Paradise Valley High School

3950 East Bell Road

School District

Paradise Valley Unified District
Grade

7-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:19
Type

public

School Map for Paradise Valley Unified 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 parent on December 14, 2024

Send your kids to a real school. This is not the school you’re looking for. The teachers are low-IQ, lazy, self-entitled, bullying, condescending @$holes. The administration is completely incompetent.
Submitted by parent on April 01, 2022

PVHS is a fabulous high school that happens to also be public. The honors, AP, and CREST classes are very rigorous and challenging; however, students are not loaded down with busy work homework. The block schedule is a little odd and takes some getting used to, but it affords the kids greater latitude in scheduling and allows them to dive deeper into topics during their classtime. I really wish all schools could move to the block schedule. The CTE courses are phenomenal. Where else can students take advanced math, language AND auto shop, welding or culinary arts classes at the same campus? The teachers all seem highly engaged and very competent. I appreciate the emails from the counseling department. They are very proactive regarding scholarships, college admissions and internships. There are several sports teams and the coaching staff is very welcoming. The CREST program (the "school within a school") is an interesting concept and probably not right for everyone; however, for the right kid, it offers a unique and exceptional opportunity. CREST students have the opportunity to take two years of math classes and two to three years of science classes each year. So where high school students "back in my day" graduated with 4 years of math and 4 years of science, the CREST student can graduate with 8 years (or more in some cases!) of math and more than 10 years of science classes. This is because of the block schedule that coverts typical year-long courses into semester courses. Of course, that kind of class load is optional and students can benefit from the block schedule without taking multiple math or science classes each year. The school might look a little like a prison (sorry! but, it does!!!!) but the classes, teachers, staff, curriculum and programming are exceptional and definitely not "institutional."
Submitted by parent on October 08, 2021

My son has been a student at PVHS for three years. I was hesitant initially to enroll him based on hearsay from parents who had a child attend in many years past. I am absolutely thrilled that I did not listen. I love PVHS.Ian Deonise is the school's principal. He is communicative and hands on. We receive updates on every activity that takes place with the students and staff. Covid updates received daily. Any email he receives is answered the same day. The guidance counselors are the same. Emails are returned within typically the same day. I have complete trust in what is recommended. Sarah is the school nurse. She loves her job. Knows the students and their needs. Teachers for the most part have been excellent. Engaging, accessible, and willing to go the extra mile to ensure their students are successful. The school offers THE CREST PROGRAM ISTEM) Mr. Howedell is the Director. Another amazing person who lives, breathes and is passionate about his program and it shows. Patty Nadzieja runs the culinary program. This is a TOP NOTCH program that I wish my son was interested in. I wish I could take classes with Patty!. The equipment is newer and could be found in any resort. or catering business. The f ront office staff (Terry and Vivian) and the staff behind the scenes are also a pleasure to speak to. Is this review for real you may ask. YEP. I am thrilled that my son is enrolled at PV and the CREST program.
Submitted by parent on August 31, 2019

My child went to Horizon for Freshman year but was bussed to PV for electives. We noticed that the kids at PV were so much friendlier and did not seem to have a sense of entitlement like the Horizon kids. I moved my child to this school where he thrived. I would highly recommend PV over Horizon. The office staff is great, the teachers are great, the communication is great and I feel that they truly care about my child.
Submitted by other on July 10, 2017

3 boys. All graduated. One in the Navy, one is running his own construction company, one completed BSEE. This school is actually as good as they get for a big city. By this time a student gets to high school, study habits are already formed. Paradise Valley High school is perfect for those with those study skills. Class loading Teacher/Student makes this a perfect fit. Paradise Valley Community College is not too far from the Paradise valley Community College campus. Since Arizona does not pay their teachers very well, Housing costs in the surrounding area have attracted some of the better teachers in the Phoenix school districts.
Submitted by parent on October 02, 2016

PVHS offers a diversity of choices in education, from college prep and engineering disciplines to health care, culinary, and other vo-tech. The faculty and admin are dedicated to providing a safe and successful learning environment, and the students are respectful members of the learning community and embody PV PRIDE. The block scheduling allows for more project-based and interactive learning and engages students. The CREST Program offers college level engineering education. PVHS strives to offer the choices and learning environment we hope for with public education.
Submitted by student on May 13, 2015

A pretty poor school as a whole. Getting told by students to commit suicide and being called a plethora of other obscenities is not what I'd call ideal, to say the least. The principal refused to do anything about the harassment, claiming shows like "Family Guy" were the reason for their behavior. Evidently, this justifies her not intervening at all. I finished many classes with an A without having learned a thing, as the teachers apparently decided making everyone pass the class was far easier than actually doing their jobs. The staff simply doesn't care about the well-being of students, with my former Biotech teacher being a prime example. She refused to talk to me or my parents on the phone about my mental state at the time, (severe depression) saying she was "too busy." Overall, I would find a different school if possible. No one deserves this kind of education.
Submitted by parent on October 06, 2014

I love this school. My son is a sophomore and has had amazing teachers, who are very responsive and involved overall. The principal Ion Deonise is on his 2nd year and doing an outstanding job overseeing the school. With the CREST program on The Center for Research in Engineering, Science, and Technology (CREST) is a specialty program offered at Paradise Valley High School that provides students with the opportunity to study one of three specialized disciplines: biotechnology, computer science, or engineering the school is attracting great academic talent from across Arizona.
Submitted by teacher on March 08, 2014

I have thoroughly enjoyed substitute teaching at this awesome school. The student body gets along well with one another and are respectful of their teachers. I accomplished a lot of academics when I subbed there. I especially love the block scheduling and teaching upper level Spanish classes. There seems to be a community atmosphere at pv high school.
Submitted by parent on February 02, 2012

I LOVE this this high school and the block scheduling! It affords so many more opportunities for students to explore electives while still getting everything they need academically. I have two honors students there and they receive excellent instruction. Their teachers care, and there are many, many after school opportunities. The administration is great and very responsive. Every concern I have ever had has been addressed immediately and to my complete satisfaction. I like that the CTE and Crest programs are there so there is something for every student. The opportunities for academic and life skill exploration are boundless! High School is where kids should be trying on different academic and skill hats to see what fits and PV offers and encourages that. Great job PVHS!