Stanford spotlights Gilbert High School for civic engagement and student success

Vicky Nguyen
Gilbert Continuation High School students and staff celebrate after the school was recognized as a California Democracy School, an honor that recognizes campuses for preparing students to become informed and engaged civic participants.
Gilbert High School students and staff celebrate after the school was recognized as a California Democracy School, an honor that recognizes campuses for preparing students to become informed and engaged civic participants. (Photo courtesy of Jose Lara)

Quick look: Gilbert High School was featured by Stanford University’s John W. Gardner Center for Youth and Their Communities for its student-centered approach to alternative education, highlighting how civic engagement and real-world learning opportunities are helping students succeed.

Gilbert High School is receiving statewide recognition after being featured by Stanford University’s John W. Gardner Center for Youth and Their Communities for its innovative approach to supporting students through alternative education.

Published July 22, the Stanford feature highlights Gilbert, part of the Anaheim Union High School District, for its participation in the California Learning Collaborative on Alternative Education, a statewide network that brings together educators, district leaders and researchers to share promising practices for improving outcomes for students attending continuation and other alternative schools.

Learning beyond the classroom

The Gardner Center’s feature highlights how Gilbert Principal Jose Lara encourages students to engage in meaningful, real-world learning experiences that build civic responsibility alongside academic and career skills.

Gilbert Continuation High School students and staff record an episode of the school's "Student's Voice" podcast. From left are student Val Castro, teacher Jenni Cam, Community Schools Coordinator Krystel Miranda, student Sal Soria and teacher Arthur Russell.
Gilbert students and staff record an episode of the school’s “Student’s Voice” podcast. From left are student Val Castro, teacher Jenni Cam, Community Schools Coordinator Krystel Miranda, student Sal Soria and teacher Arthur Russell. (Photo courtesy of Jose Lara)

One example highlighted by the Gardner Center involved students who identified a transportation challenge that made it difficult to catch a municipal bus after school. After organizing a letter-writing campaign, students worked with the Orange County Transportation Authority to adjust the bus schedule, improving transportation access for current and future students.

The Gardner Center also noted Gilbert’s projected graduation rate of 85 percent for the 2025-26 school year, approaching California’s statewide average despite serving students who were previously at risk of dropping out.

“This recognition from the Gardner Center is incredibly meaningful for the entire Gilbert High School community,” Lara said. “It reinforces our belief that when students are supported with empathy and meaningful real-world learning opportunities, they achieve remarkable things.”

According to the Gardner Center, Gilbert’s work demonstrates how alternative schools can foster student success through personalized learning, civic engagement and opportunities that help students connect classroom learning with real-world experiences.

For more information about Gilbert High School, visit the school’s website.