Announcing our 2019 Model Schools

CCEA Model Continuation High Schools

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Announces Model Continuation High Schools for 2019

California Department of Education News Release

California Department of Education

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced today that 31 schools were newly designated as Model Continuation High Schools for 2019. These schools are recognized for their innovative approach to instruction and helping students who have faced many challenges—including behavior issues, chronic absenteeism, and truancy—get back on the pathway to learning.

“These schools have created exemplary programs and strategies that provide students with a second chance at academic success,” said Thurmond. “The commitment demonstrated by the teachers and administrative staff, combined with a culture of caring that focuses on the emotional and education needs of the unique populations they serve, are what make these continuation high schools the best examples of how to help kids strive and reach their full potential.”

All the schools honored offer strategic and specialized programs. For example:

  • Columbus High School in Downey has created a successful collaboration between staff and students where students receive targeted support and individualized instruction to overcome academic challenges. The school has increased its attendance rate from 75 percent to between 85–90 percent over the past three years.
  • John J. Cairns Continuation High School in Lindsay uses personalized learning plans and learning projects that focus on the academic and behavioral growth of its students. The school did not have any dropouts during the 2017–2018 school year, which is unprecedented for a continuation high school.
  • Maple High School in Lompoc has an expansive Career Technical Education program that introduces students to various career options after high school. The school has also established a relationship with a local college, where students have the opportunity to take college-level courses and get a jump start on their higher education.

Continuation schools provide a high school diploma program for students ages sixteen through eighteen who have not graduated from high school, are required to attend school, and are at risk of not completing their education.

The schools were selected based on a comprehensive and competitive application process that involved effectiveness, assessments, and use of data. The process included a peer review panel and on-site visit.

CDE CCEA Model School Seal (MCHS)The Model Continuation High Schools Recognition Program is a joint project of the California Department of Education (CDE) and the California Continuation Education Association (CCEA). The program honors continuation high schools for the comprehensive services they provide at-risk youth through instructional strategies, flexible scheduling, guidance, and counseling.

More than 51,000 students attended the state’s 435 continuation high schools during the 2017–18 school year.

The 31 schools selected as Model Continuation High Schools retain their designation for three years and will be recognized at the 2019 CCEA State Conference in Santa Clara on April 26–28. For more information, please visit the CDE Continuation Education web page or the CCEA website.


2019 Model Continuation High Schools

  1. Alta Vista High School, 1325 Bryant Avenue, Mountain View, CA 94040-4527 : Bill Pierce, Principal — Phone: 650-691-2433
  2. Brea Canyon High School, 689 North Wildcat Way, Brea, CA 92821-7400 : Eric Barrientos, Principal — Phone: 714-990-7882
  3. Calaveras Hills High School, 1331 East Calaveras Boulevard, Milpitas, CA 95035-5707 : Carl Stice,
    Principal — Phone: 408-635-2690
  4. Columbus High School, 12330 Woodruff Avenue, Downey, CA 90241-5610 : Anthony Zegarra,
    Principal — Phone: 562-904-3552
  5. Conejo Valley High School, 1400 East Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362-2198 : Martin Manzer,
    Principal — Phone: 805-498-6646
  6. Dr. John H. Milor Continuation High School, 266 West Randall, Rialto, CA 92376-6926 : Andres Luna,
    Principal — Phone: 909-820-7785
  7. El Camino High School, 14625 Keese Drive, Whittier, CA 90604-3119 : Ryan Cummins, Director — Phone: 562-
    210-2700
  8. Hare (Marie L.) High School, 12012 Magnolia Street, Garden Grove, CA 92841-1644 : Stephanie
    Heflin, Principal — Phone: 714-663-6508
  9. John J. Cairns Continuation High School, 290 North Harvard Avenue, Lindsay, CA 93247-2304 : Dennis Doane, Principal — Phone: 559-562-5913
  10. Kings Canyon High School, 10026 South Crawford Avenue, Dinuba, CA 93618-9208 : Ron Pack,
    Principal — Phone: 559-305-7393
  11. Kings River High School, 1801 Seventh Street, Sanger, CA 93657-2895 : Rick Church, Principal — Phone:
    559-524-6490
  12. La Paloma High School, 400 Ghiggeri Way, Brentwood, CA 94513-5314 : Chris Holland, Principal — Phone: 925-634-2888
  13. Lee V. Pollard High School, 185 Magnolia Avenue, Corona, CA 92879-3329 : Michael Ridgway,
    Principal — Phone: 951-736-3367
  14. Lovell High School, 12724 Avenue 392, Cutler, CA 93615-9769 : Robert Gonzales, Principal — Phone: 559-
    528-4703
  15. Maple High School, 4010 Jupiter Avenue, Lompoc, CA 93436-1819 : Katherine Wallace, Principal — Phone: 805-742-3150
  16. Mount Toro High School, 10 Sherwood Place, Salinas, CA 93906-4010 : Gloria Chaidez, Principal — Phone: 831-796-7700
  17. Nueva Vista Continuation High School, 6836 34th Street, Jurupa Valley, CA 92509-1301 : Michael
    Rogers, Principal — Phone: 951-360-2802
  18. Pacific Career & Technology High School, 6560 Melrose Drive, North Highlands, CA 95660-4375 : Darryl Hawthrone, Principal — Phone: 916-566-2715
  19. Pacific High School, 501 College Drive, Ventura, CA 93003-3413 : Deidre Monarres, Principal — Phone: 805-
    289-7950
  20. Paloma Creek High School, 10801 El Camino Real, Atascadero, CA 93422-8867 : Chris Balogh,
    Principal — Phone: 805-462-4350
  21. R. K. Lloyde High School, 4951 Marine Avenue, Lawndale, CA 90260-1251 : Ben Wardrop,
    Principal — Phone: 310-263-3264
  22. Patricia Dreizler Continuation High School, 1000 Del Amo Street, Redondo Beach, CA 90277-3034 : Anthony Bridi, Principal — Phone: 310-798-8690
  23. Renaissance Continuation High School, 11 Spring Valley Road, La Selva Beach, CA 95076-9638 : Dana Richards, Principal — Phone: 831-728-6344
  24. Ruben Salazar High School, 9115 Balfour Street, Pico Rivera, CA 90660-3225 : Gabriel Gonzalez,
    Principal — Phone: 562-801-7680
  25. Serra High School, 31422 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-2600 : Meg Ervais,
    Principal — Phone: 949-489-7216
  26. Sierra Vista High School, 8470 Avenue 406, Dinuba, CA 93618-1825 : Suzanne Rodriguez,
    Principal — Phone: 559-595-7240
  27. Somerset High School, 9242 East Laurel Street, Bellflower, CA 90706-7607 : Mark Kailiponi,
    Principal — Phone: 562-804-6548
  28. Tierra Del Sol Continuation High School, 3700 East Belle Terrace, Bakersfield, CA 93307-6832 : Chris Dutton, Principal — Phone: 661-832-3700
  29. Tracy (Wilbur) High School, 12222 Cuesta Drive, Cerritos, CA 90703-2801 : Ricardo Brown,
    Principal — Phone: 562-229-7760
  30. Valley Alternative Schools, 15430 Shadybend Drive, Hacienda Heights, CA 91745-2121 : Joaquin
    Martinez, Principal — Phone: 626-933-3401
  31. Vista Continuation High School, 200 P Street, Bakersfield, CA 93304-3051 : Tracey Lozano,
    Principal — Phone: 661-327-8561

Looking to Apply?

The “Intent to Submit” form for prospective Model Schools is usually due in the summer each year. So, to become a Model School for 2020, you must submit Summer 2019 to begin the application process.  For more details, click here. The new application will be posted some time in the late spring/summer, along with the deadlines.

Learn More


Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5602, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100

Release: #19-16 — CDE press release (direct link)
Date: February 13, 2019

Contact: Cynthia Butler
E-mail: communications (at) cde.ca.gov
Phone: 916-319-0818