High School Profile 2019-2020 27118 Silver Spur Road, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274 (310) 377-4888 Fax (310) 265-1108 www.pvphs.com CEEB Code 052683

SCHOOL DISTRICT AND COMMUNITY The Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District serves the communities of Palos Verdes ADMINISTRATION Estates, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, and Rolling Hills Estates.

Principal The area is 21 miles southwest of metropolitan and draws predominantly middle to Brent Kuykendall x200 high-income business and professional residents. The District’s reputation for having a superior [email protected] educational system attracts many families to this suburban area and its schools. Two early child- hood centers, ten elementary schools, three intermediate schools, one continuation high school, Associate Principal and two comprehensive high schools accommodate approximately 11,400 students in the District. Katie Clovis x672 [email protected] THE SCHOOL Associate Principal Palos Verdes Peninsula High School (PVPHS) is a 4-year comprehensive public high school, Jennifer Panagos x273 nationally recognized for academic excellence. PVPHS is fully accredited by the Western Association [email protected] of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and has regularly received six-year accreditations. Associate Principal The school follows a traditional semester schedule, with seven 53 minute periods in the school day. Michael Wanmer x691 Freshmen and sophomores are required to take 6 classes each semester, juniors 5 classes and [email protected] seniors 4 classes. The District allows students to take as many classes as they wish above the

minimum. For the class of 2019, 99.83% of the students graduated, 88% COUNSELORS completed more than the minimum requirements, and 83% met the A-G Kelly Baranick x289 requirements thus qualifying for admission to University of campuses. [email protected]

Goldie Chan x274 RANKINGS AND RECOGNITIONS [email protected] PVPHS is routinely recognized as an exemplary high school at local, state, and national levels. In 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016 and 2019 a PVPHS student re- Patricia Colin x281 [email protected] ceived the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program Award, the highest honor for graduating high school seniors in the nation. Graham Edwards x275 Other recent acknowledgements include: [email protected] #7 in California and #87 in the nation in the Niche Best Public

High Schools Mary Fournier x272 [email protected] #44 in California and #331 in the nation and the #235 STEM school in the nation by US News & World Report Elizabeth Rieken x271 California Department of Education Gold Ribbon School [email protected] California School Boards Association’s Golden Bell Award

Adam Wolven x277 California Department of Education’s Civic Engagement Award [email protected] CERTIFICATED STAFF

4 administrators, 98 teachers, COLLEGE & CAREER 7 counselors, 1 athletic director, CENTER 1 activities director, 2 psychologists,

College Career Center Adviser 2 student support specialists, Julie Arico x267 1 librarian, and 1 nurse [email protected]

Financial Aid Specialist Nancy Shafer x287 [email protected] Our Mission Statement

REGISTRAR To inspire and educate all students as Deirdre Heimer x280 [email protected] they pursue their full potential within a vibrant, compassionate, and diverse learning community.

As of September 2019 Total Enrollment = 2308 HONORS AND ADVANCED PLACEMENT CLASSES CLASS RANK AND GRADE POINT AVERAGE Honors and AP classes are open to all students

These courses receive a weighted grade on the transcript Per District policy, students are not ranked in recognition of the advanced nature of the coursework Credit courses taken in grades 9-12, including classes taken during the summer through community college and off-campus and online English English 1 Honors, English 2 Honors, schools are included in determining the cumulative GPA English 3 Honors, AP English Language, The GPA is calculated in three ways AP English Literature, AP Seminar, AP Research CUMULATIVE GPA for all classes (with PE/Athletics) Grades 9-12 ACADEMIC GPA (no PE/Athletics) Grades 9-12 Mathematics Algebra 1 Honors, Geometry Honors, ACADEMIC GPA (no PE/Athletics) Grades 10-12 Algebra 2 Honors, Pre-Calculus Honors, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, Transcripts list both the WEIGHTED and UNWEIGHTED GPA Advanced Calculus, AP Statistical Analysis, WEIGHTED GPA is determined by calculating the un-weighted AP Computer Science A, GPA and adding 0.2 points for each weighted course AP Computer Science Principles, Advanced Computer Science In each semester, the maximum number of weighted points

Science Biology 1 Honors, AP Biology, available is 1.0 (5 courses), for a highest possible GPA of 5.0 Chemistry 1 Honors, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, Marine Biology Honors, Physiology/Anatomy Honors, DESIGNATIONS FOUND ON THE TRANSCRIPT AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, AP Physics C Grades A, B, C, D, P (Pass), CR (Credit) - passing marks Social Studies World History Honors, AP World History, F - Failure AP European History, AP US History, NC - No Credit AP US Government, AU - Audit AP Psychology, AP Microeconomics W - Withdrawal I - Incomplete Visual & Advanced Orchestra, Drama 1 Advanced, NM - No Mark Performing Arts Drama 3 Advanced, Drama 4 Advanced, Jazz Band 2, AP Music Theory, Other Designations AP Art History, A - First semester of a yearlong course AP Studio Art 2D, AP Studio Art 3D, B - Second semester of a yearlong course AP Studio Art Drawing H - Honors AP - Advanced Placement World Language Chinese 3 Honors, AP Chinese Language, MCR - Meets College Requirements French 3 Honors, AP French Language, ELD - English Language Development Japanese 3 Honors, AP Japanese Language, r - Repeated course Korean 3 Honors, Korean 4 Honors, * - Non-Academic Latin 3 Honors, AP Latin Vergil, + - Weighted grade Spanish 3 Honors, AP Spanish Language, AP Spanish Literature

TOTAL AP COURSES OFFERED: 32 TOTAL HONORS COURSES OFFERED: 27 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS CLASS of 2019 Unit requirements: 220 credits for graduation 5 credits earned for each semester course

INTERNSHIPS AND WORK EXPERIENCE English 8 Semesters 40 Credits The work experience program allows students to gain practical World History 2 Semesters 10 Credits experience in a variety of jobs in industry, business, or the US History 2 Semesters 10 Credits professions. Students receive a grade and school credit for Government 1 Semester 5 Credits work and related instructional assignments. Economics 1 Semester 5 Credits Upperclassmen may interview for summer internships with local Mathematics 4 Semesters 20 Credits industry partners. Weekly instructional assignments and student Biological Science 2 Semesters 10 Credits journals and portfolios complement the students’ career exploration. Physical Science 2 Semesters 10 Credits Up to 40 credits (5 credits per semester) may be applied toward Physical Education 4 Semesters 20 Credits the total graduation credit requirement through successful CTE/VPA/World Language 4 Semesters 20 Credits completion of these programs. Electives 14 Semesters 70 Credits College Matriculation

TESTING PROFILE WORLD LANGUAGE 2019 SAT 2018 ACT ENROLLMENT MEAN #TESTS Test Results Test Results PVPHS State Nat’l 266 tested Language Levels Offered Evidence-Based 644 420 Reading and Writing Composite 27.8 22.7 20.8 Spanish Mathematics 672 420 English 28.1 22.5 20.2 1, 2, 2 MCR, 3 MCR, 3, 3H, 4, 5, AP Language, AP Literature TOTAL SCORE 1316 420 Mathematics 28.0 22.5 20.5 Chinese, French, Japanese Reading 27.6 23.0 21.3 1, 2, 3, 3H, 4, 2019 SAT MEAN #TESTS Science 26.9 22.1 20.7 AP Language Latin Math Level 2 750 220 1, 2, 3, 3H, AP Latin

ADVANCED PLACEMENT 2019 Korean Literature 648 32 1,101 students took a total of 1, 2, 3, 3H, 4, 4H US History 653 65 2376 exams in 33 different subjects

Chemistry 689 107 85% of scores were 3 or higher; these Physics 722 45 scores may qualify for college credit Biology E 673 30 AP Score # EXAMS % OF TOTAL Biology M 679 19 5 725 31% NATIONAL MERIT 4 717 30% SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Class of 2020 3 578 24% 19 National Merit Semifinalists 2 273 11% 45 National Merit Commended Scholars 1 83 3% WORLD LANGUAGE

2019 CAASPP RESULTS AP SCHOLARS ROSTER 2019 IN THE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL California Assessment of Student Percent that met or exceeded AP Scholars: 143 Palos Verdes Unified School District AP Scholars w/ Honors: 73 intermediate school students have the PVPHS State AP Scholars w/ Distinction: 231 opportunity to enroll in PVPHS world language courses through the second ELA 62.70 55.96 National AP Scholars: 68 level. This course work does NOT MATH 76.00 31.37 AP Capstone Diplomas: 2 appear on the high school transcript. Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Research, School Publications Technology (SMERT) The school yearbook, La Pantera, is renowned The SMERT program introduces students to scientific throughout the country as a recipient of multiple ATHLETICS principles, mathematical concepts, engineering fields, state and national awards. research, and technological skills. Our technology Recognized as an athletic power- classroom building houses industry-leading 3D design The school newspaper, The Pen has been house since the school’s software, state-of-the-art computer labs, 3D printers, honored with the NSPA First Class rank as well as in 1991, PVPHS teams have won 231 and CNC machines. Through our partnership with the NSPA’s Best of Show award. league championships, 42 CIF Project Lead the Way we are able to offer college Titles, 10 State Titles, and 4 National The PVPHS literary magazine, Beard Full of level curriculum. Classes include AP Computer Sci- Titles. PVPHS has been awarded Butterflies, provides students the opportunity to ence (Java), AP Computer Science Principles, Intro to the CIF Southern Section Sports- submit original writings, photos, and art work for Engineering Design, Digital Electronics, Principles of manship Award several times publication. Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineer- recognizing the character of our ing and Architecture, Engineering Design and Devel- Eye of the Panther (EOP) student athletes. opment research, and Web design. Our new VEX The EOP program is a weekly newscast that is program allows students to design and build their own written, edited, directed, and filmed entirely by Baseball robots. Peninsula SMERT students compete regional- PVPHS students. Basketball (B & G) ly and nationally on our Science Fair, FRC Robotics, Cheer Squad Cyber Patriot, TSA TEAMS, Science Olympiad, Sci- Arts Education Choreo Dance ence Bowl, Ocean Bowl, Math and Physics Teams, PVPHS has a long history of excellence and Cross Country (B & G) and Solar Engineering teams. Furthermore, our stu- innovation in the Visual Arts. Our on-campus Football dents intern during summer with local industry. Bradbury Smith Art Gallery, which hosts student Golf (B & G) art shows throughout the year, reflects our ongoing Lacrosse (B & G) Science Research commitment to the visual arts in our learning Our nationally and internationally recognized program PEP Flags community. Students have the opportunity to allows students to work with experts in a wide variety Soccer (B & G) pursue personal interests in: of science disciplines. PVPHS students have been Softball Song Squad highly successful in local, state, national, and Ceramics, Sculpture, Glassblowing, Drawing and international competitions. Painting, Photography, Video Production, Digital Surf Animation, Graphic Design, Jazz and Concert Swimming (B & G) Band, Orchestra, Marching Band, Chamber Tennis (B & G) Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Choir, Jazz Choir, Women’s Choir, Drama, Track and Field (B & G) PVPHS has 166 students enrolled in the AVID Musical Theater, and Choreography Varsity Dance program. The mission of AVID is to ensure that all and Dance. Volleyball (B & G) students succeed in a rigorous college preparation program. PVPHS provides AVID students intensive Water Polo (B & G) support with tutorials and strong student/teacher Wrestling relationships. STUDENT LEADERSHIP More than 300 PVPHS students participate in SCHOLAR-ATHLETES

our five award winning leadership programs. Mock Trial Students prepare for and argue legal cases in front of The Class of 2019 had 80 Associated Student Body (ASB) a panel of judges and attorneys in local and regional scholar-athletes; students who competitions. The Constitutional Rights Foundation The ASB Leadership class organizes maintained a 3.7 unweighted student activities at PVPHS. sponsors the Mock Trial Program at PVPHS. GPA throughout high school The 37 elected and appointed ASB officers Model United Nations (MUN) while participating in a varsity implement activities on campus with the MUN is a highly acclaimed academic program that sport for at least one season. stresses the skills of debate, research, collaboration, ultimate purpose of creating a welcoming, and cooperation through representing a variety of inclusive, and spirited school environment. countries in competition. Link Crew Speech and Debate Link Crew is a high school transition program Speech and Debate focuses on developing student NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETIES that warmly welcomes all freshmen and skills in public speaking and argumentation in a competitive format. transfer students to PVPHS. The program is designed to help new students throughout National Art Honor Society Teen Court their first year at our school. National Chinese Honor Society PVPHS has an on-campus courtroom. Supervising judges from the Superior Court of L.A. County work National Honor Society for Dance Arts Peer Leaders Uniting Students (PLUS) closely with students enrolled in Teen Court. Students National English Honor Society are exposed to the realities of the legal PLUS is a peer-to-peer student leadership National French Honor Society system as members of the jury. program that empowers students to identify and address issues that National Honor Society promote positive youth development International Thespian Society Advanced Projects and the conditions for student learning. Japanese National Honor Society

This program allows students to augment the curricu- lar experience through completion of a comprehensive Service Learning Leadership National Junior Class League (Latin) project at an accelerated pace. The Service Learning Leaders serve our school Korean National Honor Society and extended communities. After examining Mu Alpha Theta National Mathematics local and global issues, these students Honor Society Student Clubs actively volunteer with and contribute to Quill and Scroll National Honor Society There are more than 100 student organized clubs many causes, while raising awareness National Science Honor Society active on campus. Each fall students can apply to of social justice issues on our campus. charter a club in the areas of academics, politics, National Social Studies Honor Society culture, religion, athletics, philanthropy, and special Principal’s Advisory Council (PAC) interests. Currently, chartered student clubs include : Spanish Honor Society The PAC meets regularly with the principal to Best Buddies, The Bowling Pens, Rock Band Club, Tri-M Music Honor Society Girl Up, LGBT United, Mobile App Development, discuss ways to improve our campus. Key Club, Hug a Shrub, and many more!