Palos Verdes High School
- Public
- Palos Verdes Estates, CA
Public School
Palos Verdes High School
- grade A+Overall Grade
- Public
- 9-12
- Palos Verdes Estates, CA
- Rating 3.95 out of 5 389 reviews
Report Card
- Academicsgrade A+
- Diversitygrade B+
- Teachersgrade A+
- College Prepgrade A+
- Clubs & Activitiesgrade B
- Health & Safetygrade A
- Administrationgrade B+
- Sportsgrade A+
- Foodgrade B
- Resources & Facilitiesgrade C+
editorial
About
Palos Verdes High School Rankings
Niche ranks nearly 100,000 schools and districts based on statistics and millions of opinions from students and parents.
Academics
Percent Proficient - Reading
43%
Percent Proficient - Math
39%
Average Graduation Rate
98%
Average SAT
1280
432 responses
Average ACT
29
325 responses
AP Enrollment
50%
Popular Colleges
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Map
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- Cost of Livinggrade C minus
- Good for Familiesgrade A+
- Housinggrade B minus
Median Household Income
$194,543
National
$62,843Median Rent
$2,683
National
$1,062Median Home Value
$2,000,000
National
$217,500Culture & Safety
Health & Safety
grade A
Based on chronic student absenteeism, suspensions/expulsions, and survey responses on the school environment from students and parents.
Poll
- 91%
- of students agree that they feel safe at their school. 43 responses
Poll
- 58%
- of students agree that they like their school and feel happy there. 43 responses
Students
Diversity
grade B+
Based on racial and economic diversity and survey responses on school culture and diversity from students and parents.
Students
1,682
Free or Reduced Lunch
5%
- 84%
- of students and parents agree that students at this school are competitive. 51 responses
- 67%
- of students and parents agree that students at this school are creative and artsy. 51 responses
- 90%
- of students and parents agree that students at this school are athletic. 51 responses
Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
25:1
National
17:1Average Teacher Salary
$95,806
Teachers in First/Second Year
2.8%
- 69%
- of students and parents agree that the teachers give engaging lessons. 65 responses
- 74%
- of students and parents agree that the teachers genuinely care about the students. 65 responses
- 63%
- of students and parents agree that the teachers adequately lead and control the classroom. 65 responses
Clubs & Activities
Clubs & Activities
grade B
Based on student and parent reviews of clubs and activities.
Girls Athletic Participation
High
Boys Athletic Participation
Very High
Expenses Per Student
$11,900 / year
National
$12,239- 69%
- of students and parents agree that there are plenty of clubs and organizations for students to get involved in. 64 responses
- 56%
- of students and parents agree that clubs and organizations get the funding they need. 64 responses
- 67%
- of students and parents agree that lots of students participate in clubs and organizations. 64 responses
Similar Schools
Schools like Palos Verdes High School
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Palos Verdes High School Reviews
Rating 3.95 out of 5 389 reviews
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To begin, our STEM programs are top of the line, with teachers and faculty with incredible credentials, graduating with Master's and Doctorates from some of the best universities in the world. Most sports programs in our school are highly ranked in the state, if not country, such as cross country, lacrosse, (the football team is decent too,) volleyball, and soccer.
Now with the bad: Many teachers fail to properly provide adequate information about the subject in question. They may also cater to specific students, who tend to do better in the class, leading to the need to pursue extra help or tutoring. It is a high stress environment, with one of the most competitive school populations in America, leaving little time for the pursuit of self interests. The school also fails to prepare the average student for college and life, leaving many of us in a frenzy, trying to figure it out ourselves. Overall, I've had a nice experience in the school, most of it coming from friends and sports.
Now with the bad: Many teachers fail to properly provide adequate information about the subject in question. They may also cater to specific students, who tend to do better in the class, leading to the need to pursue extra help or tutoring. It is a high stress environment, with one of the most competitive school populations in America, leaving little time for the pursuit of self interests. The school also fails to prepare the average student for college and life, leaving many of us in a frenzy, trying to figure it out ourselves. Overall, I've had a nice experience in the school, most of it coming from friends and sports.
People who have heard of Palos Verdes High School are often aware of its reputation for having a clique-y and spoiled student population. As a middle class student entering the 9th grade, I too felt apprehensive about the environment. However, I was pleasantly surprised throughout my four years here. There is a niche for everyone and the opportunities are endless for students considering a variety of career fields, such as the arts, STEM, and finance. The unique block schedule was my personal deciding factor to attend and I must say it has prepared me for standardized testing and college very well. It teaches time management in and out of the classroom which is a crucial skill for anyone hoping to succeed in higher education. My only main complaint about the school is that the bus system is spotty and I have often found myself waiting for a bus a half hour after it was supposed to arrive.
This school is not a fair place. Those who are "in," be it through wealth, appearance, parental interference, or just luck, have a great experience. Those who are not rich, not white, not athletic, or not good-looking are squarely left out and miserable. This applies everywhere - the classroom, sports teams, extracurriculars, and in social life outside of school. I spent my four years at PV fighting to get "in." It's hard to say if I ever really achieved it. Through money and luck, I did well, on paper. I now go to one of the top ten colleges in the United States. I would not, however, ever want to send my younger siblings to PV; I do not want them fighting to be "in" like I had to. Palos Verdes Peninsula High School seems to be a much more diverse and inclusive campus, although I do believe it is significantly more challenging.