State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Announces 2025 Model Community Day Schools

SACRAMENTO —State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced today that nine schools have been selected as Model Community Day Schools (MCDSs) for 2025, the second year of implementation. Community day schools are schools for students who have been expelled from school or who have had problems with attendance or behavior. The MCDS Recognition Program is a partnership between the California Department of Education (CDE) and the California Continuation Education Association Plus (CCEA Plus).

“The exemplary achievements of our Community Day Schools are worthy of recognition—and yes, a celebration—as these institutions being honored today have shown exceptional dedication to their students and families,” said Superintendent Thurmond. “The holistic approach of these schools, which includes diverse educational options, mental health supports, and ancillary services, equips students with necessary skills to successfully complete high school, transition to higher education or trade school, and continue on to thrive in the workforce.”

During the three years that schools are designated as an MCDS, the CDE and CCEA Plus will identify them as resources for districts that are planning to establish new community day schools and for new and existing community day schools that would like expert support to expand and deepen their educational practices.

Schools were required to perform a self-evaluation focused on the following elements: (1) School Profile; (2) School Management; (3) Educating “This Whole Child” (Instruction); (4) Educating “This Whole Child” (Social, Emotional, and Mental Health and Development); and (5) School Evaluation of Effectiveness.

Each of the honorees retain their designation for three years and will be recognized at the CCEA Plus 2025 State Conference . Honorees are required to submit to the CDE an annual assurance of conformance to model school guidelines for the second and third years of designation. The Annual Assurance of Services Form will be available on the CDE MCDS Recognition Program web page.

The following were among the MCDSs that were named for 2025:

Creekside Community Day School, Visalia Unified School District, Tulare County

Creekside stands out for its personalized approach to education, robust support systems, and commitment to addressing the academic, social, and emotional needs of its diverse student population. The school fosters a culture of inclusiveness, safety, and student empowerment, creating transformative educational experiences that prepare students for lifelong success, using its innovative and student-centered approach to alternative education. Creekside distinguishes itself through a deeply personalized approach to student success. The small class sizes enable teachers to develop strong, trust-based relationships with students, which are critical to the school’s culture. Students spoke about the profound impact of their teachers’ patience, care, and understanding. One student shared, “The teachers here actually listen to us, and that makes us feel like we matter.” Additionally, Creekside’s restorative justice practices foster positive relationships and promote accountability. Instead of punitive approaches, the staff emphasizes conflict resolution and social-emotional learning, leading to a significant reduction in disciplinary incidents.

Redding Achieve Community Day School, Redding Elementary School District, Shasta County

The school stands out as a model environment for young learners due to its commitment to a student-centered education, holistic support, and innovative practices that foster a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment. The school’s motto, "unapologetically accommodating," highlights its dedication to meeting the diverse needs of all students, breaking down stigma, and promoting a culture of acceptance and support. A cornerstone of Redding Achieve’s approach is its emphasis on trauma-informed practices including daily check-ins, regulatory strategies, and real-world learning opportunities that help students build coping skills and self-regulation. With a high staff-to-student ratio, students are provided with individualized attention, allowing them to openly discuss personal and academic challenges. Because of the ages and needs of its learners, Redding Achieve has an intentional focus on social emotional, and behavioral supports including on-site mental health services through a therapist and the use of restorative practices. Redding Achieve’s instructional model is adaptive and personalized, with teachers adjusting the curriculum annually based on the specific needs of students with a focus in real world relevance such as designing skate parks to learn core content.

Woodlake Community Day School, Woodlake Unified School District, Tulare County

The school serves as a model setting because of its focus on hands-on learning, emotional and behavioral regulation, and academic readiness. The school, set on a 55-acre farm, offers students an uncommon experience to participate in the daily design, implementation, and maintenance of agriculture systems including irrigation, planting, maintenance of crops, and other agriculture-related activities. The farm, staffed by a full time curator, reports that students become so invested in their role with the farm that they often show up hours before school to help with planting and other tasks. Academic instruction and credit recovery systems ensure students have access to appropriate content instruction with the opportunity to repair credit gaps alongside the focus of the setting which is deeply invested in social emotional and behavioral support. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions and connections with staff support the sense of belonging students experience. Parents and caregivers report that the focus of Woodlake Community Day School- with its small setting, supportive structures, and seamless integration of hands-on learning- has helped their children foster a sense of self, community, and success.

Woodruff Academy School, Downey Unified School District, Los Angeles County

The school culture at Woodruff Academy School (WAS) is inclusive and empowering. Recognizing the diverse challenges faced by at-promise youth, WAS places a strong emphasis on social-emotional wellness. The on-campus Wellness Center provides students with a safe, supportive space and access to a range of mental health resources. To reduce stigma around mental health, school-wide wellness presentations are offered each semester. WAS’s trauma-informed approach identifies students’ social-emotional needs early, enabling tiered support through classroom presentations, workshops, counseling, and connections to external mental health resources. WAS’s personalized approach to learning includes strengths-based instruction, small class sizes, and a diverse curriculum with electives such as welding, botany, and a Teacher Assistant Program. The School Culture Committee fosters a positive environment through initiatives like Character Counts and anti-bullying campaigns. Students also participate actively in the Associated Student Body, helping shape school events and building leadership skills. Clubs, sports tournaments, and monthly Wellness Wednesdays contribute to a cohesive, supportive community, strengthening student belonging and engagement.

For more information on Community Day Schools, please visit the CDE Community Day Schools web page.

Complete List of 2025 Model Community Day Schools by County

Fresno County

• Clovis Community Day School (Elementary), Clovis Unified School District
• Clovis Community Day School (Secondary), Clovis Unified School District
• Phoenix Elementary Academy Community Day School, Fresno Unified School District

Los Angeles County

• Jewel City Community Day School, Glendale Unified School District
• Woodruff Academy School, Downey Unified School District

San Joaquin County

• Yosemite Community Day School (7-12), Manteca Unified School District

Shasta County

• Redding Achieve Community Day School, Redding Elementary School District

Tulare County

• Creekside Community Day School, Visalia Unified School District
• Woodlake Community Day School, Woodlake Unified School District

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Tony Thurmond — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5602, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100