Department Lead: Lea Toombs
Room: P8
Phone: 310-378-8471 Ext. 284
Email: toombsl@pvpusd.k12.ca.us
Ms. Toombs has taught English at Palos Verdes High School since 2004. She teaches English 2 and English 2 Honors, however she has also taught English 1, English 4, and English 4 AP. Her professional experiences include English Department Lead, WASC Organization Focus Lead, as well as being an active member of School Site Council and the Diversity Committee. She is also the club advisor for National English Honors Society and Cupcakes for a Cause. Ms. Toombs has a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Studio Arts and a Master of Arts in Secondary Education from Loyola Marymount University (LMU). Currently, she is attending LMU and earning an Administrative Credential. Ms. Toombs is delighted to be a part of the Palos Verdes High School faculty and looks forward to welcoming prospective students. Go Sea Kings!
- Writing Program
This methodology allows English teachers and all students at PVHS to have a common language when discussing and writing essays.
- Senior Project
Senior Project is an English 4 requirement that allows students the opportunity to demonstrate the essentials of research and critical thinking. Students will select a topic of study and complete fieldwork, a research paper, and a presentation. The presentation celebrates the project before a review board of teachers, parents, and community members.
- Honors and Advanced Placement Courses
PVHS offers English 1-3 Honors and English 3 Language AP and English 4 Literature AP.
- National English Honors Society
The National English Honors Society (NEHS) is a national organization exclusively for high school students and faculty who, in the field of English, exhibit high standards of academic excellence.
Department Lead: Cynthia Mitchell
Room: 305
Phone: 310-378-8471 Ext. 605
Email: mitchellc@pvpusd.k12.ca.us
Cynthia Mitchell has been leading PVHS’s mathematics department since the high school was resurrected in 2002. She has been instrumental in growing and mentoring the mathematics faculty and molding them into one of the premier mathematics staffs in all of California. Prior to her time at PVHS, Ms. Mitchell taught Geometry and Calculus at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School from 1999 to 2001, taught Geometry and Calculus at Bishop Montgomery High School from 1985 to 1999 where she was also the Girls’ and Boys’ Athletic Director while coaching the Girl’s Softball and Basketball teams, and taught Algebra and Physics at Gardena High School from 1984 to 1985. Ms. Mitchell graduated from the California State University at Dominguez Hills where she also earned her teaching credential. Ms. Mitchell has two sons, Michael, who graduated in 2008 from PVHS and David, currently at PVHS and playing on the varsity baseball team. Ms. Mitchell and her family enjoy snowboarding in the winter at Mammoth Mountain and water sports in the summer on the Colorado River.
The mission of the Palos Verdes High School (PVHS) Mathematics department is to provide a world-class learning experience for all students and to provide those students with the mathematical knowledge necessary for success in College and in all aspects of their lives. Part of the success of our students is due to PVHS’ block period schedule. It allows for more instruction time, more teacher-student interaction time, and more time for test preparation. The PVHS Mathematics department has created a fully comprehensive Math program that addresses the needs of every individual student. From Algebra to Advanced Placement Calculus, the PVHS Math curriculum covers every area of high school mathematics, and also includes non-traditional courses in Statistical Analysis and Engineering.
Our outstanding mathematics faculty, which includes one PhD and several Masters Degrees, can provide a rigorous set of Advanced Placement and honors courses. Advanced Placement classes that earn College credits are available in our Calculus AB, Calculus BC, and Statistics Analysis AP classes. The department also boasts an award winning Math Club that participates in competitions at Pepperdine University, Caltech, and Cal State University, Long Beach. Students also benefit from a number of extra-curricular math programs, including Math Competition, The Bay Math League, the California Math League, the Mandelbrot Contest, and the American Mathematics Competitions. We also have an active membership in the national mathematics honor society, Mu-Alpha –Theta where students can join and receive national recognition.
Department Lead: Marie Kuhn
Room: 313
Phone: 310-378-8471 Ext. 613
Email: kuhnm@pvpusd.k12.ca.us
Hello! My name is Mrs. Marie Kuhn and I have been a science teacher for 20 years. In addition to being Department Lead for an amazing group of dedicated science teachers, I am currently part of our AVID Leadership Team and advisor for our Surfrider Foundation Club.
One of my favorite things about teaching at Palos Verdes High School is being able to provide our wonderful students opportunities for learning beyond the classroom. For example, for the past four summers I have been able to join my colleague, Mrs. Julie Muñoz, on a 10-day field research trip for students to the Galapagos Islands! There is something for everyone here in the Science Department at PVHS and we look forward to you joining our Sea King community of learners!
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
Conduct science research in the Galapagos Islands, observe and identify local tide pool organisms, perform protein purification and DNA technology techniques, build a remotely operated vehicle, or figure out the physics of rollercoasters! Whatever your interests, the PVHS science department offers a variety of unique, hands-on learning opportunities for you to explore in all areas of science. Our enthusiastic science teachers love what they do and are excited to work with you in:
- Biology, Biology Honors, Biology 2, Biology AP
- Chemistry, Chemistry Honors, Chemistry AP
- Physics, Physics AP
- Environmental Science AP
- Marine Biology, Marine Biology Honors
- Physiology and Anatomy
- Developmental Physiology and Sports Medicine
- Science Research
- and our award-winning Palos Verdes Institute of Technology (PVIT) program
Department Lead: Louis Harley
Room: 311
Phone: 310-378-8471 Ext. 611
Email: harleyl@pvpusd.k12.ca.us
Louis Harley, the department lead for PV High’s social science department, has been enjoying teaching at PV High since 2004, after previously spending nine years in the Torrance Unified School District. Although teaching is Mr. Harley's true passion, it is his third career. After completing a degree in business at Loyola Marymount, he went into the financial world, while earning a M.B.A. with emphasis in international finance at LMU. Not quite finished with graduate studies, Mr. Harley earned his Juris Doctorate degree at Whittier College and practiced law for four years. Taking what was originally a three year break from the law, Mr. Harley is now dedicated to finishing his career as a teacher at PV High.
Mr. Harley came to PV High with a vision to increase the academic opportunities for high-achieving students. He created the PVID program as well as new AP Comparative Government and AP Human Geography courses, all while increasing enrollment in AP Government from 4 students the year before he came to PVHS to over 200 enrolled today. Last year, he re-established an Academic Decathlon team that won best new program in Los Angeles County. In his free time, Mr. Harley likes to travel, coach his daughters’ soccer and T-ball softball teams and collect terrible jokes that he shares with his students.
The mission of PV High’s Social Science department is to provide quality learning experiences to all students that lead to understanding how each of us shapes, and is shaped by, our culture and society. PV High’s social science department has created one of the most unique and outstanding programs in the nation. Our outstanding social science faculty, which includes three attorneys, takes great pride in being one of just a handful of high schools nation-wide that offers a supplementary international studies diploma, (PVID), for students that successfully complete a rigorous list of Advanced Placement and honors social science courses. We are able to offer this opportunity because we are one the only high school in Los Angeles County that offers all seven of the Advanced Placement social science courses: AP Comparative Government, AP Economics, AP European History, AP Human Geography, AP Government and Politics, AP US History and AP World History. In addition, our outstanding, award-winning Model United Nations and Mock Trial teams offer students the chance to apply their learning experiences to an extra-curricular setting.
Department Lead: Cecilia Remeta
Phone: 310-378-8471 x628
Room: 328
Email: remetac@pvpusd.k12.ca.us
Mrs. Remeta was born and raised in Lima, Peru. She has been teaching at Palos Verdes High School since 2003. She earned a BS in Architecture in Lima and came to USA to further her studies at UCLA. Prior to teaching she worked for nine years in the interior design field. After having her children she decided to become a teacher. She graduated from LMU with a Masters Degree in Secondary Education. Teaching Spanish is her passion and she is excited to share what she knows as a native speaker. Mrs. Remeta currently teaches Spanish IV, Spanish V, and AP Spanish Literature. In her free time she loves to spend time with her family and travel.
The Foreign Language Department at Palos Verdes High School currently offers regular, honors, and AP classes for Spanish, French, and Chinese. We have a dynamic, creative and experienced faculty of 11 teachers. All of our teachers hold CA teaching credentials and most of them have earned master’s degrees.
The Foreign Language Department Goals are:
- To fulfill students’ College entrance requirements.
- To help students become proficient communicators.
- To gain appreciation of a language and the richness of its culture.
- To understand the importance of language for diplomacy and cooperation between nations.
Our Language programs benefit from the block schedule, which allows extended time (approximately 113 minutes) in the classroom to learn, practice, and refine all language skills. We offer:
Chinese program
- 5 year Chinese program
- Third year accelerated pace Honors classes
- Zero period Chinese 2-Open to 8th graders
- Fourth year AP Chinese Language – College credit
- AP passing rate over 90%
- Fifth year Chinese class
French Program
- 4 year French program
- Third year accelerated pace Honors classes
- Zero period French 1-Open to 8th graders
- Fourth year AP French Language – College credit
Spanish Program
- 5 year Spanish program
- Third year accelerated pace Honors classes
- Fourth year AP Spanish Language – College credit
- Fifth year AP Spanish Literature – College credit
- AP passing rate over 90%
- Second and third year remedial MCR program
All Foreign Language classes promote the acquisition of a new language according to ACTFL’s National Standards.
Communication
- Focus on writing and creative expression.
- Individual and group oral presentations.
- Cumulative portfolio with self- reflection.
- Classroom debates and literary circles.
Culture
- Various cultural and artistic research projects.
- A thorough understanding of other cultures’ products and practices.
- Use of authentic music and films in the classroom.
- Important cultural celebrations in Spanish, French, and Chinese.
Connection
- Interdisciplinary correlation through current events and presentational projects.
- Use of technology to acquire and present information.
- Research projects to further students’ knowledge in literature, history, geography, social studies, music, and art.
Comparison
- Improve student’s understanding of his/her language and culture by comparing it to the foreign language studied.
Community
- Active Spanish and French Honor Society.
- Students’ participation in community service projects.
- Travel opportunities in summer immersion programs.
- Annual field trips to visit local events, exhibitions, museums, etc.
Department Lead: Kristy Jiminez
Phone: 310-378-8471 x231
Room: 211
Email: jimenezk@pvpusd.k12.ca.us
Kristy Jimenez is the Photography and Animation Instructor. She earned her BA at UCSB in the Arts and her Masters at Pepperdine University in Educational Technology. She has been teaching for 18 years in the arts and digital Media Arts, at the high school level. The department prides itself on creating interesting, unique, and challenging creative opportunities to prepare students for either an art school or positive well-rounded art experience.
The Arts Department offers diverse courses that are unique to any other school. We offer Drawing and Painting 1, 2 and AP 2-D, Ceramics 1, 2, 3 and AP 3_D, Photography 1, 2, 3, Drama, Dance, AP Art History, as well as specialized classes including Digital Animation 2-d and 3-D, Sculpture 1 and 2, Video Production and Broadcast Journalism (A National Award winning broadcast program) and Glass Blowing.
