Ever since welcoming 454 freshmen this year, the classrooms, halls and bleachers of PVHS have been more crowded than ever.
PVHS’s enrollment has been on the rise since 2024. Traditionally, school size has been around 1400, but in recent years, it has shot up to 1600.
“With PVHS’s small upperclassmen classes graduating and a new wave of freshmen and sophomores enrolling, its enrollment rates continue to skyrocket,” School Registrar Karen Mills said.
For many freshmen, the decision to come to PVHS was an easy one.
“We heard that PVHS was more fun. Everyone feels closer together and they’re involved with each other,” freshman class president Owen Lacaillade-Post said.
“This school offers an amazing combination of rigorous academics, amazing signature programs, and obviously, dominant athletic programs,” Associate Principal DJ Hill said.
“What we always hear though, from families, is the PV High family vibe. The kindness that’s shown from the staff members and the people really creates a home-like environment for our students.”
To accommodate the influx of students, PVHS hired more teachers to maintain the district’s 34:1 student to-teacher-ratio.
“Almost every seat is taken, which creates a very vibrant community. Sometimes it’s a little hard to reach every student one-to-one every single day, but I really do enjoy the opportunity to get to know so many kids on our campus,” English and Journalism teacher Cynthia Mindicino said.
Students and staff have already noticed a change in campus atmosphere.
“Lunch used to be dead on campus because so many people would not have a third or a sixth or they would just go home. Now, we have people sitting on the grass and it’s just so fun to see our campus come more alive,” Mindicino said.
At lunchtime, Sea King Park is dotted with picnic blankets and bustling with lively conversations.
“It’s the nicest thing, just sitting, bringing blankets, and chatting with your friend. When I entered school, nobody did that. I feel like [the freshmen] are…really seeing the positives of the campus,” senior Hillary Nguyen said.
A large class size comes with built-in school spirit.
“It’s brought a new energy to ASB and to me and the other teachers,” ASB director Jama Maxfield said.
Their enthusiastic presence has even influenced the other classes.
“The freshman class has really made the sophomores, juniors, and seniors feel like they need to bring the spirit. It makes us want to be better role models, so the freshmen know ‘Oh, we should be spirited like them,’” Nguyen said.
While freshmen adjust to the hurdles of high school, their teachers also navigate new challenges.
“Grading is the hardest part of being a teacher, at least from the English subject perspective,” Mindicino said. “We have so many essays to grade and so much writing that we want to give feedback on. I’ll be honest, sometimes I do feel burned out…and I’m still learning to manage that.”
Nearly all of Mindicino’s freshman classes are packed with 33-35 students. She suggested one solution to teacher burnout is limiting class size.
“Then you have more one-on-one time with each student …[Freshmen]…need a lot more support in such a vulnerable, formative year as they’re transitioning into high school.”
Organizing schoolwide events for 1600 students also comes with its logistical challenges.
According to Maxfield, ASB had to “split [Class Comp] up differently…to make sure the entire freshman class could fit with the seniors on one side of the gym.”
For Homecoming, ticket sales were carefully monitored up until the day of.
“If we had hit our target of 600 prior to the dance, we would have added another photo booth and at least one more [activity] to make the lines smaller,” Maxfield said.
Extracurriculars and athletics are already feeling the impact.
“I think club sizes will grow, and it will possibly affect… sports and extracurricular activities like drama and 205 in terms of more people trying out for the same number of spots,” Maxfield said.
However, a larger pool of students also allows for expanded opportunities.
“We can definitely have a freshman football team and we added a frosh cheer team last year,” Maxfield added.
From soaring school enrollment to newfound excitement and energy, the Class of 2029 has already left its mark.
“The teachers are very proud right now. There’s a really positive vibe on campus because more students picking [to go] here means that we’re doing something right,” Hill said.
The school anticipates even more growth in the coming years.
“Our school is an incredible place to thrive and to find out who you are. I’m just very excited that this new class is creating opportunities for themselves and for others,” Mindicino said.
As Mills put it, “What we’re doing here at PV is pretty exciting. I think word is out that this is the place to be.”