DCUM-Type Insights for Torrance/Palos Verdes

[Anonymous]

Hi all-

Looking for recos to help my family with a relocation decision.

My sister's husband has been reassigned to a metro LA job. She will be moving with a rising high school sophomore and rising middle schooler. The move was not anticipated so is throwing a monkey wrench into college planning.

My sister is very concerned about optimizing chances for a future Engineering admit at the better campuses in the UC system. My nephews are biracial/bicultural white/Asian-American.

Does anyone have a POV on Torrance vs. Palos Verdes public schools?

Also interested in any websites/forum recos that would have good insight on LA-specific versions of DCUM topics (real estate, summer programs, college admissions, etc.)

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

You have no responses in six months because there's nothing like DCUM in that area. There's nothing like it because they don't need it. Full stop. Take that in...

In SoCal (including PV, Torrance, etc.) there is not the relentless, aggressive parenting and 1-upping that we see in NOVA with single parent spending every minute of their time trying to "optimize chances for future Engineering admit for their biracial kid." It just doesn't work that way there. lol. Relax. Enjoy the sunset, maybe? I so miss it there.

[Anonymous]

^^could not be further from the truth for PV. but I don't know of a website either

[Anonymous]

Wherever they go to school it is going to seem like they have returned to the 1980s by comparison with the DMV.

We made this move late 2022 when my kid was mid 10th grade. When they left Bethesda they were probably in the top 50 kids at Whitman academically. When we arrived at their new CA school they were literally #1 in the class right through til the end of 11th grade. They ended the 12th grade this year in the top 5 kids. Not the top 5% the top 5 kids in the school.

So there's some advantages.

[Anonymous]

Hi. OP here.

I had actually reposted my ask to a different non-geographic subforum of DCUM and got a few replies in real time that were helpful for my sister. Particularly about some real estate issues in Palos Verdes, which is what my sister chose. On DCUM, it's important to stay in the "Recent Topics" list, so I learned there aren't enough LA lurkers to make that happen.

There is evidence of local competitive parenting. There are two high schools in the Palos Verdes area and the school personalities were researchable enough online that my sister could pick between them. But the bigger issue for now is meshing with a new set of graduation requirements after already completing 25% of high school. California wants more gym. So my nephew took it in summer school before moving. One can take surfing for gym if you want. Also marching band.

Thanks to all who chimed in. There's no DCUM type board where she moved from (and where I still live) either. The capital region remains useful for something, lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi. OP here.

I had actually reposted my ask to a different non-geographic subforum of DCUM and got a few replies in real time that were helpful for my sister. Particularly about some real estate issues in Palos Verdes, which is what my sister chose. On DCUM, it's important to stay in the "Recent Topics" list, so I learned there aren't enough LA lurkers to make that happen.

There is evidence of local competitive parenting. There are two high schools in the Palos Verdes area and the school personalities were researchable enough online that my sister could pick between them. But the bigger issue for now is meshing with a new set of graduation requirements after already completing 25% of high school. California wants more gym. So my nephew took it in summer school before moving. One can take surfing for gym if you want. Also marching band.

Thanks to all who chimed in. There's no DCUM type board where she moved from (and where I still live) either. The capital region remains useful for something, lol.

You are correct - 2 years of PE required but ways and means of doing something physical that ticks the PE box.
Also very few SSL hours required (10?). the whole A-G courses are outlined well on the UC sites.