course earning 5 credits. The table below comes from the 2026-27 course catalog.
| Subject | Credits |
|---|---|
| English (4 years) | 40 |
| History / Social Science (Early Modern History, Global Conflicts of the 20th Century or AP European History, U.S. History, and history electives; U.S. Government strongly recommended) | 40 |
| Jewish Studies (one course in each of grades 9-12) | 40 |
| Mathematics (through Algebra 2) | 30 |
| Science (one year each of physics, chemistry, and biology; four years strongly recommended) | 30 |
| World Languages (Hebrew or Spanish) | 30 |
| Visual & Performing Arts | 10 |
| Athletics / PE (5 credits per season on a school team, or Strength & Conditioning or independent study PE) | 20 |
| Electives | 50 |
The 2026-27 Upper School Course Catalog requires 290 credits to graduate, plus 100 hours of community service across grades 9-12 (the Profile describes at least 25 hours per year). A one-semester course earns 5 credits. Students seeking a diploma with Gold Distinction must earn 310 credits: 40 credits over four years in each of Jewish Studies, Hebrew, English, History/Social Science, Science, and Math, plus 10 in the arts, 20 in athletics/PE, and 40 in electives; 36 hours of service each year (144 in total); semester grades of C or above; and one Immersion course in each of grades 9 and 10.
Graduation requirements and UC application requirements are two separate standards. The table below sets 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/social science | School: 40 credits (Early Modern History, Global Conflicts of the 20th Century or AP European History, U.S. History, and history electives); UC: 2 years |
| b English | School: 40 credits (4 years); UC: 4 years |
| c Mathematics | School: 30 credits (through Algebra 2); UC: 3 years, 4 strongly recommended |
| d Laboratory science | School: 30 credits (one year each of physics, chemistry, and biology); UC: 2 years, 3 recommended |
| e Language other than English | School: 30 credits (Hebrew or Spanish); UC: 2 years of the same language, 3 recommended |
| f Visual and performing arts | School: 10 credits; UC: 1 year |
| g College-preparatory elective | All Jewish Studies courses are in category g; UC: 1 year |
| Grades and course count | UC requires 15 year-long courses with grades of C or better, 11 of them completed before grade 12 |
TVT’s graduation requirements exceed UC minimums in history, science, and world language, so a student who meets the school’s requirements satisfies most A-G categories along the way. The one area that needs extra thought is math: the school requires math only through Algebra 2, while UC strongly recommends four years. In addition, the 30 world language credits must come from a single language to meet UC’s requirement of two years of the same language; students who switch from Hebrew to Spanish need to count each language’s years carefully.
TVT Community Day School: Course Rules
This section on TVT Community Day School answers three questions: how many courses a student may take each year, how to move up a level, and how to make changes after school starts.
| Course load and passing grade | Students in grades 9-12 may take up to eight courses per year. A passing grade is C- or higher unless otherwise noted |
|---|---|
| Registration and overrides | Each spring, students choose next year's courses based on teacher recommendations. Students who want a course above their recommended level may submit a Recommendation Override Form (a student reflection plus signatures from the student, parent, and teacher) if all published prerequisites are met, limited to one course per school year |
| Add/drop and level changes | Courses may be added or dropped during the first two weeks of the term; drops after the third week appear as a W (Withdraw) on the transcript. Students may move down one level at the semester mark (for example, from AP Chemistry to Honors Chemistry) without academic penalty. Courses with low enrollment may not run in a given year |
| Adding an AP course | Returning students who want to add an AP course with summer work must do so by June 27 at 3:00 p.m. (or the preceding Friday if June 27 falls on a weekend); AP courses without summer work can be added through the first day of school. Students may move down from AP to honors at the semester mark (for example, from AP Chemistry to Honors Chemistry) without academic penalty |
| Daily schedule | Middle and Upper School hours are 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:45 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. on Friday |
| Courses outside TVT | Courses taken outside TVT (for example, an online course taken because of a scheduling conflict) count toward the Gold Distinction diploma only with prior approval from the Division Head |
| Learning Lab | Learning Lab is a small-group executive functioning class during the school day that helps students plan assignments, track grades, and communicate with teachers; it costs $5,175 per year and earns no graduation or elective credit |
The course catalog states that whether a course runs depends on that year’s enrollment and staffing, so some courses may not be offered in a given year. For 2026-27, the catalog marks Honors Machine Learning and Robotics and Linear Algebra with Differential Equations as not offered; the Upper School Profile also marks AP Environmental Science, AP Music Theory, AP Studio Art, and Hebrew 8 as not offered that year.
TVT Community Day School: Course Pathways by Subject
The pathways below for TVT Community Day School follow the grade levels and prerequisites in the course catalog. Whether each honors course is weighted at the school and by UC is noted in parentheses.
English
- Grade 9: English 9 or English 9 Honors (not weighted at the school or by UC)
- Grade 10: English 10 or English 10 Honors (UC title: Honors British Literature; weighted at the school and by UC)
- Grade 11: English 11 or AP English Language and Composition
- Grade 12: English 12, AP English Literature and Composition, or AP English Language and Composition
- English electives: Creative Writing, 21st Century Yearbook Design and Publication, and Broadcast Journalism
Weighting in English begins in grade 10: English 10 Honors (UC title: Honors British Literature) is weighted at the school and by UC, while the grade 9 honors section is weighted by neither. In grades 11 and 12, the weighted options are AP English Language and Composition and AP English Literature and Composition, and the school offers both.
Science
- Grade 9: Conceptual Physics or Honors Physics (requires Algebra Honors and teacher approval)
- Grade 10: Chemistry or Chemistry Honors (weighted at the school and by UC); AP Physics 1 is also open
- Grade 11: Biology or Biology Honors (weighted at the school and by UC)
- Grades 11 and 12: AP Biology and AP Chemistry; AP Physics C is open from grade 10 to students who have completed physics and AP Precalculus and are taking AP Calculus concurrently
- Electives: Science Research Honors, Sustainability Honors, and Body Systems and Diseases
TVT sequences science as physics, then chemistry, then biology, the reverse of the common biology-first order. Engineering and computer science courses include Introduction to Design (computer-aided design), Introduction to Computer Science (Python), Structural Engineering, Honors Analog and Digital Electronics, Honors Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, and AP Computer Science A (Java); Honors Machine Learning and Robotics (Micromouse) is not offered in 2026-27. Under UC rules, AP Computer Science A and Honors Data Science and Artificial Intelligence count as mathematics (category c), and Introduction to Computer Science and Honors Analog and Digital Electronics count as laboratory science (category d).
History and Social Science
- Grade 9: Early Modern History or Honors Early Modern History (not weighted at the school or by UC)
- Grade 10: 20th Century Global Conflicts or AP European History
- Grade 11: 20th Century United States History or AP United States History
- Grade 12: U.S. Government (one semester) or AP U.S. Government and Politics
- Electives: AP Comparative Government and Politics (one semester), AP Macroeconomics (one semester; requires a B+ in Algebra 2), AP Psychology, Social Psychology, Business & Financial Literacy, America and Vietnam (1945-1975), Mock Trial, and Foundations of Law and Argument
The history graduation requirement is four years, double UC’s two. Honors Early Modern History falls in grade 9 and is weighted neither at the school nor by UC; from grade 10 on, AP European History, AP United States History, and AP U.S. Government and Politics can each replace that year’s regular history course.
Jewish Studies
- Grade 9: Jewish Studies 9 (Ways of Belonging) or the honors section: explores the question of who is a Jew through texts such as the Books of Ruth and Jonah, ending with a personal theology paper
- Grade 10: Jewish Studies 10 (Ways of Living, Thinking, and Creating) or the honors section: the first serious study of the Talmud
- Grade 11: Jewish Studies 11 (Ways of Responding): the Holocaust and the founding of the State of Israel, in preparation for the end-of-year trip
- Grade 12: Jewish Studies 12 (Ways of (Re)acting and Interacting): Jewish ethics, Jewish life in college and responses to antisemitism, writing a d'var Torah, and presenting a personal theology to the school community
- Students new to TVT may take Foundations of Judaism in place of the grade-level Jewish Studies course
World Languages
- Hebrew 1 through 3, with Hebrew 4 through 9 as honors courses (weighted at the school and by UC); the sequence follows ACTFL speaking-proficiency guidelines and emphasizes speaking
- Spanish 1 through 4, AP Spanish Language and Culture, and AP Spanish Literature and Culture
- Hebrew Reading: a 15-hour course for students who do not take Hebrew to pass the reading test; not on the UC A-G list
The school’s world languages are Hebrew and Spanish, with no Chinese. Students who speak Chinese have no Chinese course to take at TVT and need to complete either Spanish or Hebrew.
TVT Community Day School: Complete Course Map
Expand each subject below to see the courses at TVT Community Day School. 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 list for 2026-27. A — in the grade column marks a course without a grade-level designation in the catalog (math courses are assigned by placement) or a course not listed in the 2026-27 catalog. The notes column states whether the course is weighted at the school and by UC and gives the transcript abbreviations from the UC list, for line-by-line comparison with a transcript.
History & Social Sciences
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP European History | AP | 10-12 | Early Modern History or Honors Early Modern History (or equivalent); teacher approval requiredFull year; may replace Global Conflicts of the 20th Century in grade 10; UC-certified; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: AP European History; AP Mod Euro Hist | a |
| AP Government and Politics Comparative | AP | 11-12 | Teacher approval requiredOne semester; UC-certified; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: AP Comparative Gov and Politics | a |
| AP Government and Politics United States | AP | 12 | 20th Century United States History or AP United States History; teacher approval requiredFulfills the grade 12 U.S. Government expectation; UC-certified; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: AP Government and Politics United States; AP US Government and Politics | a |
| AP United States History | AP | 11 | Teacher approval requiredFull year; may replace 20th Century United States History in grade 11; UC-certified; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: AP United States History; APUSHist | a |
| AP Macroeconomics | AP | 11-12 | A B+ or higher in an Algebra 2 course; teacher approval requiredOne semester; UC-certified; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: AP Macro; AP Macroeconomics | g |
| AP Psychology | AP | 11-12 | An A- or higher in a grade 10 or 11 history and social science course; teacher approval requiredFull year; the catalog lists it under both History & Social Sciences and Science; UC-certified; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: AP Psyc | g |
| Honors Early Modern History | Honors | 9 | Teacher approval requiredThe School Profile marks it as not weighted at the school; Not weighted by UC; UC transcript abbreviations: Honors Western Civilization | a |
| Early Modern History | CP | 9 | —Grade 9 world history; also open to new students without a prior world history course; UC transcript abbreviations: Western Civilization | a |
| Global Conflicts of the 20th Century | CP | 10 | Early Modern History or Honors Early Modern History (or equivalent)Catalog title: 20th Century Global Conflicts; UC transcript abbreviations: 20th Century Global Conflicts | a |
| US Government | CP | 12 | 20th Century United States History or AP United States HistoryOne semester; the school strongly recommends U.S. Government or AP U.S. Government and Politics; UC transcript abbreviations: GOV | a |
| US History | CP | 11 | —Catalog title: 20th Century United States History; UC transcript abbreviations: 20th Century US History | a |
| America and Vietnam: 1945-1975 | CP | 11-12 | —One-semester history and social science elective; UC transcript abbreviations: America and Vietnam: 1945-1975 | g |
| Business & Financial Literacy | CP | 11-12 | —One-semester history and social science elective; UC transcript abbreviations: Business and Financial Literacy | g |
| Foundations of Law and Argument | CP | — | —One-semester history and social science elective; UC transcript abbreviations: Foundations of Law and Argument | g |
| Mock Trial | CP | 9-12 | —One-semester history and social science elective; UC transcript abbreviations: Mock Trial | g |
| Social Psychology | CP | 10-12 | —Full-year history and social science elective; UC transcript abbreviations: Social Psychology | g |
English
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP English Language and Composition | AP | 11-12 | English 10 or English 10 Honors; a successful writing sample plus a teacher recommendation or an A- in English 10 (B+ in English 10 Honors)May replace English 11 in grade 11; also open in grade 12; UC-certified; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: AP Engl Lang | b |
| AP English Literature and Composition | AP | 12 | Three years of English; two of the following: an A- in English 11 or a B+ in AP English Language, a qualifying placement score, or a teacher recommendationThe AP option for grade 12 English; UC-certified; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: AP English Lit; AP English Literature and Composition | b |
| Honors British Literature | Honors | 10 | English 9 or English 9 Honors; two of the following: an A- in English 9 (B+ in English 9 Honors), a qualifying placement score, or a teacher recommendationCatalog title: English 10 Honors; weighted at the school; UC-certified honors course; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: English 10 Honors | b |
| Honors English 9 | Honors | 9 | Two of the following: an A- in English 8, a qualifying placement score, or a teacher recommendationCatalog title: English 9 Honors; the School Profile marks it as not weighted at the school; Not weighted by UC; UC transcript abbreviations: English 9 Honors | b |
| English 10 | CP | 10 | English 9 or English 9 HonorsCenters on British and European literature alongside the study of European history; UC transcript abbreviations: English 10 | b |
| English 11 CP | CP | 11 | English 10 or English 10 HonorsCatalog title: English 11; readings parallel the study of American history; UC transcript abbreviations: English 11 | b |
| English 12 CP | CP | 12 | Three years of EnglishCatalog title: English 12; UC transcript abbreviations: English 12 | b |
| English 9 CP | CP | 9 | —Catalog title: English 9; UC transcript abbreviations: English 9 | b |
| Broadcast Journalism I | CP | 9-12 | —An English elective that the catalog also lists under the arts; UC transcript abbreviations: Broadcast Journalism | g |
| Creative Writing: Narrative and Character | CP | — | —One-semester English elective; listed as Creative Writing in the catalog; UC transcript abbreviations: Creative Writing; Creative Writing: Narrative and Character | g |
| Creative Writing: Voice and Style | CP | — | —One-semester English elective; listed as Creative Writing in the catalog; UC transcript abbreviations: Creative Writing; Creative Writing: Voice and Style | g |
Mathematics
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Calculus AB | AP | — | Precalculus or AoPS Algebra 2/Trigonometry and Precalculus; two of the following: a test average of 90% in Precalculus (80% in AP Precalculus), a qualifying Calculus placement score, or a teacher recommendationIncludes about one month of AP exam review; UC-certified; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: AP Calc AB | c |
| AP Calculus BC | AP | — | AP Calculus AB, AP Precalculus, or AoPS Algebra 2/Trigonometry and Precalculus; two of the following: a teacher recommendation, a test average of 90% in AP Precalculus, or 80% in AP Calculus ABAP Calculus AB is not required first; UC-certified; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: AP Calc BC; CALCULUS BC AP | c |
| AP Precalculus | AP | — | Algebra 2 / Trigonometry; two of the following: a test average of 93% in Algebra 2 / Trigonometry (83% in the honors section), a qualifying placement score, or a teacher recommendationThe course ends with an introduction to differential calculus; UC-certified; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: AP PreCalculus | c |
| AP Statistics | AP | — | Algebra 2 / Trigonometry; a teacher recommendation, or a test average of 80% in Honors Algebra 2 / Trigonometry (85% in the regular section)UC-certified; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: AP Stat | c |
| Algebra 1 Honors | Honors | 7-8 | —Listed for grades 7 and 8 in the Middle School catalog; the School Profile marks it as not weighted at the school; Not weighted by UC; UC transcript abbreviations: Algebra 1 Honors | c |
| Art of Problem Solving: Algebra 2/Trig and PreCalculus | Honors | — | AoPS Geometry; two of the following: a teacher recommendation, a qualifying Algebra 2 placement score, or a test average of 83% in AoPS GeometryA competition-style math course the school lists among its honors courses; the School Profile marks it as not weighted, and UC does not weight it; Not weighted by UC; UC transcript abbreviations: AoPS Alg 2; AoPS: Algebra 2/Trig & Number Theory; AoPS: Algebra 2/Trigonometry & Number Theory | c |
| Art of Problem Solving: Geometry, Counting & Probability | Honors | — | AoPS Algebra 1; two of the following: a teacher recommendation, a qualifying Geometry placement score, or a test average of 83% in AoPS Algebra 1Listed for grade 8 in the Middle School catalog; the school lists it among its honors courses, the School Profile marks it as not weighted, and UC does not weight it; Not weighted by UC; UC transcript abbreviations: AoPS: Geometry, Counting & Probability | c |
| Honors Algebra 2 / Trigonometry | Honors | — | Geometry; two of the following: a test average of 93% in Geometry (83% in Geometry Honors), a qualifying placement score, or a teacher recommendationCatalog title: Algebra 2 / Trigonometry Honors; the School Profile marks it as not weighted at the school; Not weighted by UC; UC transcript abbreviations: Alg 2 / Trig (H); Algebra 2/Trig Honors | c |
| Honors Geometry | Honors | — | Algebra 1; two of the following: a teacher recommendation, a qualifying Geometry placement score, or a test average of 93% in Algebra 1 (83% in Algebra 1 Honors)Catalog title: Geometry Honors; also listed for grade 8 in the Middle School catalog; the School Profile marks it as not weighted at the school; Not weighted by UC; UC transcript abbreviations: Geometry Honors | c |
| Linear Algebra and Differential Equations | Honors | — | AP Calculus BC or Multivariable Calculus; teacher approval requiredNot offered in 2026-27; weighted at the school; UC-certified honors course; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: Linear Alg with Differential Equations | c |
| Multivariable Calculus | Honors | 11-12 | AP Calculus BC; teacher approval requiredA college-level course that follows AP Calculus BC; weighted at the school; UC-certified honors course; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: Multivariable Calculus | c |
| Algebra 1 | CP | — | Pre-Algebra or Algebra Foundations; two of the following: a teacher recommendation, a qualifying Algebra placement score, or a test average of 83% or higher in Pre-AlgebraListed in both the Upper School and Middle School catalogs; UC transcript abbreviations: Algebra 1 | c |
| Algebra 2 | CP | — | —Listed by UC; the 2026-27 Upper School catalog lists Algebra 2 / Trigonometry rather than a separate Algebra 2 course; UC transcript abbreviations: ALGEBRA 2; ALGEBRA 2/TRIG H | c |
| Algebra 2/Trigonometry | CP | — | Geometry; two of the following: a teacher recommendation, a qualifying placement score, or a test average of 70% or higher in GeometryThe graduation requirement runs through this level; a graphing calculator is required; UC transcript abbreviations: Alg 2/Trig, Alg 3; Algebra 2/Trigonometry | c |
| Algebra Foundations | CP | 8 | —Listed for grade 8 in the Middle School catalog; one of the prerequisites for Algebra 1; UC transcript abbreviations: Algebra Foundations | c |
| Calculus | CP | — | Precalculus; two of the following: a teacher recommendation, a qualifying Calculus placement score, or a test average of 83% in PrecalculusA non-AP calculus course; UC transcript abbreviations: Calculus | c |
| Geometry | CP | — | Algebra 1; a teacher recommendation or a qualifying Geometry placement scoreUC transcript abbreviations: GEOMETRY | c |
| Pre-Calculus | CP | — | Algebra 2 / Trigonometry; two of the following: a test average of 83% in Algebra 2 / Trigonometry (75% in the honors section), a qualifying placement score, or a teacher recommendationCatalog title: Precalculus; UC transcript abbreviations: PRE-CALCULUS | c |
| Statistics | CP | — | Algebra 2 / TrigonometryPrepares students for AP Statistics or Calculus; UC transcript abbreviations: Statistics | c |
Engineering & Computer Science
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Computer Science A | AP | 10-12 | Introduction to Computer Science recommended; corequisite of an honors or AP math course at the Algebra 2 / Trigonometry level or higherTaught in Java; UC classifies it as category c mathematics; UC-certified; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: AP Computer Science A | c |
| Honors Data Science and Artificial Intelligence | Honors | 10-12 | Introduction to Computer Science, AP Computer Science Principles, or AP Computer Science ATaught in Python; weighted at the school; UC classifies it as category c mathematics; UC-certified honors course; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: Honors Data Science and A.I. | c |
| Honors Analog and Digital Electronics | Honors | 9-12 | Algebra 2 / Trigonometry, taken before or at the same timeWeighted at the school; UC classifies it as category d laboratory science; UC-certified honors course; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: Analog and Digital Electronics | d |
| Honors Machine Learning and Robotics: Micromouse | Honors | 10-12 | Electrical Engineering or Analog and Digital Electronics, an introductory computer science course, and prior or concurrent AP Precalculus or AP CalculusNot offered in 2026-27; students build maze-solving robots to IEEE Micromouse standards; UC-certified honors course; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: Honors Machine Learning and Robotics: Micromouse | d |
| Introduction to Computer Science | CP | 9-12 | —Taught in Python with no prior experience needed; UC classifies it as category d; UC transcript abbreviations: Introduction to Computer Science | d |
| Structural Engineering | CP | 9-12 | —Includes a bridge-building competition and a life-size steel structure as the final project; UC transcript abbreviations: STRUCTURAL ENG | g |
Science
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Biology | AP | 11-12 | Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Algebra 1; teacher approval requiredUC-certified; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: AP Bio | d |
| AP Chemistry | AP | 11-12 | Physics, Chemistry, and Algebra 1; teacher approval requiredUC-certified; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: AP Chem; AP Chemistry | d |
| AP Physics 1 | AP | 10-12 | Physics and Geometry, with concurrent Algebra 2; teacher approval requiredUC-certified; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: AP Phys 1 | d |
| AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism | AP | 10-12 | Physics and AP Precalculus, with concurrent AP Calculus AB or BC; teacher approval requiredThe catalog combines electricity and magnetism with mechanics in one course (AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism and Mechanics); UC-certified; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: AP Physics C; AP Physics C: Elec & Mag; AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism | d |
| AP Physics C: Mechanics | AP | 10-12 | Physics and AP Precalculus, with concurrent AP Calculus AB or BC; teacher approval requiredTaught in the same course as AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism; UC-certified; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: AP Physics C; AP Physics C: Mech; AP Physics C: Mechanics | d |
| Biology Honors | Honors | 10-12 | Chemistry or concurrent Chemistry Honors, plus Algebra 1; teacher approval requiredWeighted at the school; UC-certified honors course; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: SC160 | d |
| Chemistry (H) | Honors | 10-12 | Physics and Algebra 1; teacher approval requiredCatalog title: Chemistry Honors; weighted at the school; UC-certified honors course; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: Chemistry Honors | d |
| Environmental Science & Sustainability | Honors | 9-12 | Concurrent Honors Physics, Honors Chemistry, or Honors Biology, or completion of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Algebra 1Catalog title: Sustainability Honors; weighted at the school; UC-certified honors course; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: Sustainability Honors | d |
| Honors Physics | Honors | 9 | Algebra Honors; teacher approval requiredUC transcript abbreviation: Honors Conceptual Physics. The School Profile does not mark it as unweighted, while the course catalog does not mark it as weighted; the two documents disagree; Not weighted by UC; UC transcript abbreviations: Honors Conceptual Physics | d |
| Scientific Research (H) | Honors | 9-12 | Concurrent Honors Physics, Honors Chemistry, or Honors Biology, or completion of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology; teacher approval requiredCatalog title: Science Research Honors; weighted at the school; UC-certified honors course; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: Science Research Honors | d |
| Biology | CP | 11-12 | Chemistry and Algebra 1The third year of the physics, chemistry, and biology sequence; UC transcript abbreviations: Biology | d |
| Body Systems and Diseases | CP | 10-12 | Concurrent Biology, or completion of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Algebra 1UC transcript abbreviations: Body Systems and Diseases | d |
| Chemistry | CP | 10-12 | Physics and Algebra 1UC transcript abbreviations: CHEMISTRY | d |
| Conceptual Physics | CP | 9-10 | —An algebra-based introduction to physics; the science sequence starts with physics; UC transcript abbreviations: Conceptual Physics | d |
| Physical Geology | CP | — | —Listed by UC; not in the 2026-27 Upper School catalog; UC transcript abbreviations: Physical Geology | d |
World Languages
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Spanish Language and Culture | AP | 11-12 | Spanish 4 and a teacher recommendationUC-certified; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: AP Span Lang | e |
| AP Spanish Literature and Culture | AP | 11-12 | AP Spanish Language and a teacher recommendationUC-certified; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: AP Spanish Literature & Culture | e |
| Hebrew 4 Honors | Honors | 9-12 | Hebrew 3 and a teacher recommendationWeighted at the school; UC-certified honors course; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: Hebrew 4 Honors | e |
| Hebrew 5 Honors | Honors | 9-12 | Hebrew 4 and a teacher recommendationWeighted at the school; UC-certified honors course; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: Hebrew 5 Honors | e |
| Hebrew 6 Honors | Honors | 9-12 | Hebrew 5 and a teacher recommendationWeighted at the school; UC-certified honors course; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: Hebrew 6 Honors | e |
| Hebrew 7 Honors | Honors | 9-12 | Hebrew 6 and a teacher recommendationWeighted at the school; UC-certified honors course; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: Hebrew 7 Honors | e |
| Hebrew 8 Honors | Honors | 9-12 | Hebrew 7 and a teacher recommendationWeighted at the school; the School Profile lists it as not offered in 2026-27; UC-certified honors course; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: Hebrew 8 Honors | e |
| Hebrew 9 Honors | Honors | 9-12 | Hebrew 8 and a teacher recommendationWeighted at the school; UC-certified honors course; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: HB 9H | e |
| Hebrew 1 | CP | 9-12 | —For beginners; the first months focus on reading and writing; UC transcript abbreviations: Hebrew 1; Hebrew Ulpan | e |
| Hebrew 2 | CP | 9-12 | Hebrew 1UC transcript abbreviations: Hebrew 2 | e |
| Hebrew 3 | CP | 9-12 | Hebrew 2UC transcript abbreviations: Hebrew 3 | e |
| Spanish 1 | CP | 9-12 | —UC transcript abbreviations: Span 1 | e |
| Spanish 2 | CP | 9-12 | Spanish 1UC transcript abbreviations: Span 2 | e |
| Spanish 3 | CP | 10-12 | Spanish 2UC transcript abbreviations: Span 3 | e |
| Spanish 4 | CP | 11-12 | Spanish 3UC transcript abbreviations: Span 4 | e |
| Hebrew Reading | Other | 9-12 | —Students who do not take Hebrew must show Hebrew reading proficiency or complete this 15-hour course and pass a reading test; offered once each semester and graded pass or fail; not on the UC A-G list | — |
Jewish Studies
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jewish Identity: Blood, Belief, and Behavior - Honors | Honors | 9 | Teacher approval requiredCatalog title: Honors Jewish Studies 9; the School Profile marks it as not weighted, and UC does not weight it; Not weighted by UC; UC transcript abbreviations: Honors Jewish Studies 9 | g |
| Thinking Jewishly - Honors | Honors | 10 | Teacher approval requiredCatalog title: Honors Jewish Studies 10; the School Profile marks it as not weighted, and UC does not weight it; Not weighted by UC; UC transcript abbreviations: Honors Jewish Studies 10 | g |
| Intro to Jewish Studies: Foundations | CP | 9-12 | —Catalog title: Foundations of Judaism; students new to TVT may take it in place of the grade-level Jewish Studies course, and it includes Hebrew reading practice; UC transcript abbreviations: Foundations of Judaism | g |
| Jewish Identity: Blood, Belief, and Behavior | CP | 9 | —Catalog title: Jewish Studies 9: Ways of Belonging; required for graduation; UC transcript abbreviations: Jewish Studies 9 | g |
| Jewish Leadership/ Jewish Ethics | CP | 12 | —Catalog title: Jewish Studies 12: Ways of (Re)acting and Interacting; required for graduation; students present a personal theology to the school community and learn to write a d'var Torah; UC transcript abbreviations: Jewish Studies 12 | g |
| Jewish Studies 11: Ways of Responding | CP | 11 | —Required for graduation; covers the Holocaust and the founding of the State of Israel in preparation for the end-of-year Poland and Israel trip; UC transcript abbreviations: Jewish Studies 11 | g |
| Thinking Jewishly | CP | 10 | —Catalog title: Jewish Studies 10: Ways of Living, Thinking, and Creating; required for graduation; the first serious study of the Talmud; UC transcript abbreviations: Jewish Studies 10 | g |
Visual & Performing Arts
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP 2D Art and Design | AP | 12 | Studio Art III, teacher approval, and a portfolio submissionCatalog title: AP Studio Art; the School Profile lists AP Studio Art as not offered in 2026-27; UC-certified; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: AP Studio Art: 2-D Design | f |
| AP Drawing | AP | 12 | Studio Art III, teacher approval, and a portfolio submissionAP Drawing appears in the School Profile list of AP courses; UC-certified; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: AP Drawing | f |
| AP Music Theory | AP | 10-12 | Teacher approval requiredThe School Profile lists it as not offered in 2026-27; the course catalog does not; UC-certified; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: AP Music Theory | f |
| Honors Video and Media Production | Honors | 10-12 | Video and Media Production or teacher approvalA UC-certified honors course, but the School Profile marks Video and Media Production honors as not weighted at the school; UC-certified honors course; weighted in the UC GPA; UC transcript abbreviations: Honors Video and Media Production | f |
| 21st Century Audio/Visual Engineering | CP | 9-12 | —UC transcript abbreviations: 21st Century Audio/Visual Engineering; Audio/Visual Engineering | f |
| 21st Century Yearbook Design and Publication | CP | 9-12 | —Full year; the catalog also lists it among English electives; UC transcript abbreviations: 21st Century Yearbook Design and Publication | f |
| Art Portfolio Development | CP | 11-12 | Studio Art IIUC transcript abbreviations: Art Portfolio Development | f |
| Contemporary Music Performance | CP | 9-12 | —UC transcript abbreviations: Contemporary Music Performance | f |
| Digital Photography | CP | 9-12 | —UC transcript abbreviations: Digi Photo | f |
| Film Production | CP | — | —Listed by UC; not in the 2026-27 Upper School catalog; UC transcript abbreviations: Film 1; Film 1: Production | f |
| Instrumental Music | CP | — | —Listed by UC; not in the 2026-27 Upper School catalog; UC transcript abbreviations: Instr. Music | f |
| Introduction to Design | CP | 9-12 | —An introduction to computer-aided design and 3D printing; listed under Engineering & Computer Science in the catalog, while UC classifies it as category f arts; UC transcript abbreviations: Introduction to Design | f |
| Introduction to Film | CP | — | —Listed by UC; not in the 2026-27 Upper School catalog; UC transcript abbreviations: Introduction to Film | f |
| Music Composition and Performance | CP | 9-12 | —UC transcript abbreviations: Music Composition and Performance | f |
| Studio Art | CP | 9-12 | —UC transcript abbreviations: Studio Art | f |
| Studio Art II | CP | 10-12 | Studio ArtUC transcript abbreviations: Studio Art II | f |
| Studio Art III | CP | 11 | Studio Art IIUC transcript abbreviations: Studio Art III | f |
| Video and Media Production | CP | 9-12 | —UC transcript abbreviations: Video and Media Production | g |
| Vocal Music Ensemble | CP | 9-12 | —The catalog marks it as pending UC approval; not yet on the 2026-27 UC list | — |
Athletics / PE
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strength and Conditioning | CP | 9-12 | —One semester for 5 credits; may be taken twice for up to 10 credits toward the athletics/PE requirement; UC transcript abbreviations: Strength & Conditioning | g |
| CIF Sports / Team Manager | Other | 9-12 | —Each season on a school team, as an athlete or team manager, earns 5 credits toward the 20-credit athletics/PE requirement; not on the UC A-G list | — |
| Independent Study Physical Education (ISPE) | Other | 9-12 | Training under a qualified coach in a sport TVT does not offer, at least 400 minutes every two weeksEarns 10 credits per school year and must be renewed each year, up to 20 credits; not on the UC A-G list | — |
Learning Center
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Learning Lab | Other | 9-12 | —Fee-based ($5,175 per year): a small-group executive functioning class during the school day that helps students plan assignments, track grades, and communicate with teachers; earns no graduation or elective credit; not on the UC A-G list | — |
Courses and Course Planning at TVT Community Day School: Frequently Asked Questions
Irvine families often ask: which courses are required to graduate from the TVT Community Day School high school?
According to the 2026-27 Upper School Course Catalog, graduation requires 290 credits: English 40, history and social science 40, Jewish Studies 40, math 30 (through Algebra 2), science 30 (one year each of physics, chemistry, and biology), world language 30, visual and performing arts 10, athletics/PE 20, and electives 50, plus 100 hours of community service across grades 9 through 12. A one-semester course earns 5 credits. The school also offers a 310-credit diploma with Gold Distinction.
How do TVT Community Day School's graduation requirements differ from UC A-G requirements, and which should Irvine families follow?
TVT's graduation requirements exceed UC minimums in most subjects: four years of history and social science (UC requires 2), three years of science (UC requires 2 and recommends 3), and three years of world language (UC requires 2 years of the same language). Math needs attention: the school requires math through Algebra 2, three years in total, while UC strongly recommends four. Jewish Studies courses are category g electives on the UC list, so they meet UC's category g requirement but are not weighted.
An Irvine student does not know Hebrew. How does world language work at TVT Community Day School?
TVT offers only Hebrew and Spanish, with no Chinese. The 30-credit world language requirement can be met entirely in Spanish (Spanish 1 through 4, AP Spanish Language and Culture, and AP Spanish Literature and Culture). Students who do not take Hebrew must show Hebrew reading proficiency or complete the 15-hour Hebrew Reading course and pass a reading test; that course does not count toward UC A-G. Hebrew starts at level 1 for beginners, and Hebrew 4 through 9 are honors courses weighted at the school and by UC.
Irvine families want to know: do TVT Community Day School's Jewish Studies courses count for UC A-G?
Yes, all in category g (college-preparatory elective). On the UC A-G list for 2026-27, the four grade-level Jewish Studies courses for grades 9 through 12, the two honors Jewish Studies courses, and the introductory Foundations of Judaism course are all listed, so they count toward UC subject requirements, but UC does not weight them; the two honors Jewish Studies courses are not weighted at the school either.
Can an Irvine student at TVT Community Day School move up into an honors or AP course beyond the teacher's recommendation?
Yes, through a set procedure. Each spring, TVT students choose next year's courses based on teacher recommendations; students who want a course above their recommended level may submit a Recommendation Override Form, with a student reflection and signatures from the student, parent, and recommending teacher, provided all published prerequisites are met, limited to one course per school year. Courses may be added or dropped during the first two weeks, and students may move down from AP to honors at the semester mark without penalty.
