The Palos Verdes Unified School District consists of ten elementary schools, three middle schools, and two high schools.

These two high schools, in an obvious stroke of genius, were cleverly titled Palos Verdes High School and Palos Verdes Peninsula High School.

As to be expected, the names have caused confusion for people both on and off the hill.

My friends from other schools, such as Redondo Union or Mira Costa, don’t know the difference between the two schools, even going so far as to think they are the same place.

With that being said, I can’t help but feel offended that our unique schools are in-differentiable from each other.

Whenever I get the chance, I like to explain to my friends the many differences between the two schools.  

Although there has always been a healthy competition between the two Palos Verdes high schools, there is much to appreciate on both campuses.

Peninsula High School’s architecture is much more modern than PV High’s, as it was constructed during Southern California’s explosive postwar population boom.

PV High’s architecture is much more Spanish-inspired, which matches much of the houses residing in Palos Verdes Estates.

A more well-known difference is the bell schedule.

Peninsula’s students have a minimum of six to seven classes every day for 50 minutes each.

At PVHS, we have a blocked schedule of two to four classes a day for 100 minutes. 

The days are split into A and B days.

Despite the differences between the two schools, each campus holds beautiful opportunities and classes for PVPUSD students to learn from.

Additionally, with Palos Verdes being located on the ocean and Peninsulas being located next to the PV Plaza, there is an ample amount of places to hang out with friends.