Ponte Vedra High School

Posted: May 28, 2025

Posted: May 28, 2025

Posted: May 28, 2025

Posted: May 28, 2025

Ponte Vedra High School may look polished on the outside, but once you step inside, it’s anything but positive. From the very beginning, I experienced more stress, anxiety, and isolation than support. The pressure to be perfect is unbearable, and when you ask for help, you’re treated like a burden by the administration. This school loves to call itself “prestigious,” but the truth is—it’s a place filled with pressure, superficiality, and emotional neglect.

The staff? Uninformed and out of touch. The dress code is absurdly strict—if you show a shoulder or an inch of midriff, you’re slapped with detention. The counselors spread misinformation. I personally had one tell me that if I transferred to FLVS, colleges would disregard my application. That’s completely false, and it shows how little they understand or care.

The school has a known substance abuse problem, and nothing is done about it. Walk into a bathroom between classes, and it’s like stepping into a fog machine—cherry, banana, strawberry vape clouds everywhere. Peer pressure to join in is constant, and the administration turns a blind eye to the obvious nicotine addiction running through the school.

Because PV is in a wealthy area, most of the students here are privileged, arrogant, and emotionally disconnected. They expect everything to be handed to them. The school culture is toxic—a nonstop cycle of gossip, fake friendships, and ruthless competition. Everyone’s obsessed with copying the person above them just to climb some imaginary social ladder. It’s exhausting. If you don’t fit their mold—perfect, silent, and smiling—you’re cast aside. The students are heartless. The staff is disconnected. And the longer you stay, the more this place wears you down until you think you’re the problem.

I would never recommend this school. I would never send another student here. PVHS didn’t shape me—it taught me how to spot a toxic environment.

Posted: May 28, 2025

Posted: May 28, 2025

Posted: May 28, 2025

Posted: May 28, 2025

Posted: September 6, 2024

Posted: September 6, 2024

Posted: September 6, 2024

Posted: September 6, 2024

Ponte Vedra High School is an “A” school because it has a wonderful support system.
Families outside our zoning apply for our Academies just to attend this High School.

The people who are giving poor ratings probably don’t attend this High School and just want to give poor ratings.

It’s not perfect. I’m sure Teachers and Admins will tell you there’s too much parent involvement, but on the flip side of that- you get the Parent support! ;)

We have lived here over 30 years.
We had 2 kids graduate from PVHS.
It’s a wonderful community, with wonderful schools! (All of them: Ocean Palms and Alice B. Landrum Middle)

Keep up the great work Teachers and Admins!
Go Sharks!!

Posted: September 6, 2024

Posted: September 6, 2024

Posted: September 6, 2024

Posted: September 6, 2024

Posted: March 25, 2024

Posted: March 25, 2024

Posted: March 25, 2024

Posted: March 25, 2024

Posted: March 25, 2024

Students vape and admin does nothing. Students get bullied and they blame the victim. Teachers don't teach. In fact they have a Chemistry teacher that can't speak English and when the student is struggling because the teacher can't speak the lesson plan they blame the student. It is frustrating to see this school with a 9 rating when everyone knows it is not a good quality school.

Posted: March 25, 2024

Posted: March 25, 2024

Posted: March 25, 2024

Posted: October 16, 2023

Posted: October 16, 2023

Posted: October 16, 2023

Ponte Vedra High School works hard to make sure each student finds their place in High School. The school spirit is amazing and the teachers and staff are very supportive and good at directing the energy of teenagers. The Drama department is beyond excellent, the sports are the best in the state, and the students from PV go on to become competent successful adults.

Posted: October 16, 2023

Posted: October 16, 2023

Posted: October 16, 2023

Posted: October 16, 2023

Posted: October 16, 2023

Posted: October 23, 2022

Best high school I have ever taught. Not perfect, but nothing is. However, 99% of the parents care and support staff. You always get some disenfranchised people everywhere, but you make the school, the school doesn't make you. This community is filled with successful people that worked hard foe their success and it shows on their kids. If anyone complains about this school it is because our school adheres to higher standards. If yiu don't like it. Don't complain. We are not going to lower our standards...you must elevate yours.

Posted: October 23, 2022

Posted: October 23, 2022

Posted: October 23, 2022

Posted: October 23, 2022

Posted: September 7, 2019

Posted: September 7, 2019

Posted: September 7, 2019

Posted: September 7, 2019

Posted: September 7, 2019

Posted: September 7, 2019

Posted: September 7, 2019

Just awful. Would never recommend to anyone.

Posted: November 7, 2017

Posted: November 7, 2017

Posted: November 7, 2017

Posted: November 7, 2017

Posted: November 7, 2017

Posted: November 7, 2017

Posted: November 7, 2017

We're thrilled with PVHS. I actually transferred my kids from a private school as it has such a great reputation. I've not been disappointed.. I have one child that excels and another with LD's. Both are thriving at PVHS and I'm Most Thankful to the staff who truly cares about it's kids.

Posted: January 13, 2016

Great high school, strong academics, many course options. The area that needs improvement is kids building empathy for peers and respecting diversity. PV is a wealthy place and there are kids raised in such a way that they can "only" be friends with other rich kids. This will change in college and I feel the school needs to better prepare kids for that. They need a Diversity or Empathy program. Look into things done at other schools. Teach these kids about the world outside the "PV Bubble". This isn't just "collecting for charity" but it's being nice and accepting of everyone around you. We want our community known for raising great kids that are nice and will contribute positively to the world (not just rich kids). I hope the administration will look at programs done at other schools and bring a program to PV.

Sports teams are good...but to allow more participation, they need to offer more teams, like Freshman teams or second JV teams in popular sports. This would be a win win as I know theres more kids that want to play (soccer, baseball, golf, tennis) and more teachers or community members that want to coach.

Posted: February 18, 2014

At first this school will dazzle you with stories about how grand they are and that by having your child attend there, they will have the Ponte Vedra name behind them when applying for colleges and how they are #3 in the state. They are not. According to US News and world report 2013 rankings they are #19 and have a 55.2% college advancement. According to. UNF admissions officer, college admissions no longer looks at ethnicity, high school name or legacy. Their World Language Department is less than stellar with many teachers leaving each year. One would wonder why that department alone. They make policies but then do not follow them, only if it benefits a particular teacher or student otherwise it's just policy. Currently there are four high schools in Duval County with higher rankings. There are many fine teachers and Departments there. If considering the school for your student I would urge you to do some research.

Posted: June 27, 2013

This School is amazing. Wonderful academic and athletic programs. Committed teachers, very much parent involvement. Positive atmosphere!

Posted: April 5, 2012

The school does a great job in every respect. The teachers are high quality and committed to the students. The school offers a great variety of courses with a broad range of AP subjects. The business/marketing and science Academies are very good. We had children go to Bolles and Episcopal (both excellent private schools) and we are very happy with PVHS.

Posted: January 14, 2012

Outstanding School, Outstanding Teachers, Outstanding Admin.. They believe in what they say and stand by it, with no exceptions to the rules, Kudo's to the staff and teachers, keep up the good work.

Posted: October 25, 2011

This is the best high school in the best school system in the state of Florida. Period. There are virtually zero discipline problems. Parent involvement is high and the administration is amazing.

Posted: June 29, 2011

What a disappointment for a new school. I have several different school systems to compare to in different states. This school has some serious trust issues with students, expecting the bad all the time. Administration is more concerned with image of the school and dress code than it is the students. The Guidance department is the worst i have ever encountered. If you are not an athlete, or going to attend the top two state universities, counselors don't have time for you. Teachers leave much to be desired. Only a handful are good. The foreign language department is terrible with little cohesiveness from year to year. The math department is awful with more emphasis being placed on topics covered than on ensuring students understand the topic. The language arts department isn't much better. Students are very snobby and not welcoming or open. The nicest person at this school is the nurse. Other parents i have talked to feel the same way, but won't speak up for fear of retribution. sad.....

Posted: June 3, 2011

Administration unsupportive, most teachers here act as if they hate their job, parents run the coaches and athletics so if your not on the board forget your child having a fair chance, conflicts of interest in most sports especially cheer. Much better Saint John's Schools to attend wuld not recommend moving here.

Posted: April 3, 2011

Excellent school!!! Very challenging for my child. The teachers are exceptional. This school has a lot to offer.