Model School Application 2024 - 2025 (Continuation) - CCEA Plus - California Continuation Education Association Plus

Apply to Become a Model School

We invite all continuation high schools in the state to submit an application to become a “Model School” for 2024-2025, sponsored by the California Department of Education (CDE).

The Model Continuation High School (MCHS) Recognition Program identifies and recognizes outstanding programs and creates a resource list of quality programs for school visitations. These schools provide comprehensive services to at-risk youth through the use of exemplary instructional strategies, flexible scheduling, and guidance and counseling services. The CDE encourages continuation high schools that meet the eligibility criteria to submit an application.

Intent to Submit Deadline: August 30, 2024

Principals who intend to submit an application must complete the MCHS Application “Intent to Submit” Survey online here. The survey will close on Friday, August 30, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. Submission of the survey does not obligate the principal to submit an application.

Intent to Submit Survey

Application Deadline: September 12, 2024

Applications must be submitted to the CDE electronically as a single PDF via the CDE exFiles File Transfer System. (See application for specific instructions.) Applications must be received by no later than 4 p.m. on Thursday, September 12, 2024. The CDE will perform an initial review of applications. This will allow participants to ensure that the single PDF submitted in the exFiles File Transfer System is complete and has been uploaded properly. Corrected applications are due for final submission to the CDE by 4 p.m. on Thursday, September 12, 2024.

Program Contact: Dan Sackheim, Educational Options Office, CDE
Email: CONTINUATIONEDUC@cde.ca.gov
Phone: 916-445-5595

Timeline

April 19, 2024 — Applications available to the field.
June 4, 2024 — Application Webinar.
August 30, 2024 — Intent to Submit Survey to be completed.
September 12, 2024 — Applications due.
September 12, 2024 — Applications corrected per screening due.
October 4, 2024 — Northern Applications reviewed and rated.
October 18, 2024 — Southern Applications reviewed and rated.
October 21, 2024 – December 31, 2024 — Site Validation Visits.
November 30, 2024 — Application fees due (click link to make payment).
December 15, 2024 — District Audit Reports due.
February 2025 — Schools notified.
April 26, 2025 — Awards ceremony (Model Schools Gala).

Please note: it is strongly recommended that all schools process payments online rather than by mail to meet the deadline. You can now pay the Model School Applicant School Review and Evaluation fee online here.

Application Forms | Downloads

Invitation Letter — Letter inviting principals of continuation high schools to apply for the 2024–25 MCHS Recognition Program.
Intent to Submit — Online form will close on Friday, August 30, 2024, at 4 p.m.

Model School Application 2024-2025:

Annual Assurance of Services Forms for Current Model Schools (MCHSs):

2023 MCHSs | PDF Version — added 5/14/23
2022 MCHSs | PDF Version — added 4/5/23
2021 MCHSs | PDF Version — created 3/21/22

Schools selected as MCHSs are required to submit an Annual Assurance of Services Form to the CDE by June 30 for each of the second and third years of designation (see designation periods below). This form certifies that the school meets or exceeds the MCHS Recognition Program standards. Links to Annual Assurance of Services Forms for current MCHSs are provided above. Forms may include either an electronic signature or typed name and must be submitted to Dan Sackheim, Education Programs Consultant, Educational Options Office, by email at CONTINUATIONEDUC@cde.ca.gov.

From CDE, for current Model Schools: As a condition of continuing eligibility for designation by the California Department of Education (CDE) as a Model Continuation High School (MCHS), a completed Annual Assurance of Services Form must be submitted to the CDE by June 30, 2024, for schools selected in 2022 or 2023. On an additional sheet of paper, describe any changes that have occurred in the past year that could affect the status of your school as an MCHS. For example, describe whether the enrollment has increased or decreased. If enrollment has changed, describe how staffing has changed to maintain a low student-teacher ratio. If no changes have occurred, you are welcome to attach a statement describing any future developments related to student engagement and community collaboration. Your completed Annual Assurance of Services Form and any supporting documents (e.g., a description of changes or a “no change” statement), must be submitted by the deadline.

Alternately, you can download the latest application forms at CDE.

Designation Period for Current Model Continuation High Schools

To verify the designation period for current model schools (MCHSs), see below.

Program Year Applied: 2021-22
Designation Began: April 2022
Designation Ends: March 2025
Program Year to Reapply to Avoid Gap Period: 2024-25

Program Year Applied: 2022-23
Designation Began: April 2023
Designation Ends: March 2026
Program Year to Reapply to Avoid Gap Period: 2025-26

Program Year Applied: 2023-24
Designation Began: April 2024
Designation Ends: March 2027
Program Year to Reapply to Avoid Gap Period: 2026-27

To avoid a gap period in your school’s MCHS designation status, current MCHSs would need to submit a new MCHS Recognition Program Application consistent with the “Program Year to Reapply to Avoid Gap Period” shown above.

A list of current MCHSs is available as part of the 2024–25 Model School Application above. You can also see all current Model Schools here.

Webinar Information

Webinar with CDE:

Held on: Tuesday, June 4, 2024, from 10 a.m. – noon. (Pacific Time)
Topic: 2024–25 Model Continuation High School (MCHS) and MCDS Application
Hosted by: CDE

Download the 2024–25 Model School Application Webinar Slides: PowerPoint Format (.pptx) | PDF Format (.pdf)

From CDE: “The webinar held on June 4, 2024, provided an overview of the 2024–25 MCHS and Model Community Day School (MCDS) Application and how to complete and process each application. The webinar also pointed out items that have disqualified applicants in previous years. The slides outline the process and requirements to apply for the 2024-25 Model Continuation High School and Model Community Day School recognition programs.”

Find more program updates and info at CDE.

Invitation Letter

Dear Continuation Education High School Principals:

I invite you to participate in the Model Continuation High School (MCHS) Recognition Program sponsored by the California Department of Education (CDE) in collaboration with the California Continuation Education Association Plus (CCEA Plus).

The MCHS Recognition Program identifies and celebrates outstanding continuation high schools throughout California. The program also recognizes these schools as a resource for local educational agencies and other continuation high schools that may be able to adapt successful approaches and practices of these model schools in their learning communities.

California’s MCHSs provide comprehensive services to students whose needs and strengths can be better met within these specialized settings using exemplary instructional strategies, flexible scheduling, and guidance and counseling services.

The application has been modified and now primarily consists of five narrative statements addressing the following topics:

School Profile
School Management
Educating “This Whole Child” (Instruction)
Educating “This Whole Child” (Social, Emotional, and Mental Health and Development)
School Evaluation of Effectiveness

Principals who intend to submit an application must complete the Intent to Submit form online. Intent to Submit in order to be considered for model school status. The online form will close on Friday, August 30, 2024, at 4 p.m. Submission of the online form does not obligate the principal to submit an application.

The self-nomination application packet is available on the CDE’s MCHS Recognition Program web page and on the CCEA Plus Model School Recognition Program web page. The packet includes instructions for completing the application and required forms, reference materials, and instructions for submitting the application via the CDE exFiles File Transfer System. Applications are due to the CDE by 4 p.m. on Thursday, September 12, 2024.

The CDE will be hosting a webinar on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, for prospective applicants. Any principal interested in applying may participate. The principal may also designate someone else to attend in their place. The webinar will provide information regarding the application and the application process. To sign up for the webinar and receive the required login information, check for scheduling and details on the CDE’s MCHS Recognition Program web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/sr/mc/.

Successful applicants will be identified through an application evaluation and site visit process. Representatives from the CDE and CCEA Plus will honor and present awards to 2024–25 MCHS Recognition Program awardees at the annual CCEA Plus State Conference.

If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact Dan Sackheim, Education Programs Consultant, Educational Options Office, by phone at 916-323-2183 or by email at ContinuationEduc@cde.ca.gov.

Sincerely,

Dr. Erika Torres, Deputy Superintendent
Strategy, Policy and Special Projects Branch

Download letter (PDF) | View letter on CDE website

Last Update: Friday, May 24, 2024

Important Dates to Remember

A webinar will be held in June 4, 2024 for prospective applicants.
The Intent to Submit online form must be submitted by 4 p.m. on Friday, August 30, 2024.
A single PDF of the completed application must be submitted to the CDE via the exFiles Transfer System. Applications must be received by 4 p.m. on Thursday, September 12, 2024.
In accordance with the application screening process, if corrections are made, submit a revised single PDF of the application to the CDE via the exFiles File Transfer System. Corrected applications must be received by 4 p.m. on Thursday, September 12, 2024.

Deadline requirement: Any applications that are not received by the September 12, 2024, deadline will be disqualified. Corrections may only be made to applications that are received by the September 12, 2024, deadline.

Last Reviewed: Tuesday, June 25, 2024