Announcing our 2025 Model Continuation High Schools

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State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Announces 2025 Model Continuation High Schools

California Department of Education News Release

California Department of Education

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced today that 74 schools throughout the state were recognized as Model Continuation High Schools (MCHS) for 2025. These schools provide comprehensive services to at-risk youth through exemplary instructional strategies, flexible scheduling, and guidance and counseling services. Continuation schools provide a high school diploma program for students who have not graduated from high school, are required to attend school, and are at risk of not completing their education.

“Today, we celebrate 74 commendable schools for their tremendous efforts as alternative campuses of learning,” said Superintendent Thurmond. “The priority of our Model Continuation High Schools is to give students more than a diploma. The teachers and administrators aim to provide students with a student-centered approach that meets their diverse academic, social, and emotional needs and opportunities to explore options beyond high school, preparing students for the future whether they choose to pursue further education or join the workforce.”

Currently, there are 429 continuation high schools that serve close to 49,000 students throughout the state. MCHSs excel and provide exceptional opportunities for their students to pursue academic and social success. For example:

  • Dario Cassina High School, Sonora Union High School District, Tuolumne County — Dario Cassina High School in Sonora exemplifies best practices in alternative education by providing a holistic, student-centered approach that meets the diverse academic, social, and emotional needs of its students. Serving a vulnerable population, the school integrates trauma-informed practices and community school models to create a safe, supportive environment where students feel valued and understood. Staff members are trained in methods such as the Personal Brain Model and Adverse Childhood Experiences framework, equipping them to address challenges with empathy and expertise. The school’s flexible scheduling accommodates individualized learning paths, including dual enrollment, work experience, and partial credit options, ensuring students remain on track to graduate while balancing personal responsibilities.
  • Mount Toro High School, Salinas Union High School District, Monterey County — Mount Toro High School in Salinas and the district have become trendsetters by implementing a strong community-based mentorship program for students on campus. This program has given them strong pride in themselves and their school. Equally impressive is Mount Toro’s dedication to establishing an academic response to literacy and meeting the needs of the English learner population. Last year Mount Toro had a 24 percent increase in English learner progress. What makes this especially amazing is that Mount Toro is in the heart of one of California’s most significant farm-working communities.
  • New Valley High School, Santa Clara Unified School District, Santa Clara County — Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, New Valley High School in Santa Clara prides itself on “educating the whole child” as more than just words. One student stated that this school “makes you care.” Another student remarked, “This school has taught me to say ‘thank you’ more.” These comments illustrate New Valley’s focus on the preparation of each student to be a citizen and not just gain a diploma. New Valley is a place where every student’s needs are promptly met. A pervasive ethic of caring is evident in the smiles of the students on campus. “You can’t be invisible here,” a student said about attending New Valley. The staff has developed a community that is never pushed or forced but is always present and available.
  • San Andreas High School, San Bernardino City Unified School District, San Bernardino County — San Andreas High School in San Bernardino exemplifies excellence as a continuation school, creating transformative opportunities for its students. Guided by the motto “We are small enough to make a big difference,” the school fosters a close-knit community where every student is valued and supported. With an unwavering commitment to student success, San Andreas has implemented innovative programs addressing academic, social-emotional, and career-readiness needs. Flexible scheduling and personalized learning plans empower students to recover credits and graduate on time while preparing for post-secondary pathways. The school’s counseling services and dedicated staff ensure students receive individualized attention, helping them overcome barriers to success.

CDE CCEA Model School Seal (MCHS)The Model Continuation High School Recognition Program is a collaborative partnership between the California Department of Education (CDE) and the California Continuation Education Association Plus (CCEA Plus). Schools operate their own exemplary programs, but Model Continuation High School–recognized educators commit to supporting and mentoring their peers in other local educational agencies.

The 74 schools selected as Model Continuation High Schools retain their designation for three years. They will be recognized at the CCEA Plus 2025 State Conference. For more information on continuation education, please visit the CDE Continuation Education web page.

2025 Model Continuation High Schools

  1. Contra Costa County, Antioch Unified School District — Bidwell High School
  2. Contra Costa County, Mount Diablo Unified School District — Olympic High School
  3. Contra Costa County, San Ramon Valley Unified School District — Del Amigo High
  4. Contra Costa County, West Contra Costa School District — Sylvester Greenwood Academy
  5. Del Norte County, Del Norte County Unified School District — Sunset High School
  6. Fresno County, Fowler Unified School District — Fowler Academy
  7. Fresno County, Parlier Unified School District — San Joaquin Valley High School
  8. Fresno County, Sanger Unified School District — Kings River High School
  9. Imperial County, Central Union High School District — Desert Oasis High School
  10. Kern County, Kern High School District — Nueva High School
  11. Kern County, Kern High School District — Vista West High School
  12. Kern County, Wasco Union High School District — Wasco Independence High School
  13. Los Angeles County, Bellflower Unified School District — Somerset High School
  14. Los Angeles County, Centinela Valley Union High School District — R.K. Lloyde High School
  15. Los Angeles County, Charter Oak Unified School District — Arrow High School
  16. Los Angeles County, Downey Unified School District — Columbus High School
  17. Los Angeles County, El Rancho Unified School District — Ruben Salazar High School
  18. Los Angeles County, Glendale Unified School District —  Allan F. Daily High School
  19. Los Angeles County, Glendora Unified School District — Whitcomb High School
  20. Los Angeles County, Hacienda La Puente Unified School District — Valley Alternative High School
  21. Los Angeles County, Los Angeles Unified School District — Boyle Heights High School
  22. Los Angeles County, Los Angeles Unified School District — Jack London High School
  23. Los Angeles County, Los Angeles Unified School District — Harris Newmark High School
  24. Los Angeles County, Los Angeles Unified School District — Owensmouth High School
  25. Los Angeles County, Los Angeles Unified School District — Walt Whitman High School
  26. Los Angeles County, Los Angeles Unified School District — John R. Wooden High School
  27. Los Angeles County, Los Angeles Unified School District — Zane Grey High School
  28. Los Angeles County, Montebello Unified School District — Vail High School
  29. Los Angeles County, Pasadena Unified School District — Rose City High School
  30. Los Angeles County, Pomona Unified School District — Park West High School
  31. Mendocino County, Fort Bragg Unified School District — Noyo High School
  32. Monterey County, Salinas Union High School District — Mount Toro High School
  33. Orange County, Fullerton Joint Union High School District — La Vista High School
  34. Orange County, Garden Grove Unified School District — Marie L. Hare High School
  35. Orange County, Huntington Beach Union High School District — Valley Vista High School
  36. Orange County, Placentia Yorba Linda Unified School District — El Camino Real High School
  37. Orange County, Saddleback Valley Unified School District — Silverado High School
  38. Orange County, Santa Ana Unified School District — Lorin Griset Academy
  39. Placer County, Roseville Joint Union High School District — Adelante High School
  40. Riverside County, Corona-Norco Unified School District — Orange Grove High School
  41. Riverside County, Jurupa Unified School District — Nueva Vista High School
  42. Riverside County, Riverside Unified School District — Abraham Lincoln High School
  43. Riverside County, San Jacinto Unified School District — Mountain View High School
  44. Riverside County, Temecula Valley Unified School District — Rancho Vista High School
  45. Sacramento County, Elk Grove Unified School District — Calvine High School
  46. Sacramento County, Galt Joint Union High School — Estrellita High School
  47. San Bernardino County, Chaffey Joint Union High School District — Valley View High School
  48. San Bernardino County, Colton Joint Unified School District — Slover Mountain High School
  49. San Bernardino County, Hesperia Unified School District — Mojave High School
  50. San Bernardino County, Rialto Unified School District — John H. Milor High School
  51. San Bernardino County, San Bernardino City Unified School District — San Andreas High School
  52. San Bernardino County, Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District — Green Valley High School
  53. San Diego County, Fallbrook Union High School District — Ivy High School
  54. San Diego County, Oceanside Unified School District — Surfside High School
  55. San Joaquin County, Lincoln Unified School District — Village Oaks High School
  56. San Joaquin County, Linden Unified School District — PRIDE High School
  57. San Joaquin County, Manteca Unified School District — Calla High School
  58. San Joaquin County, Manteca Unified School District — New Vision High School
  59. San Joaquin County, Ripon Unified School District — Harvest High School
  60. San Luis Obispo County, Atascadero Unified School District — Paloma Creek High School
  61. San Luis Obispo County, San Luis Coastal Unified School District — Pacific Beach High School
  62. Santa Barbara County, Lompoc Unified School District — Maple High School
  63. Santa Clara County, Mountain View Los Altos Union High School District — Alta Vista High School
  64. Santa Clara County, Santa Clara Unified School District — New Valley High School
  65. Solano County, Benicia Unified School District — Liberty High School
  66. Solano County, Travis Unified School District — Travis Education Center
  67. Stanislaus County, Patterson Joint Unified School District — Del Puerto High School
  68. Sutter County, Yuba City Unified School District — Albert Powell High School
  69. Tulare County, Visalia Unified School District — Sequoia High School
  70. Tulare County, Woodlake Unified School District — Bravo Lake High School
  71. Tuolumne County, Sonora Union High School District — Dario Cassina High School
  72. Ventura County, Conejo Valley Unified School District — Conejo Valley High School
  73. Ventura County, Simi Valley Unified School District — Apollo High School
  74. Ventura County, Ventura Unified School District — Pacific High School

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 2025, you must submit your intent during late summer 2025 to begin the application process.  For more details, click here. The new application will be posted some time in the late spring / early summer, along with the deadlines.

Learn More

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

  Release: #25-11 — CDE press release (direct link)
Last updated: February 20, 2025

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