Palos Verdes High

Palos Verdes High School serves 1,419 students in grades 9 through 12 in Palos Verdes Estates, California. It earns a composite score of 9.1 out of 10 — an Exceptional rating — with academic performance at 8.3 and a perfect 10.0 growth score, meaning students here consistently gain more ground than their peers statewide. The numbers place this school in rare company.

Palos Verdes High ranks 28th among 1,892 California high schools, putting it in the top 2% statewide. It outperforms 97% of all California public schools, a standing that reflects sustained achievement rather than a single strong year. The perfect growth score is particularly telling: schools can score well on academics by serving an already-advantaged population, but growth measures whether students are actually learning more than expected — and this school delivers on both.

The student-teacher ratio stands at 21.8 students per teacher, typical for a large California public high school of this enrollment size. As the top-ranked of four schools in Palos Verdes Estates, Palos Verdes High draws families who prioritize rigorous academics with measurable outcomes. For parents evaluating high schools along the South Bay coast, this school's combination of top-tier rank and exceptional growth trajectory makes it one of the strongest public options in the state.

The student-teacher ratio at Palos Verdes High is 21.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.