10 Best High Schools in Irvine, CA (2025 Guide)

Picking a high school in Irvine? It’s a big decision, and honestly, kind of a double-edged sword. On one hand, you’ve got some of the best schools in California right here. On the other, there are so many good ones, it can be hard to figure out which one actually fits your child (or you, if you're the student reading this).

That’s why we pulled together this guide. From public schools with standout STEM programs to private schools offering smaller class sizes and even innovative options like project-based learning or early college credits, we’ve got you covered!

Top High Schools in Irvine in 2025

School	Type	Enrollment	Graduation Rate	Vibe Summary
University High School	Public	~2,226	96%	High-achieving and competitive. Best for motivated, self-driven students.
Northwood High School	Public	~2,310	96%	Strong academics with a calmer atmosphere. Balance is a big plus here.
Portola High School	Public	~2,503	96%	Modern, student-centered, and upbeat. Still building prestige, but fast-growing.
Woodbridge High School	Public	~2,224	95%	Warm, creative, and community-oriented. Great mix of academics and arts.
Irvine High School	Public	~1,951	93%	Classic, grounded, and diverse. Ideal for families who want consistency over hype.
Crean Lutheran High School	Private (Christian)	~982	100%	Faith-based and structured. Best for families looking for a calm, values-based school.
TVT Community Day School	Private (Jewish)	~802	100%	Small and nurturing, with a strong academic and values-driven foundation.
Arnold O. Beckman High School	Public	~2,713	98%	Top academic reputation. Families move into its zone for a reason.
Early College High School	Public (Early College)	~200	100%	Accelerated, college-focused. Great for mature, motivated students.
Pacific Academy	Private (College-Prep)	~164	100%	Tiny, quiet, and flexible. Best for focused learners who want peace and structure.

1. University High School

Type: Public
District: Irvine Unified School District
Enrollment: ~2,226
Graduation Rate: 96%
Location: 4771 Campus Dr, Irvine, CA 92612

Everyone in Irvine knows Uni. It’s the school with a rep for being tough, but in a way that works for kids who like a challenge. If your teen is the type who genuinely enjoys AP classes and doesn’t mind some academic pressure, they’ll probably feel right at home here.

Academic Programs: Tons of AP options, especially in math and science. Some students even get research gigs through UC Irvine, it’s just down the street.

Extracurriculars & Student Life: Theater performances sell out. The orchestra’s legit. And if you’re into clubs? Robotics, chess, dance, there’s a lot going on.

Things to Know: It’s intense. Not much hand-holding. But for motivated students, it opens doors.

2. Northwood High School

Type: Public
District: Irvine Unified School District
Enrollment: ~2,310
Graduation Rate: 96%
Location: 4515 Portola Pkwy, Irvine, CA 92620 

If Uni feels like a race, Northwood feels more like a steady hike, you’ll still get to the top, but you’ll breathe a little easier along the way. A lot of families like that balance. The teachers here actually talk to students like people, and kids say they feel seen, not just graded.

Academic Programs: Yes, there are APs, plenty of them. STEM is strong, and college prep is solid. But you won’t find the same cutthroat vibe some other schools have. It’s more about growing than proving something.

Extracurriculars & Student Life: Their music program? Really impressive. Theater too. You’ll find your people if you join something. It’s a quieter social scene unless you're plugged into a club or team.

Things to Know: Great for students who are serious, but don’t want to lose their minds in the process.

3. Portola High School

Type: Public
District: Irvine Unified School District
Enrollment: ~2,503
Graduation Rate: 96%
Location: 1001 Cadence, Irvine, CA 92618

Portola’s pretty new, opened in 2016, so everything feels modern, from the classrooms to the way they actually listen to students. You walk onto campus and it just feels different. Kids say the teachers are chill but care, and there’s less of that old-school hierarchy vibe.

Academic Programs: They’re big on STEAM, and they tweak the curriculum every year based on what’s working. It’s not stuck in the past, and that’s refreshing. APs are solid, but it’s not all test scores.

Extracurriculars & Student Life: Lots of school spirit. The drama and music departments get a ton of love. You’ll see kids actually excited to be there, which says a lot. Teachers seem approachable, like, students aren’t scared to ask questions.

Things to Know: Since it’s newer, it’s still building that “college name-drop” status. But it’s growing fast, and kids seem genuinely happy.

4. Woodbridge High School

Type: Public
District: Irvine Unified School District
Enrollment: ~2,224
Graduation Rate: 95%
Location: 2 Meadowbrook, Irvine, CA 92604

Woodbridge has this well-worn, welcoming energy. You get the feeling people like being here, teachers, students, even the band kids sprinting across campus to rehearsal. It’s not trying to be the “top school in the state.” It’s just doing its thing, and doing it well. Kids here get a little bit of everything, academics, arts, athletics, and actual joy.

Academic Programs: Plenty of AP classes, especially if your teen leans toward the arts or humanities. Career-tech classes too, which is rare in Irvine.

Extracurriculars & Student Life: If your kid is into music, theater, or literally any sport, they’ll find their people. Spirit weeks, band performances, and packed theater nights are all a big deal here.

Things to Know: Some high-achieving kids might look elsewhere for more academic intensity, but for most students, this place feels like home.

5. Irvine High School

Type: Public
District: Irvine Unified School District
Enrollment: ~1,951
Graduation Rate: 93%
Location: 4321 Walnut Ave, Irvine, CA 92604

Irvine High feels like the most “classic” public school in the city: no frills, no pressure cooker, just a solid place for students to learn and grow. It doesn’t chase rankings, and it’s not trying to outdo anyone. But it has heart. Teachers know their students. The campus feels familiar and grounded. If you’re looking for a school that prioritizes consistency and community over hype, this is it.

Academic Programs: There are APs and honors, but it’s not all about racking up the most credits. It’s more about making steady progress, without burning kids out.

Extracurriculars & Student Life: There’s something for everyone. You’ve got sports, music, a strong arts scene, and a ton of cultural clubs. The student body’s diverse, and it shows.

Things to Know: It doesn’t have the flash of Uni or Northwood, but that’s kind of the point. It’s a school for real life, not just resumes.

6. Crean Lutheran High School

Type: Private (Religious – Lutheran)
District: Independent
Enrollment: ~982
Graduation Rate: 100%
Location: 12500 Sand Canyon Ave, Irvine, CA 92618

Crean feels kind of like a quiet, well-kept bubble. The campus is super clean, everything runs on schedule, and there’s this calm, no-drama energy to the place. It’s definitely for families who want a faith-based high school, not just in name, but in everyday life. Chapel’s not optional, and the values show up in how things are taught, how the day is structured, even in the dress code.

Academic Programs: Academics are solid. Lots of APs, and kids can take dual-enrollment classes to knock out college credit early. The business and STEM tracks are pretty popular. They take college prep seriously, but they’re not breathing down students’ necks every second either. It’s organized, not overwhelming.

Extracurriculars & Student Life: The vibe isn’t loud. You won’t see huge rallies or kids going wild on spirit days, but there’s a strong sense of community. Students show up, they take care of their stuff, they support each other. It’s got a “steady as she goes” feel. Some kids love that structure. Others might find it a little too quiet.

Things to Know: This is a school where the Christian part isn’t just on a poster in the lobby, it’s baked into the whole experience. If that aligns with what your family wants, you’ll probably feel really comfortable here. If not, it might feel a little too stitched-up.

7. TVT (Tarbut V'Torah) Community Day School

Type: Private (Religious – Jewish)
District: Independent
Enrollment: ~802
Graduation Rate: 100%
Location: 5 Federation Way, Irvine, CA 92603

TVT is one of those high schools in Irvine that feels like a small, tight-knit village. It’s grounded in Jewish values, but super welcoming, lots of families here aren’t Jewish at all. What really stands out is how much attention students get. It’s academic, yes, but no one’s disappearing into the crowd.

Academic Programs: Plenty of APs and electives, plus classes in Jewish studies and Hebrew. But even with tradition baked in, the school’s very forward-thinking: STEAM, ethics, leadership, all that. And the college counseling? People rave about it.

Extracurriculars & Student Life: Kids stay busy, in a good way. From art shows to global leadership projects, there’s space for every personality here. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about showing up and caring.

Things to Know: It’s one of the pricier options in Irvine, but many families say the cultural experience and support system make it worth it.

8. Arnold O. Beckman High School

Type: Public
District: Tustin Unified School District
Enrollment: ~2,713
Graduation Rate: 98%
Location: 3588 Bryan Ave, Irvine, CA 92602

Technically, Beckman isn’t part of Irvine Unified, it’s in the Tustin district, but don’t let that throw you. A lot of Irvine families actually move into this zone on purpose. It’s a big, well-run school that feels serious about academics but still manages to have fun. You’ll hear Beckman come up often when folks talk about “the good schools” around here.

Academic Programs: There’s a long list of APs (20+), and they lean into STEM in a real way. They’ve also got a career-tech program that’s growing fast, which is great for students who want more hands-on skills, not just test prep.

Extracurriculars & Student Life: Beckman’s got energy. Sports, music, academic teams, they’re all strong. The student body’s involved, and there’s a genuine sense of community here.

Things to Know: If you're living in northern Irvine, Beckman’s probably on your radar already. It’s outside IUSD, sure, but you'd never know it from the way people talk about it. It’s that solid.

9. Early College High School

Type: Public (Early College)
District: Newport-Mesa Unified School District
Enrollment: ~200
Graduation Rate: 100%
Location: 2990 Mesa Verde Dr W, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Early College is a small school with a very specific vibe. It’s for students who want to skip the slow path and jump straight into college-level learning. This place is focused, quiet, and full of teens who treat high school more like a launchpad than a social scene.

Academic Programs: Starting in 9th grade, students take classes through Orange Coast College just down the street. By the time they graduate, many have a hefty chunk of college credit, or even a full associate degree. It’s a real head start.

Extracurriculars & Student Life: It’s not a big school with Friday night lights or huge rallies. But there are clubs and events for students who want them. The community here is tight, and everyone’s kind of in it together.

Things to Know: This isn’t a school for coasting. It works best for teens who are already pretty self-motivated. If your student wants a straight shot toward college and doesn’t care much for the typical high school fluff, this one’s worth a serious look.

10. Pacific Academy

Type: Private (College-Prep)
District: Independent
Enrollment: ~164
Graduation Rate: 100%
Location: 4947 Alton Pkwy, Irvine, CA 92604

Pacific Academy is tiny, quiet, and super personal. This isn’t a school with big pep rallies or loud hallways. It’s for students who want to focus, stay on track, and not deal with the noise, literally or academically.

Academic Programs: You’ll find APs and college-level courses, but it’s all customized to the student. Teachers work closely with kids, especially those who are gifted, need flexibility, or are coming from different school systems. International students are a big part of the campus too.

Extracurriculars & Student Life: It’s low-key. There are clubs and some student leadership roles, but no one’s pressuring you to join everything. It’s more about helping students feel secure and confident in their lane.

Things to Know: If your teen wants a typical high school experience, this probably isn’t it. But if they’re focused and want peace while they work, it’s a great match.

3 Additional High Schools in Irvine You Can Consider

School	Type	Enrollment	Graduation Rate	Location	Things to Know
C4L Academy	Private (Project-Based)	~1,073	100%	16220 Scientific, Irvine, CA 92618	It’s a creative, hands-on school, great for entrepreneurial or nontraditional learners. Not ideal for students who need structure.
Fusion Academy – Newport Beach (Irvine Campus)	Private (1:1 Learning)	Very small (1-on-1 model)	100%	18881 Von Karman Ave, Irvine, CA 92612	It’s extremely personalized, and good for students with anxiety or unique schedules. Very different from a typical high school experience.
Creekside High School	Public (Continuation)	~82	88%	3387 Barranca Pkwy, Irvine, CA 92606	It’s small and quiet; designed for students needing credit recovery or a calmer setting. Very personalized.

How We Choose the Best High Schools in Irvine

We didn’t just Google a bunch of rankings and call it a day. This list comes from a mix of public data (like graduation rates and college admissions), but also a lot of digging through school websites, and just paying attention to what people say in the community and forums.

We looked at what it’s actually like to go there: how much support students get, what the campus vibe is, if kids feel stressed or supported, that kind of thing. Basically, we tried to put together the list we wish we had when we were choosing a school.

How to Prepare for High School Admissions in Irvine

Getting into your ideal high school in Irvine, whether public, private, or something in between, takes a little planning. And no, it’s not just about test scores.

Here’s how to help your student make a solid first impression:

1. Start Early with Academic Planning

If you’re thinking about one of Irvine’s more competitive high schools, especially the ones with all the APs and honors classes, it helps to come in with your basics solid. Math, English: those are the big ones. If your kid’s wrapping up middle school, now’s the time to make sure they’re feeling confident there. 

Doesn’t mean you need a tutor or anything fancy, just that the foundation’s strong enough so they’re not playing catch-up later. That early prep really does make things easier down the line.

2. Build a Profile That’s More Than Just Grades

Schools here aren’t just scanning GPAs. They’re looking for students who show curiosity, commitment, and character. Clubs, sports, debate team, community service  - iit all counts. Even being the kid who starts a book club or builds an app for fun? That tells a story.

3. Don’t Overlook the Visual Side of Applications

Most schools are going to ask for a photo at some point, whether it’s for the application, the ID card, or whatever else. And yes, it feels like a tiny thing, but let’s be real: that photo follows you around. You don’t want it to look like it was taken in a dark hallway five minutes before the deadline.

That’s why a lot of local parents are using Studio Pod. It’s over in Aliso Viejo, 10 minutes from Irvine, and it’s not some stiff photo shoot. No photographer, no weird studio vibes. You just walk in, it’s a sleek little booth, professional lighting already set up, you take a few shots, pick your favorite, and you’re out. The whole thing takes maybe 15 minutes. Super easy, and the photos actually look good.

4. Visit Info Nights, Ask Questions, Take Notes

A tour or info session can change your mind fast. One school might sound perfect on paper, but the vibe doesn’t match your student’s style. Another might surprise you in the best way. Take the time to check them out, it’s worth it.

5. Stay Organized and Don’t Wing It

Deadlines sneak up, especially for private and alternative schools. Some require essays or teacher recommendations, others want transcripts or additional forms. Get a checklist going early and share it with your student to stay on top of it all.

Bottom Line 

The perfect high school doesn’t exist. There is just the one that feels right for your child (or you). Some students want big campuses and tough AP classes. Others are looking for something smaller, quieter, or just less pressure. Hopefully this gave you a better sense of what high schools in Irvine are really like, beyond the stats.

And, if you’re getting ready for applications, don’t forget the little things, like the photo. A bunch of families around here use Studio Pod in Aliso Viejo. It’s quick, easy, and way better than scrambling for a last-minute phone pic.

Take your time, ask around, and visit a few places.