High School Courses
Overview
Palos Verdes Peninsula Summer School (PVPSS) is thrilled to continue serving the educational community! Students entering grades 9-12 have the opportunity to enroll in our summer high school courses for advancement (see dates/times in the Daily Schedule section below). PVPSS offers both onsite and online classes, all of which meet the UC/CSU and NCAA college entrance requirements through our WASC accredited program. We have an incredible staff and outstanding atmosphere. With that being said, please review the information below to decide if PVPSS is the best option for you.
The program moves at a fast pace, as full-year courses are completed in only six weeks. Students must demonstrate a high degree of self-discipline to be successful, and it is very important to stay on track because each school day covers almost two weeks of material. Therefore, teachers are unable to provide extensions on assignments/exams for any reason, including illness. Also, students should only enroll in an honors class if they excel in that area and plan to do two to six hours of homework per night.
Please note that although our online program is asynchronous (no attendance), students must submit assignments and take exams on all school days. Students can work ahead on the assignments, but they must still take the exams and check for teacher updates on each school day. Virtual support is also available upon request.
Please also note that PVPSS is a non-profit private entity that does not follow the same policies and regulations as a public school. Due to the fast pace of the program, with only 12 school days in each semester, staff members are unable to provide any additional services that may be in place through the home District (such as extra time to submit assignments). However, families are always welcome to share helpful information with the instructors.
Again, please consider the items above when deciding if PVPSS is the best summer program for you.
SUMMER 2024 COURSE OFFERINGS (JUNE 17 – July 25)
*Students can enroll in one yearlong course and grade level refers to student’s grade in fall of 2024
* Rising seniors can take Online American Government/Economics concurrently with College Application Prep
*Students can finish onsite history courses in only four weeks – see Summer High School Information tab for details
*View the Summer High School Information tab for details on the format and schedule of all our programs
| Course | Description | Prerequisites |
Location/Teacher |
| World History | This course provides a basic understanding of world history, geography, and culture. Content will cover political thought in the development of law, religion, philosophy, and culture, while also emphasizing the influence of ancient civilization on modern society. | Grades 10 – 12 |
Onsite – PVPHS or Online |
| United States History | This course analyzes American political, social, and economic behavior during major periods in history. There is a focus on the multiple factors that affect continuity, outstanding contributions of individual Americans, change in ethnic composition of American society, the movement toward equal rights for racial minorities and women, and the expanding role of the Federal government in addressing critical issues. | Grades 11 – 12 |
Onsite – PVPHS or Online |
| American Government | This semester course provides perspective on politics and government in the United States. It compares systems of government in the world today, and analyzes the changing interpretations of the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and current state of the legislative/executive/judicial branches of government. The course also promotes familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that make up the American and comparative political system. | Grade 12 |
Onsite – PVPHS or Online |
| Economics | This course involves the study of microeconomics and macroeconomics to help students become responsible/effective decision makers. It provides an understanding of supply and demand, scarcity, the role of the marketplace, competition, and consumer choice. The course also covers inflation, unemployment, measures of national wealth, the economic role of the government, international trade/finance, personal economic decision making, investments, budget, job choice, and consumer information. | Grade 12 |
Onsite – PVPHS or Online |
| Course | Description | Prerequisites |
Location/Teacher |
| Geometry | Students develop an understanding of the concept of proof in geometric constructs and construct formal logical arguments. Students will study geometric constructions using compass and straight edge; properties of parallel and perpendicular lines, transformations, triangles and other polygons, similarity, basic trigonometry, circles and three dimensional shapes. Algebraic techniques are applied in the solution of problems for both two and three dimensional figures. | Grades 9 – 12 Completion of Algebra 1 |
Onsite – PVPHS |
| Geometry Honors | This course provides an in-depth understanding of the concept of proof in geometric constructs and construct formal logical arguments. Students will study geometric constructions using compass and straight edge; properties of parallel and perpendicular lines, transformations, triangles and other polygons, similarity, basic trigonometry, circles and three-dimensional shapes. Algebraic techniques are applied in the solution of problems for two- and three-dimensional figures. Students should only enroll in an honors class if they excel in that area and plan to do 2 to 5 hours of homework per night. | Grades 9 – 12 B or above in Algebra 1 H |
Onsite – PVPHS |
| Course | Description | Prerequisites |
Location/Teacher |
| Biology 1 | The lessons in this course include cell biology, basic chemistry, plant growth and Development, genetics, evolution, natural selection, reproduction, physiology, and ecology. Tuition plus $60 lab materials fee. | Grades 9 – 12 |
Onsite – PVPHS |
| Biology 1 Honors | This course prepares students for Advanced Placement Biology (Biology 2 AP), with a focus on laboratory investigations. The lessons include biochemistry, energy, fermentation, structure/function of the cell, genetics, origin of life, evolution, ecology, human physiology, classification, and plant physiology. Students should only enroll in an honors class if they excel in that area and plan to do 2 to 5 hours of homework per night. Tuition plus $60 lab materials fee. | Grades 9 – 12 Completion of Algebra 1 |
Onsite – PVPHS |
| Chemistry 1 | The lessons in this course include atomic structure, the periodic table, chemical bonding, matter/energy conversion, stoichiometry, gases, acids, bases, solutions, chemical thermodynamics, rates of reactions, chemical equilibrium, nuclear processes, organic chemistry, and biochemistry. Experiments, mathematical calculations, and models are used to attain an understanding of the concepts. Tuition plus $60 lab materials fee. | Grades 10 – 12 Completion of Geometry |
Onsite – PVPHS |
| Chemistry 1 Honors | This course prepares students for Advanced Placement Chemistry, with more of an emphasis on depth and problem-solving than seen in Chemistry 1. Experiments, mathematical calculations and models are used to attain an understanding of the concepts. Students should only enroll in an honors class if they excel in that area and plan to do 2 to 5 hours of homework per night. Tuition plus $60 lab materials fee. | Grades 10 – 12 Completion of Geometry |
Onsite – PVPHS |
| Course | Description | Prerequisites |
Location/Teacher |
| Digital Photography |
Students will learn about the history and evolution of photographs /film, as well as their enormous effect on American culture. Both traditional and digital techniques are introduced, as students learn how to take well-composed photographs. Emphasis will be placed on proper handling skills, compositional guidelines, and utilization of light, film selection, and lens capabilities. Students will use advanced techniques to create images while going through the photographic process (contrast control, cropping, dodging, etc). Students also study the relationship between the artist, process, product, and viewer. | Grades 9 – 12 |
Online |
| Drawing & Painting |
This course explores aesthetic perceptions and develops skills for using visual arts media effectively. These skills will enhance the ability to interpret and communicate ideas, feeling, and values. Tuition plus $60 materials fee. | Grades 9 – 12 |
Onsite – PVPHS |
| Course | Description | Prerequisites |
Location/Teacher |
| College Application Prep | This three-week (one semester) workshop assists rising seniors in producing excellent college applications. Students focus on creating a balanced college list and writing outstanding college essays, under the brilliant direction of Mrs. Baranick (PVPHS head counselor) and Mr. Hall (PVPHS language arts teacher and 2023 Teacher of the Year). CAP is not a graded course for credit, so students may take it concurrently with Online American Government and Economics. | Grade 12 |
Onsite – PVPHS Mrs. Baranick & Mr. Hall |