DOWNEY, CA – Ten high schools in Los Angeles County have been selected by the California Department of Education (CDE) as Model Continuation High Schools (MCHS) for 2023.
The MCHS program is a collaborative partnership between the CDE and the California Continuation Education Association Plus (CCEA Plus) that honors continuation high schools for providing comprehensive services to at-risk youth through instructional strategies, flexible scheduling, guidance, and counseling, and recognizes MCHS educators who support and mentor their peers in other local educational agencies.
“Congratulations to these great schools and dedicated educators for creating meaningful programs that address the academic and personal growth of high-needs students,” said Dr. Debra Duardo, Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools. “These exemplary schools and wonderful teachers give students in need real-world social and emotional learning, mentorship programs, student wellness, and restorative justice practices that help them succeed.”
The Los Angeles County schools named among 37 schools from throughout the state selected as MCHS include:
- Buena Vista High School, Paramount Unified School District
- Coronado High (Continuation), West Covina Unified School District
- Fairvalley High School, Covina-Valley Unified School District
- Fernando R. Ledesma High School, El Monte Union High School District
- Jereann Bowman High School, William S. Hart Union High School District
- Kurt T. Shery High School, Torrance Unified School District
- North Park High School, Baldwin Park Unified School District
- Phoenix Continuation High School, Los Angeles Unified School District
- Santana High School, Rowland Unified School District
- Vail High School, Montebello Unified School District
There are more than 430 continuation high schools that serve close to 78,000 students throughout the state. Continuation schools provide a high school diploma program for students ages 16 through 18 who have not graduated from high school, are required to attend school, and are at risk of not completing their education.
The MCHS were selected based on a comprehensive application process that included submission of detailed narrative statements describing specific aspects of school operations and how these were exemplary and the use of assessment tools and data to support continuous improvement. The process included a peer review panel and on-site visit.
“These model schools provide invaluable resources and academic opportunities to our high-needs students, who often are dealing with difficult life events,” said Tony Thurmond, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. “The efforts of teachers and administrators at our Model Continuation High Schools provide students with the social support, goal-setting, and coping skills that they need to succeed in the academic setting and in their lives outside of high school.”
The 37 schools selected retain their designation for three years and will be recognized at the CCEA Plus 2023 State Conference in San Diego from April 27 to April 30, 2023.
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About The Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE)
The Los Angeles County Office of Education, based in Downey, is the nation’s largest regional education agency, providing a range of services and programs to support the region’s 80 school districts and some two million preschool and school-age children. To learn more about LACOE, visit www.lacoe.edu.
