State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson has announced the designation of 37 Model Continuation High Schools for 2016 — and five of them are located right here in Orange County.
Brea Canyon High School in the Brea Olinda Unified School District, El Camino Real Continuation High School in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District, Marie L. Hare Continuation High School in the Garden Grove Unified School District, Junipero Serra High in the Capistrano Unified School District and Silverado High School in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District are all on the list, each having been recognized for innovative teaching approaches that enable students with diverse needs to complete their high school education, according to a news release from the California Department of Education.
Along with retaining the title of Model Continuation High School for three years, the five local schools will be honored at the California Continuation Education Association state conference in Riverside April 29 to May 1.
“I commend these schools for their exceptional work in keeping our students on the path to career and college readiness,” Torlakson, the state’s superintendent of public instruction, said Monday. “Thanks to the guidance and support offered, our students leave with a high-quality education and the self-confidence required to build a better future.”
More than 60,000 students in California attend 460 continuation schools, which are alternative learning environments designed to serve those 16 years or older who have not graduated or are at risk of not graduating. Continuation schools offer a wide range of programs and services, including independent study courses, career counseling, job placement, apprenticeships and concurrent enrollment in community college.
The Model Continuation High School Recognition Program represents a partnership between the California Department of Education and the aforementioned California Continuation Education Association — and the benefits go beyond mere recognition. Each campus that’s honored is asked to share its best practices with other continuation high schools, promoting success throughout the state.
For more information, visit the CDE’s Continuation Education webpage.