Top Rankings
Irvine Unified School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 5%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 5%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 5%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 5%)
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 5%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 8 public high schools serving 11,723 students in Irvine Unified School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 5% of public high schools in California.
Public High Schools in Irvine Unified School District have an average math proficiency score of 66% (versus the California public high school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 77% (versus the 51% statewide average).
The top-ranked public high schools in Irvine Unified School District are Northwood High School, Portola High School and University High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking. Public High School in Irvine Unified School District have a Graduation Rate of 95%, which is more than the California average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Northwood High School, with 98% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in California or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 76% of the student body (majority Asian), which is less than the California public high school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
45 Schools
2,795 Schools
# Students
37,948 Students
2,122,733 Students
# Teachers
1,430 Teachers
101,050 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
27:1
27:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Irvine Unified School District, which is ranked #68 of all 1,904 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 95% has decreased from 96% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#68 out of 1932 school districts
(Top 5%)
(Top 5%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
69%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
75%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
61%
29%
Graduation Rate
95%
87%
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)12.9%
27.7%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.65
0.63
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
53%
12%
% Hispanic
12%
56%
% Black
2%
5%
% White
23%
21%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
10%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $18,837 in this school district is less than the state median of $20,100. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,089 is less than the state median of $18,512. The school district spending/student has declined by 6% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$715 MM
$116,387 MM
Spending
$573 MM
$107,188 MM
Revenue / Student
$18,837
$20,100
Spending / Student
$15,089
$18,512
Best Irvine Unified School District Public High Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Northwood High School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
4515 Portola Pkwy.
Irvine, CA 92620
(949) 936-7200
Irvine, CA 92620
(949) 936-7200
Gr: 9-12 | 2,244 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #22.
Portola High School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1001 Cadence
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 936-8200
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 936-8200
Gr: 9-12 | 2,693 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #33.
University High School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4771 Campus Dr.
Irvine, CA 92612
(949) 936-7600
Irvine, CA 92612
(949) 936-7600
Gr: 9-12 | 2,307 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #44.
Woodbridge High School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2 Meadowbrook
Irvine, CA 92604
(949) 786-1104
Irvine, CA 92604
(949) 786-1104
Gr: 9-12 | 2,232 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #55.
Alternative Education-san Joaquin High School
Alternative School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3387 Barranca Pkwy.
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 936-7440
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 936-7440
Gr: K-12 | 88 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #66.
Irvine High School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4321 Walnut Ave.
Irvine, CA 92604
(949) 936-7000
Irvine, CA 92604
(949) 936-7000
Gr: 9-12 | 1,964 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #77.
Creekside High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3387 Barranca Pkwy.
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 936-7400
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 936-7400
Gr: 9-12 | 78 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: n/an/a
Irvine Adult Transition Programs
Special Education School
311 West Yale Loop
Irvine, CA 92604
(949) 936-7400
Irvine, CA 92604
(949) 936-7400
Gr: 12 | 117 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Recent Articles
Gifted, Honors, and Advanced Tracks: Are They Accessible or Just Advertised?
Learn how to evaluate gifted, honors, and advanced academic programs in public schools, including admission criteria, equity, and the questions every parent should ask.
Algebra Readiness: What Parents Should Ask Before Middle School
Discover how to determine if your child is ready for algebra before middle school, including the questions parents should ask and the skills students need to succeed.
How to Evaluate Reading Instruction in Your Zoned Elementary School
Learn how to evaluate reading instruction in your neighborhood elementary school by recognizing effective literacy practices, asking the right questions, and understanding what quality reading instruction looks like.
