Palos Verdes High

As a graduate of PVHS (class of 2006), I feel like the state data for this school does not say enough.

PVHS has numerous programs for students where they can get excited about learning and participate in something meaningful. PVHS has a student founded "Palos Verdes Institute of Technology" (PVIT) where students work on robotics projects with parents and mentors working in the field. Among the projects that students have worked on is the DARPA grand challenge, where students competed against Universities and Industries to build an autonomous car that could drive an over-100-mile course through the desert avoiding obstacles along the way. In support of PVIT, the school offers students the opportunities to take engineering and technology classes through their "Project Lead the Way" program. These classes give students further opportunities to participate in exciting and new hands-on research projects.

In addition to fostering phenomenal science research projects, PVHS also requires it's seniors to write a 10 page (minimum) research paper on a topic of their choosing, participate in a mentorship related to this topic, and present their project in front of a board of community members and teachers as a part of the English curriculum. The students are encouraged to explore a topic that has some significant meaning in their life and to use the mentorship aspect of the project as a way to connect their research to a tangible project--from creating their own surf board to interning with a dermatologist. The creativity and enthusiasm that projects like these foster in the students at PVHS is undeniable.

In my experience, PVHS is an excellent high school and gives students the opportunity to explore their interests through exciting classes and projects. I highly recommend this school and thoroughly enjoyed my time there as a student.