Hello PV Alums,
It seems like just yesterday that Palos Verdes High School was reopening after being closed for 11 years. We reopened PV in September 2002 with 475 students in grades 9 and 10. The school has since grown into a full high school of 1850 students. The school colors and mascot remain the same. Our graduates are going off to great colleges and universities across the nation, just like in the old days. We are trying to reconnect with PV alums and hope you will register to receive periodic updates. You can stay current by checking the website at pvhigh.com. Here is an update on your old school.
We have over 70 teachers who have come to us from near and far. Once again the faculty is the key to our school. We run what is known as a block schedule with three classes a day and this alternates every day with the six periods which most students have. Our classes are 113 minutes long. This is different that the traditional bell schedule with six classes of approximately 55 minutes. Middle school students in our district can choose between attending Palos Verdes High School or Peninsula High School. Peninsula sits on the Rolling Hills High School site and PV and Peninsula have a rivalry similar to the PV-RH rivalry in the past. We feel our block schedule gives students a choice when they make their decision. The block has been popular with staff, students and parents and it is great preparation for the flexible scheduling you see in college. The college acceptances and the testimonials from our graduates validate the fact that our students are well prepared for college and beyond.
In the extra curricular area PV once again has something to offer for everyone. Just like the old days we have a great activities program and Jim Kinney is still living locally whenever we need his guidance. The drama program has reached a very high level in a short period of time. In the music department our jazz band and orchestra were strong early but the marching band took some time. We are finishing our 3d year with a marching band and have about 60 students involved. Next year we anticipate up to 80 in the marching band and this growth has been exciting to watch. The dance program is strong and they will once again hold their spring show at the Torrance Civic Center Facility. We have been very successful with video production. Check out the “Live from 205” link on our website and you can view one of the top weekly high school news programs in the nation for the last three years. In athletics we are strong once again and compete in the Bay League with the Peninsula, Mira Costa, Redondo, West and Leuzinger. We offer all sports except wrestling and since the old days we have added lacrosse for boys and girls, equestrian, roller hockey, crew and sailing. Some of these are club sports. This year we have already won CIF in boys and girls water polo. Boys cross country not only won CIF but they are also State Champions. We have also won several league titles.
In the area of facilities your old campus looks much the same. We still have Senior Park and this once again is a great location for our graduation ceremonies. There is a new wing of 10 classrooms in what used to be open space behind the library. Most of the old portables are still there and there are some newer ones as well. Two new science classrooms are under construction in the area just west of portable 1. The MPR remains functional for drama but we now have risers for the seating.The stage and sets tend to extend into the floor space and seating is usually in the round. We just completed a project to put in a synthetic stadium field and all weather track and it turned out beautifully. New bleachers will go in this spring and we will finally have a very nice press box on the home side. We also recently put in a new deep water pool after a 5 year project to raise the funds. It is about 33 meters and sits in the same footprint as the two old pools. What a beautiful facility and we now have deep water for water polo. The weight room is state of the art for high school and is located where the old drafting and electronics rooms were, across from the old wood and metal shops. What used to be a cooking room is now a beautiful College/Career Center right in the corner of Senior Park. In addition private donations have allowed us to put in two beautiful sand volleyball courts in the blacktop area near the gym.
Palos Verdes High School is definitely back. We have a very supportive PTSA and Booster Club and school spirit is outstanding. We have many PVHS alums who now have children in the school. It has been very exciting to put the Sea Kings back on the map. Come by for a visit if you are in the area. Go Sea Kings.
Chris Bowles, Principal
Palos Verdes High School |
