State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond recently announced that three schools in Orange County are being recognized as Model Continuation High Schools (MCHS) for 2020.
Statewide 43 schools received the honor. The MCHS Recognition Program is a collaborative partnership between the California Department of Education and the California Continuation Education Association. The program honors continuation high schools for the comprehensive services they provide at-risk youth through instructional strategies, flexible scheduling, guidance, and counseling.
The three local schools are Gilbert High School in Anaheim Union High School District, Richland Continuation High School in Orange Unified School District and Silverado High School in Saddleback Valley Unified School District.
“This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and determination of the teachers, school staff, and administrators who are helping these students to thrive personally and academically,” Thurmond said in a news release. “With the right guidance, encouragement, and support, students in continuation high schools can access the same career and college opportunities after graduation as their peers in traditional school settings. These model schools give students a chance to not only succeed in high school but in life.”
Continuation schools provide a high school diploma program for students ages 16 through 18 who have not graduated from high school, are required to attend school, and are at risk of not completing their education. The MCHS were selected based on a comprehensive and competitive application process that involved assessments and data. The process included a peer review panel and on-site visit.
The 43 schools selected as MCHS retain their designation for three years and will be recognized at the 2020 CCEA State Conference in San Diego on May 1–3, 2020.