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Excellent

#1479 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 16% in state

Portola High

High School · Irvine Unified

1001 Cadence, Irvine, CA 92618

Enrollment

2,503

Student-Teacher

26.3:1

Score

8.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#1,479 of 9,539

In Irvine

#5 of 47

public schools

In district

#4 of 43

Irvine Unified

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Portola High

8.1/10

High School in Irvine · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Solis Park

6.9/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Cadence Park

6.4/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Portola High

Portola High is a public high school in Irvine, CA, part of Irvine Unified. Portola High serves approximately 2,503 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 26.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Portola High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,479 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Portola High show 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).

What's said publicly about Portola High

Sources: Wikipedia

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026.

Portola High School (PHS) is a public high school located in Irvine, California, and is one of five high schools within the Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) 2 . The school's campus occupies 42 acres of land and has a capacity for approximately 2,600 students 2 . Construction milestones included a groundbreaking ceremony held in October 2014, followed by the school's official opening in August 2016 2 .
Sources (1)
  1. en.wikipedia.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy
How it compares0.9 pts above district
  • This school 8.1 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.2
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Portola High is a large school: 2,503 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.

Portola High runs 26.3:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data5
Annual Change+0.7 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.2Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency68.3% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency81.1% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+40.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+25.2 pts
Overall Proficiency75% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)64% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+10.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
College Readiness8.1Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate95%
AP Participation32.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio26.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,405
Chronic Absenteeism8.7%

Portola High — Students at Portola High score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

18.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 71.1% (multi-year average, 2018-2024)
School
State
31.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 79.7% (multi-year average, 2018-2024)
School
State
51.5% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2018
Math
69%
ELA
73%
2019
Math
69%
ELA
73%
2020*
Math
76%
ELA
85%
2021*
Math
76%
ELA
85%
2024
Math
68.4%
ELA
81.1%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.7/10.

How Portola High Compares

See how Portola High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
85th percentile in CA
Academic
9.2/10
Excellent
Growth
9.7/10
Excellent
Environment
4.5/10
Below Average
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.6
Sports
15
9 boys' · 6 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
18%
Teaching Staff
26:1 student-teacher ratio
95 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
8.7%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
32.4% participation·State avg: 2.6 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics15sports offered
9 boys'·6 girls'·52 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1001 Cadence, Irvine, CA 92618

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Portola High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. NEW HORIZON SCHOOL IRVINE (rated 8.3/10, 2.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Beacon Park (rated 7.8/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Portola Springs Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Irvine, see our Irvine schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Solis Park Irvine 0.3 mi 6.9
Cadence Park Irvine 0.8 mi 6.4
Portola Springs Elementary Irvine 1.5 mi 7.6
Loma Ridge Elementary Irvine 1.8 mi 5.8
Beacon Park Irvine 1.7 mi 7.8
Tumble 'N Grow Irvine 1.9 mi
NEW HORIZON SCHOOL IRVINE Irvine 2.1 mi 8.3
New Horizon School Irvine Upper Campus Irvine 2.1 mi
LEPORT SCHOOLS - IRVINE SPECTRUM NORTH CAMPUS Irvine 2.1 mi 5.8
LEPORT SCHOOLS Irvine 2.1 mi
Excel Academy Charter Irvine 2.1 mi 7.0
Excel Academy Charter Irvine 2.1 mi 6.7
LePort Montessori Irvine Spectrum Irvine 2.1 mi
Rancho Canada Elementary Lake Forest 2.2 mi 6.7
Crean Lutheran High School Irvine 2.3 mi
CREAN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Irvine 2.3 mi 5.7
FULBRIGHT MONTESSORI ACADEMY Lake Forest 2.1 mi
Fulbright Montessori Academy Lake Forest 2.1 mi
LAKE FOREST MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lake Forest 2.3 mi
Serrano Intermediate Lake Forest 2.6 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92618 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$135,609

Median Home Value

$1,153,400

Median Rent

$3,053/mo

Population

62,296

College Educated

72.5%

Homeownership

39.5%

Avg Commute

25.9 min

Poverty Rate

8.4%

Median Age

34.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Alhambra High Alhambra, CA 8.1
Ann Sobrato High Morgan Hill, CA 8.1
Arroyo High El Monte, CA 8.1
Bonita High San Dimas, CA 8.1
Buchanan High Clovis, CA 8.1
Clovis West High Fresno, CA 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Portola High

What grades does Portola High serve?

Portola High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Portola High?

Portola High has an enrollment of approximately 2,503 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Portola High?

The student-teacher ratio at Portola High is 26.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Portola High rank in CA?

Portola High ranks #1,479 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Portola High's MySchoolScout rating?

Portola High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Portola High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Portola High has 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).

Is Portola High a charter school?

No, Portola High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Portola High a Title I school?

No, Portola High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Portola High?

18.1% of students at Portola High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
2 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
10 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
51 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,503
Student-Teacher Ratio
26.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
95
Free/Reduced Lunch
18.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Orange County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
8.7%
4-Year Graduation
95.0%

District

Irvine Unified
District Enrollment
37,731
Schools in District
45
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,405
District Rank
#4 of 43

How we rate schools

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