State Schools Chief Jack O Connell Recognizes 14 Outstanding Continuation High Schools

STATE SCHOOLS CHIEF JACK O’CONNELL RECOGNIZES 14 OUTSTANDING CONTINUATION HIGH SCHOOLS

SACRAMENTO – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell today named 14 California schools as 2009 Model Continuation High Schools for their programs designed to help struggling students stay in school. The list is attached. “In these challenging economic times, the risk of vulnerable students dropping out of school is greater than ever,” said O’Connell. “These model continuation high schools may provide the last connection that keeps troubled students in school, on a path to graduate, and on to better opportunities in life, college, and careers.” Continuation high schools, created in 1919, are celebrating their 90th anniversary this year. These schools focus on school-to-career education, individualized instructional strategies, intensive guidance and counseling, and flexible school schedules to meet student needs. Continuation high schools serve students aged 16 years or older who lack sufficient school credits and are at risk of not graduating. More than 71,000 students in the state attended 523 continuation high schools in 2007-08, the latest data available. The Model Continuation High School Recognition Program is a partnership of the California Department of Education and the California Continuation Education Association that identifies and recognizes outstanding programs and creates a resource list of quality programs for school visitations. To be eligible for the recognition, applicants must be accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and demonstrate exemplary program effectiveness, school management, curriculum, instructional strategies, assessment and evaluation, education climate, and guidance and counseling. As part of the application for recognition, parents, students, and community members were required to submit narrative statements supporting their respective schools. Fifteen schools applied for the recognition. A review team visited the schools and recommended 14 for model school status. The selected schools retain their title for three years and must submit an annual assurance of compliance with model school guidelines in order to maintain the designation. The 14 schools join 61 previously designated Model Continuation High Schools for a total of 75 Model Continuation High Schools in the state. For more information on Continuation Education, please visithttp://www.cde.ca.gov/105244. For more information about the California Continuation Education Association, please visithttp://www.cceanet.org/. # # # #

2009 MODEL CONTINUATION HIGH SCHOOLS

1. Alta Vista High School David Gordon, Principal 1575 Bonair Road Vista, CA 92084 Telephone: 760-724-3775

2. Alta Vista High School Bill Pierce, Principal 1235 Bryant Avenue Mountain View, CA 94040 Telephone: 650-691-2433

3. Apollo High School Dean May, Principal 3150 School Street Simi Valley, CA 93065 Telephone: 805-520-6150

4. Argus High School Jan Gordon, Principal P.O. Box 307 Ceres, CA 95307 Telephone: 209-556-1800

5. Calaveras Hills High School Katie Martinez, Principal 1331 East Calaveras Boulevard Milpitas, CA 95035 Telephone: 408-635-2690

6. Allan F. Daily High School Cuauhtemoc Avila, Principal 220 North Kenwood Street Glendale, CA 91206 Telephone: 818-247-4805

7. Del Oro High School Rae Eckholm, Principal 1963 Tice Valley Boulevard Walnut Creek, CA 94505 Telephone: 925-280-3940

8. Discovery High School Timothy Shironaka, Principal 3401 Fong Ranch Road Sacramento, CA 95834 Telephone: 916-928-5200

9. El Camino Real High School Gordon Chamberlin, Principal 1301 East Orangethorpe Avenue Placentia, CA 92870 Telephone: 714-996-1971

10.Mesquite High School Ingrid Larsen, Principal 140 West Drummond Avenue Ridgecrest, CA 93555 Telephone: 760-446-4561

11. Mountain Lakes High School Bill Gundy, Principal 17752 Shasta Dam Boulevard Shasta Lake, CA 96019 Telephone: 530-275-7000

12. Nueva High School Mike Bhone, Principal 8600 Palm Avenue Lamont, CA 93241 Telephone: 661-845-1532

13. Vail High School Paul Rodriguez, Principal 1230 South Vail Avenue Montebello, CA 96040-6319 Telephone: 323-887-3003

14. Valley Alternative School Priscilla Tam, Principal 14162 East Lomitas Avenue La Puente, CA 91746 Telephone: 626-933-3401

Heidi Van Zant Public Information Officer Natomas Unified School District 916.561.5253