Apply to Become a Model School
We invite all community day schools in the state to submit an application to become a “Model School” for 2025-2026, sponsored by the California Department of Education (CDE).
The Model Community Day School (MCDS) Recognition Program will identify and recognize outstanding community day schools and will create a resource list of exemplary programs for school visitations and mentoring. The MCDS Recognition Program is sponsored by the California Department of Education (CDE) in collaboration with the California Continuation Education Association Plus.
Community day schools serve and support high-risk youths, including those referred by expulsion, probation, a School Attendance Review Board or other district level referral process. They provide challenging academic curriculum and develop pro-social skills and resiliency. The CDE encourages community day schools to submit an application to the MCDS Recognition Program.
Quick links: Timeline | Application Forms | Designation Period | Webinar Info | Invitation Letter | Pay Applicant Fee
Intent to Submit Deadline: Friday, May 30, 2025
Principals who intend to submit an application must complete the MCDS Application “Intent to Submit” Survey online here. The survey will close on Friday, May 30, 2025, at 4 p.m. Submission of the survey does not obligate the principal to submit an application.
Intent to Submit SurveyApplication Deadline: July 16, 2025
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 Wednesday, July 16, 2025.
Program Contact: Educational Options Office, CDE
Email: CommunityDayScl@cde.ca.gov
Phone: 916-323-2183
Timeline
April 3, 2025 — Applications available to the field.
April 9, 2025 — Application Webinar (#1).
May 22, 2025 — Application Webinar (#2).
May 30, 2025 — Intent to Submit Survey to be completed.
July 16, 2025 — Applications due.
October 4, 2025 — Applications reviewed and rated.
October 6, 2025 – December 22, 2025 — Site Validation Visits.
October 31, 2025 — Application fees due (click link to make payment).
December 15, 2025 — District Audit Reports due.
February 2026 — Schools notified.
April 2026 — 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 community day schools to apply for the 2025–26 MCDS Recognition Program.
Intent to Submit — Online form will close on Friday, May 30, 2025, at 4 p.m.
Model School Application 2025-2026:
MCDS Recognition Program Application 2025-2026 | Overview and Instructions to complete and submit the application | PDF Version | Word DocAttachment A – Application Cover Sheet | PDF Version — either an electronic signature or typed name will be accepted.
Attachment B – School Information Sheet | PDF Version
Attachment C – Certification Form | PDF Version — either an electronic signature or typed name will be accepted.
Attachment D – Glossary | PDF Version
Annual Assurance of Services Forms for Current Model Schools (MCDSs):
2024 MCDSs | PDF Version — added 2/4/25Schools selected as MCDSs agree to submit an Annual Assurance of Services Form by June 30 for each of the second and third years of designation. The Annual Assurance of Services Form certifies that the school meets or exceeds the MCDS Recognition Program standards as described in the 2025–26 application. If the applicant school is selected as an MCDS in 2026, you may obtain a copy of the form from the CDE MCDS Recognition Program web page and retain it for your records. Complete the form and submit it to the CDE. A reminder email will be sent to principals and district superintendents in mid-April 2027 and 2028. The Annual Assurance of Services Form should include electronic signatures or typed names. Submission instructions are provided on the form.
Alternately, you can download the latest application forms at CDE.
Designation Period
Model Schools retain their award status for three years. The first MCDS awardees were selected in 2023 and announced in 2024. To avoid a gap period in your school’s MCDS designation status, new MCDSs would need to submit a new application in late summer / early spring 2026 for the 2027-2028 program year.
Webinar Information
Second webinar with CDE:
When: Thursday, May 22, 2025, from 1:30–3:30 p.m. (Pacific Time)
Topic: 2025–26 MCDS and Model Continuation High School (MCHS) Application
Hosted by: CDE
Register in advance for the webinar: 2025–26 MCDS and MCHS Application Webinar (click the link to register). After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
First webinar with CDE:
Held on: April 9, 2025
Topic: 2025–26 Model Continuation High School (MCHS) and MCDS Application
Hosted by: CDE
Download the 2025–26 Model School Application Webinar Slides: PowerPoint Format (.pptx) | PDF Format (.pdf)
From CDE: “The webinar held on April 9, 2025, provided an overview of the 2025–26 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 2025-26 Model Continuation High School and Model Community Day School recognition programs.”
Find more program updates and info at CDE.Invitation Letter
Dear Community Day School Principals and District Superintendents:
I invite you to participate in the Model Community Day School (MCDS) Recognition Program sponsored by the California Department of Education (CDE) in collaboration with the California Continuation Education Association Plus (CCEA Plus).
The MCDS Recognition Program identifies and recognizes outstanding programs. In addition to celebrating excellence, a major goal of this program is to create and maintain a resource of exemplary programs for school visitations and other forms of peer mentoring to support other community day schools to adapt successful approaches and practices of these model schools in their communities.
California’s MCDSs provide comprehensive services to students whose needs and strengths can be better met within these specialized settings using exemplary asset-based positive instructional strategies and social, emotional, and mental health and guidance and support services.
The application 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 in order to be considered for model school status. The online form will close on Friday, May 30, 2025, 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 MCDS 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 and instructions for submitting the application via the CDE exFiles File Transfer System. Applications are due on Wednesday, July 16, 2025.
The CDE will be hosting a webinar on April 9, 2025, 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 MCDS Recognition Program web page.
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 2025–26 MCDS 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 CommunityDaySch@cde.ca.gov.
Sincerely,
Richard Barrera, Senior Policy Advisor
Superintendent’s Initiatives Office
Important Dates to Remember
- An application webinar will be held on April 9, 2025 for prospective applicants, with a second webinar scheduled on May 22, 2025.
- The Intent to Submit online form must be submitted by 4 p.m. on Friday, May 30, 2025.
- 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 Wednesday, July 16, 2025.
Please see the invitation letter above from Richard Barrera, Senior Policy Advisor, for further details. 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 CommunityDaySch@cde.ca.gov.
Deadline requirement: Any applications that are not received by the July 16, 2025, deadline will be disqualified.
Last updated: May 13, 2025