State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Announces Model Continuation High Schools for 2023

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced today that 37 schools throughout the state were recognized as Model Continuation High Schools for 2023. Model Continuation High Schools provide comprehensive services to at-risk youth through the use of exemplary instructional strategies, flexible scheduling, and guidance and counseling services. Continuation schools provide a high school diploma program for students ages sixteen through eighteen who have not graduated from high school, are required to attend school, and are at risk of not completing their education.

“Congratulations to these wonderful schools for their all-around excellence as alternative centers of learning,” said Thurmond. “They provide invaluable resources and academic opportunities for students and their families across our state. The efforts of teachers and administrators at our Model Continuation High Schools provide students with the social support and goal-setting skills that they need to succeed in the academic setting and in their lives after high school.”

More than 430 continuation high schools serve close to 78,000 students throughout the state. Model Continuation High Schools excelled and provided exceptional opportunities for their students to pursue academic and social success. For example:

• Citrus High School in Porterville not only values each student but also is committed to building relationships with each student as staff “meet them where they are” and help students to grow into the adults they were destined to become. Peer tutoring at the local elementary school and serving as camp counselors boosts student confidence and worth but also truly connects the school to the community itself.
• Donald C. Jamison Continuation High School in Lemoore provides students with additional opportunities to earn credit. The use of the online program Edgenuity helps all students take advantage of the courses available in person each day on campus while making up credit through online classes. The school offers students a number of “outside the norm” classes and community connections that lead to high levels of engagement and success because student voice is valued.
• Fernando R. Ledesma High School in El Monte provides an excellent alternative education for students in the San Gabriel Valley. The caring, nurturing, experienced staff committed to “at-promise” youth is a point of pride. This dedication has resulted in little staff turnover; staff have an average of 20 years working with and serving the student population. Ledesma High School educators focus on preparing students for continuing their education at the college level, and the crown jewel of the school is a soon-to-open multipurpose facility.
• Palomar High School in Chula Vista relies on an administrative team that follows a shared leadership model, so all decisions that directly impact students, staff, and school culture are based on data and a shared consensus. The leadership team oversees multiple committees that are made up of representatives from the school staff, counselors, teachers, students, and the community. When the teams come to a consensus on a school matter, the rest of the staff is confident that all lenses were used to ensure that the students’ best interests are taken into consideration.
• Abraxas High School in Poway can best be described as a student-centered, student-first learning community wherein thoughtful adults have intentionally designed and redesigned all aspects of the student experience based on student needs. All stakeholders, administrators, teachers, staff, parents, district officials, community partners, and—most importantly—students have agency and voice in decision-making around school practices.

The Model Continuation High School Recognition Program is a collaborative partnership between the California Department of Education (CDE) and the California Continuation Education Association Plus (CCEA Plus). Schools operate their own exemplary programs, but Model Continuation High School-recognized educators commit to supporting and mentoring their peers in other local educational agencies.

The 37 schools selected as Model Continuation High Schools retain their designation for three years and will be recognized at the CCEA Plus 2023 State Conference in San Diego from April 27 to April 30, 2023. For more information on continuation education, please visit the CDE Continuation Education web page.

2023 Model Continuation High Schools

• Abraxas High School, Poway Unified School District, San Diego County
• Alessandro High School, Hemet Unified School District, Riverside County
• Alta Vista High School, Vista Unified School District, San Diego County
• Amistad High School, Desert Sands Unified School District, Riverside County
• Black Rock High School, Morongo Unified School District, San Bernardino County
• Boynton High School, Campbell Union High School District, Santa Clara County
• Buena Vista Continuation High School, Chino Valley Unified School District, San Bernardino County
• Buena Vista High School, Paramount Unified School District, Los Angeles County
• Citrus Continuation High School, Fontana Unified School District, San Bernardino County
• Citrus High School, Porterville Unified School District, Tulare County
• Coronado High (Continuation), West Covina Unified School District, Los Angeles County
• DeWolf High School, Fresno Unified School District, Fresno County
• Discovery High School, Natomas Unified School District, Sacramento County
• Donald C. Jamison Continuation High School, Lemoore Union High School District, Kings County
• Fairvalley High School, Covina-Valley Unified School District, Los Angeles County
• Fernando R. Ledesma High School, El Monte Union High School District, Los Angeles County
• Gilbert High School, Anaheim Union High School District, Orange County
• Glen View High School, Beaumont Unified School District, Riverside County
• Hillside High School, Upland Unified School District, San Bernardino County
• Jereann Bowman High School, William S. Hart Union High School District, Los Angeles County
• John J. Cairns Continuation High School, Lindsay Unified School District, Tulare County
• Kurt T. Shery High School, Torrance Unified School District, Los Angeles County
• Mt. San Jacinto High School, Palm Springs Unified School District, Riverside County
• North Park High School, Baldwin Park Unified School District, Los Angeles County
• Orangewood High School, Redlands Unified School District, San Bernardino County
• Ortega High School, Lake Elsinore Unified School District, Riverside County
• Palomar High School, Sweetwater Union High School District, San Diego County
• Phoenix Continuation High School, Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles County
• Prospect High School, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Contra Costa County
• Robertson High School, Fremont Unified School District, Alameda County
• Santana High School, Rowland Unified School District, Los Angeles County
• Sierra Continuation High School, Tahoe-Truckee Unified School District, Placer County
• Tierra Del Sol Continuation High School, Kern High School District, Kern County
• Twin Oaks High School, San Marcos Unified School District, San Diego County
• Vail High School, Montebello Unified School District, Los Angeles County
• Val Verde High School, Val Verde Unified School District, Riverside County
• Valley High School, Escondido Union High School District, San Diego County

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