Pacific Grove High School

615 Sunset Drive

School District

Pacific Grove Unified
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for Pacific Grove Unified School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by other on May 06, 2024

This school thrives on nepotism. If you aren't related to the staff or the administration it will be very hard to do well at this school. As a 2020 alum my experience with this school is that although this school has a strong sense of community (due to its small size), it often feels like privacy is compromised as information can spread quickly. Some staff members could improve in maintaining confidentiality because most of them do not and everyone knows everything. The small size also leads to a lot of overlap between staff and student families, which leads to favoritism. Academically, I feel there's an over-reliance on self-learning for new material. Unfortunately, some teachers appear disinterested and lack the enthusiasm necessary to engage students effectively. While some are exceptional, others seem to lack motivation, which can make learning challenging. The school's physical layout and safety measures are commendable, but the academic rigor sometimes feels unreasonably high.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2024

I have 2 different reviews for this school. For an average student I feel this school is great! Small classes, supportive teacher, and real caring. Small school feeling and in turn small community feeling.For a overachiever student, I feel like they lack in support as thier AP offerings are lowering, then don't offer any support to students who want to go above and beyond, and they cater to what CA colleges and leave no room to expand to students wanting to go to out of state colleges or ivy leages. Want your student to take the PSAT, ACT, or SAT? Absolutely no support. Need a student to be in a higher class, again no support. The school even pushes for students to not take a full class load and take more extracurricular after-school activities. (Why encourage freshmen to not take a full day?)My student wanted to take an AP test in a class not offered...no support. My 8th grader needed to take a highschool math class...pulling teeth to accomplish. Military family support is zero, as they really don't deal with students who plan to transfer well.(Nor them coming in feeling very welcome).So while I truly have great things to say about the teachers, the administration to helping student who want to be high achievers was lacking.Side note: My student loves thier robot club!!
Submitted by parent on October 10, 2021

This is a review of the Pacific Grove Unified School District, not just the high school or any other school in this small district. Speaking as a parent who moved to the town of PG specifically because of the schools... over the last 2 years, the behavior of the district and its school board has been incredibly disappointing. Yes, there are a lot of good things: the teachers are excellent, it's a nice community, and my children have made great friends and are getting a good education. However, the attitude of the school board is to become defensive, bordering on hostile, when improvements are suggested by parents and community members, instead of being open-minded and working to make the district better. The suggested improvements in question? 1) Provide DEI training, which it became evident is desperately needed as students of color gave heartbreaking testimonies of their experience of racism throughout their time in PGUSD, after a recent incident at PGHS brought the long-standing issue to light. 2) Follow all the best practices to protect children from COVID during the pandemic, after almost 200 PGUSD families signed a petition asking for better testing protocols at the schools. In both cases the board's response is, "nah, we don't have a problem, what we already do is good enough" (and also to complain that it annoys them to get critical feedback from the community). "Good enough" isn't good enough for our kids when their safety, whether from covid or from acts racism, is at stake. With some new board members, the district could be excellent.
Submitted by other on June 09, 2021

Bad teachers. The school values grades over learning.
Submitted by parent on December 11, 2018

We moved from a large city to Pacific Grove. I love the involvement students have (if they choose). The opportunities to participate in sports, leadership, etc is great. For its size, PGHS offers a wide variety of classes. There is a lot of opportunity for honors and AP classes as well. Great school.
Submitted by student on March 05, 2015

I been going to pg school for a while and I am a freshman at pghs and I don't really like it. The teachers are ok but the social life here is terrible. IF you are new to the school people will judge you if u want to be in there group. There is a lot of drama. People talk behind your back and sometimes you may even hear it in class. Some of the teachers don't really care about u but some do. There is not a lot of elective opportunities which is very disappointing. I am happy I got into a private school that has better teachers and everything I am glad i am leaving!!
Submitted by student on October 18, 2012

This school is amazing. I moved here from Maryland and the difference in the atmosphere is noticeable. People here are friendly and willing to help. Everyone here welcome you with open arms and are super friendly. Teachers are not easy, but this encouraged me to work hard and achieve all my goals. Teachers are more than willing to help with work. The school provides a challenging academic program, and school work ranges from 3-7 hrs on a school day (depending on how many, if any, AP/Honor classes you take. The clubs at school provide a wide variety of activities. I love this school!
Submitted by other on August 14, 2012

this is generally a good school for being a public school. only a little hard to make friends since most people already know each other