Astounding Excellence: 89% Pass Rate on AP Exams

September 2nd, 2025

Pacifica Christian High School students thrive as learners and leaders because they are consistently challenged to reach beyond what they thought possible. The heart of a Pacifica education is forged in the classroom, where rigorous coursework, dedicated teachers, and supportive relationships stretch students toward excellence.

One of the clearest markers of this culture of learning is Pacifica’s success in the Advanced Placement (AP) program. In the 2024–2025 school year, Pacifica students took 310 AP exams across 14 subjects. The results were outstanding: 89% of exams earned passing scores (a grade of 3 or higher), far surpassing both state and national averages. This level of achievement reflects not only the strength of the program but also the dedication of both students and faculty.

By the Numbers: 2024–2025 AP Results

Across multiple disciplines, Pacifica students posted remarkable results:

Biology: 94.12%
Calculus AB: 60.87%
Calculus BC: 85.71%
Chemistry: 66.67%
Computer Science Principles: 94.74%
English Language and Composition: 93.10%
English Literature and Composition: 97.06%
European History: 96.43%
French Language and Culture: 100%
Human Geography: 100%
Macroeconomics: 94.44%
Microeconomics: 100%
Physics 1: 83.33%
Psychology: 88.24%
Spanish Language and Culture: 100%
Statistics: 71.43%
United States History: 93.55%

These scores don’t define our school or our students. There is much more to our community than data. However, it does tell a powerful story of hard work, discipline, and excellence.: Pacifica students not only take AP exams in significant numbers, but they also excel across a wide range of subjects, from STEM fields to world languages, from the humanities to the social sciences.

A Culture of Rigor and Relationship

At Pacifica, students are encouraged to pursue the most rigorous academic path that suits them best. Honors courses invite advanced discussion and critical thinking, while AP courses culminate in national exams that demonstrate readiness for college-level work. Strong AP results can earn students college credit, but even more importantly, they signal to universities that Pacifica students are prepared to excel in demanding academic environments.

“By far my most challenging class has been AP Euro, not just because the class itself was challenging but that our teachers challenged us in the class. Mr. Comer, our teacher, told us that we did over four times the amount of writing assignments than most AP Euro students do, which was very hard but at the same time left us very prepared for the AP test and allowed us to obtain even more knowledge.” - Beck Ervin '27

What makes Pacifica unique is not simply the availability of advanced coursework, but the way it is taught. Rooted in the Great Conversation of Western civilization, courses invite students to wrestle with both secular and theological questions, sharpening their minds and deepening their faith. Inquiry, rhetoric, and higher-level thinking are at the core, ensuring that students not only master material but also learn to love wisdom, truth, beauty, and goodness.

The Bigger Picture - Strong Guidance and Transcript Rigor

In a college placement landscape like the UCs that have removed the SAT as a metric for consideration, transcript rigor has risen as a higher criterion. Presenting a strong program on the transcript is a difference maker. The Pacifica counseling staff works closely with each student and family to align their course selection and future goals with their ability. This careful consultation is vital to navigating the college journey with wisdom and confidence.

Recent college matriculation includes Stanford, Princeton, Columbia, Harvard, Notre Dame, Michigan, UCLA, Cal, USC, and more. Students are finding their best fit and the top of our class is finding success at the top 25 schools.

“There is no one size fits all approach– every student is unique and created in God’s image, and they all have a different plan that they’re going to follow. We believe that finding the right fit is more than just prestige and ranking, but finding a school that our students can thrive at academically, spiritually, and personally.

With 310 exams taken and an 89% pass rate, Pacifica’s AP program continues to set the bar high. These results place Pacifica students well above national averages and demonstrate the school’s commitment to combining rigor with relationship. In classrooms marked by curiosity, faith, and joy, students are being prepared not only for college but for life.

Posted in the category Pacifica Life.