Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified, CA

Original Research by School Decision on Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified

Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified is a mid-sized suburban district serving kindergarten through grade twelve across several communities in Los Angeles County, including Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills Estates, and Rancho Palos Verdes. The district spans a geography of significant affluence; median home values are in the high range for the region, and rental costs also reflect a premium market. The median household income across the service area sits solidly above the national benchmark. This is a district where family purchasing power and housing stability shape the backdrop of schooling.

Academically, the district shows solid performance across tested grade bands and subjects. In English language arts, proficiency runs in the upper range across elementary and middle grades, with a dip in third grade but recovery by fourth grade and sustained strength through middle school. Mathematics shows slightly lower proficiency, trending downward through the middle grades; elementary students post stronger results, while by eighth grade proficiency softens. Science proficiency in fifth grade sits at a respectable level, though it declines notably by eighth grade. Testing data for social studies comes from an older assessment framework and is not recent enough to reflect current performance. The district's overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile among Los Angeles County districts, a meaningful signal of consistent academic execution.

Chronic absenteeism in the district runs low compared to county peers, also placing it in the top quartile. This suggests strong attendance culture and engagement. The district spends less per pupil than the median county district, yet maintains this performance level, which may reflect either efficiency or differences in student population needs.

The student body is racially and ethnically diverse. The largest groups are white and Asian students, each representing a substantial plurality. Hispanic, multiracial, two-or-more-races, and Black students together make up the remaining enrollment. Data on free or reduced-price lunch rates and English learner populations were not available, so a complete picture of economic diversity within the district is incomplete; a parent may want to ask the district directly about these measures if they are relevant to their family's situation.

The district operates multiple elementary schools, three intermediate schools, two traditional high schools, and a continuation high school, plus a distance learning academy and preschool option. This architecture gives families some choice within the district's boundaries, though no information about magnet or specialized program pathways was available in the data.

In late 2024, voters approved Measure SOS, a facilities bond funded through a property tax increase on homeowners. This was the district's second attempt at major facilities funding after an earlier, larger bond was rejected by voters in 2020. The approval signals that families and residents are willing to invest in campus infrastructure, though it also means households in the district will carry an ongoing tax obligation tied to school maintenance and modernization. Families considering a move into these communities should factor in this additional cost when weighing housing decisions.

A parent considering Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified is looking at a stable, academically sound district serving an affluent, diverse residential market where school funding initiatives rest partly on direct voter support and where attendance patterns are strong. Proficiency is above county norms, and the district is not struggling with attendance or disengagement. The setting is suburban and residential, with no public information about specialized academic pathways or distinctive programs, so the draw is largely standard college-prep K-12 education in a well-resourced, engaged community.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

10,393

Grades

KG–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 15%

Black 2%

White 39%

Asian 32%

Two+ 12%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 0%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr ALL

68%

—

Gr 3

57%

78%

Gr 4

74%

85%

Gr 5

81%

88%

Gr 6

65%

80%

Gr 7

63%

80%

Gr 8

58%

81%

Gr 11

75%

—

Math

Gr ALL

59%

—

Gr 3

58%

84%

Gr 4

71%

83%

Gr 5

66%

80%

Gr 6

58%

77%

Gr 7

56%

76%

Gr 8

46%

75%

Gr 11

61%

—

Science

Gr ALL

54%

—

Gr 5

64%

74%

Gr 8

45%

71%

Gr 11

67%

—

Gr HS

58%

—

Gr UG_SEC

66%

—

Schools in this District

18 schools are officially reported under this district.

Cornerstone at Pedregal Elementary

Lunada Bay Elementary

Palos Verdes Intermediate

Mira Catalina Elementary

Montemalaga Elementary

Point Vicente Elementary

Rancho Vista Elementary

Miraleste Intermediate

Silver Spur Elementary

Soleado Elementary

Vista Grande Elementary

Dapplegray Elementary

Rancho del Mar High (Continuation)

Ridgecrest Intermediate

Palos Verdes Peninsula High

Palos Verdes High

Sunrise Pre-School

Palos Verdes Distance Learning Academy

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

6 grades reported

81%

Grade 3

81%

Grade 4

78%

Grade 5

74%

Grade 6

74%

Grade 7

72%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

76%

Grade 3

84%

Grade 4

87%

Grade 5

78%

Grade 6

78%

Grade 7

78%

Grade 8

Science

2 grades reported

73%

Grade 5

67%

Grade 8

Social Studies

1 grade reported

88%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$2.19M

Year-over-year change-1.0%

Range across 5 ZIP codes$896K to $2.6M

vs. state typical2.82x

vs. national typical5.94x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (5 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
90275	Rancho Palos Verdes	$1.8M	-1.2%	50.6%
90274	Rolling Hills Estates	$2.6M	-0.7%	49.1%
90505	Torrance	$1.4M	0.0%	0.3%
90717	Lomita	$923K	+0.3%	0.0%
90732	Los Angeles	$896K	-1.3%	0.0%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$5,708/mo

Year-over-year change+4.5%

Range across 5 ZIP codes$3,125 to $5,973/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (5 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
90275	Rancho Palos Verdes	$5,464	+1.4%	50.6%
90274	Rolling Hills Estates	$5,973	+7.7%	49.1%
90505	Torrance	$3,231	+4.8%	0.3%
90717	Lomita	$3,125	+2.7%	0.0%
90732	Los Angeles	$3,378	-2.5%	0.0%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$11,045/mo

Home price / national median income26.1x

Annual rent / national median income81.8%

Est. mortgage exceeds rent by$5,337/mo

Comparison

State typical home value$776,233 (-1.1% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.