Welcome to Paradise Valley High

Community

Paradise Valley High School is located in a dynamic and culturally diverse suburban area of northeast Phoenix. We have a diverse student body of approximately 2000 students and provide comprehensive programs including college preparatory, dual enrollment, career and technical education (CTE), special education, and Structured English Immersion. STEM curriculum is encouraged school-wide and is emphasized through our specialty program, The Center for Research in Engineering, Science, and Technology (CREST). CREST is a STEM focused specialty program that provides students with the opportunity to study in one of three technical areas: bioscience, computer science, or engineering. Each strand is designed to function as a student-centered, problem based learning environment where students collaborate with peers, teachers, and university and industry experts through job shadowing and internship programs.  Rigor, relevance, and relationships are emphasized in all subjects. 

Accreditation and Membership

Paradise Valley High School is accredited through AdvancEd and is a member of the Arizona Interscholastic Association.

Schedule

We offer a block schedule where all 1.0 credit classes meet 86 minutes every day for an 18-week semester. Classes earning .5 credits meet for 86 minutes every other day for one semester. Students typically complete 4 credits each semester and up to 8 credits each school year. In 4 years, students may earn up to 32 credits. Our graduation requirement is 23 credits, including 4 language arts, 4 math, 3 science, 3 social studies (World Hist/Geo, US Hist, Gov/Econ), 1 vocational/fine arts, .5 health & .5 PE (Life Concepts), and 7 electives. Currently, our offerings include 21 AP courses, 25 Honors courses and 33 Dual Enrollment courses.

PVHS Bell Schedule

Block	Start Time	End Time
Zero Hour	6:40 a.m.	7:20 a.m.
1	7:30 a.m.	8:56 a.m.
2 (w/ announcements)	9:02 a.m.	10:34 a.m.
1st Lunch	10:34 a.m.	11:06 a.m.
3	10:40 a.m.	12:06 p.m.
4	11:12 a.m.	12:38 p.m.
2nd Lunch	12:06 p.m.	12:38 p.m.
5	12:44 p.m.	2:10 p.m.

Grades and Percentiles

All classes are averaged into the cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA): A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0. Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors (H) are given additional points (A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2) to produce a weighted grade point average. Our District does not rank based on GPA, but uses percentiles only. Our grading scale is A=90-100%, B=80-89%, C=70-79%, D=60-69%, F<=59%.

Colleges and Scholarships

Paradise Valley High School has a graduation rate of 89.91%. Of our 2025 graduates, 74.5% went on to a 2-year (18.9%) or 4-year (48%) college or went to Career Tech Ed (7.6%) with 2.9% going into the Military. More than 19.7 million dollars in scholarships were offered to our students.

Student Computers

The Paradise Valley School District loans a take-home device to students in grades 7-12. There is no fee for the use of the device, but families may carry full liability for the device (Chromebook) in the same way they do for other damaged or lost school property, such as textbooks. There is an optional protection plan which may be purchased annually and provides for reduced repair and replacement costs. Purchase the protection plan via the school bookstore. Students and parents must also sign a Device User Agreement.

Athletics Information

The Athletics office number is (602) 449-7023.

Students interested in participating in sports must complete a sports packet. Check the PVHS website for more information or see our Athletic Director, Brock Heykoop, or our Athletic Assistant, Karen Barnett, with any questions.

In order to participate in district-organized athletics, each athlete and one of their parents or legal guardians must watch the PVSchools Informed Consent video either at a scheduled parent meeting or online.

This is only required once during your four years in high school. Please refer to the PVSchools Athletic Information Form for a parent/guardian signature after viewing. All athletes must complete this form prior to playing a sport. You can download the athletics form via the district website.

Traffic Information

Traffic on the first few days is usually a challenge, so it is a good idea to arrive early in order to avoid traffic congestion. The West Lot is the ONLY lot designated for student pick-up and drop-off, as well as student parking. It is a busy area at arrival and dismissal time. Students are encouraged to ride the bus, if they are eligible. Please do not drop off in adjacent businesses. 

For the safety of our students, staff members, parents, and other members of the community with whom we share the road, we strongly advise that you please observe the following:

• All students and parents must use the WEST LOT before school and after school for parking and drop-off/pick-ups. The student drop-off area is at the north end of the lot by the baseball field.
• The EAST LOT is reserved for special needs busses and staff members only. It is not a student drop-off area.
• The SOUTH LOT is reserved for staff members and visitors only. It is not a student drop-off area until AFTER 7:30 a.m.
• Please do NOT drop off (or pick up) students in the following areas, as it may cause traffic problems:
  • the east side of campus along 40th Street
  • the city bus lane south of our C.R.E.S.T. Building
  • the south side of campus along Bell Road
• As a courtesy to our neighbors, do NOT drop off (or pick up) students across the street in the Walgreen's or hospital parking lots. Parking in these lots may result in your vehicle being towed.
• Arrive/drop off students early. Traffic/parking congestion is heaviest from 7:10 - 7:30 a.m.