Release: #06-25
March 16, 2006

Contact: Pam Slater
E-mail: communications@cde.ca.gov
Phone: 916-319-0818

SACRAMENTO — In keeping with his call to improve academic achievement for all high school students, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today released the names of 18 California schools that have been designated 2006 Model Continuation High Schools.  

"It is my goal to make high school more relevant and rigorous for all students in California so we can better prepare our young people for any path they choose to follow – whether that path leads to college or directly to the work force," O'Connell said. "These 18 schools provide promising practices that other continuation high schools may choose to emulate as they support students with diverse needs in completing their high school education."

A list of the schools is attached.

The California Department of Education's (CDE) Continuation Education program has been an option for students since 1919 for those in need of more flexible school schedules with an emphasis on vocational or career goals. This program is designed to meet the needs of students aged 16 through 18 who have not graduated from high school, are not exempt from compulsory school attendance, and have not found success in the traditional high school.

More than 70,000 California high school students attended 519 continuation high schools in 2004-05.

Schools applying for model school designation must demonstrate elements including program effectiveness, school management, curriculum, instructional strategies, assessment and evaluation, education climate, and guidance and counseling. Parents, students, and community members also submit narrative statements supporting their respective schools. A review team visits finalist schools before recommending them to the State Superintendent for model school status.

The CDE works in partnership with the California Continuation Education Association to identify Model Continuation High Schools. Chosen schools retain their title for five years. The 18 schools named today will join 66 previously designated schools.

For more information on Continuation Education, please visit Continuation Education. For more information about the California Continuation Education Association, please visit California Continuation Education Association [http://www.cceanet.org/] (Outside Source). For more information on O'Connell's education reform efforts, please visit State of Education - Initiatives.

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Attachment

2006 Model Continuation High Schools

1. Jereanne Bowman High School: Robin Geissler, Principal, Jereanne Bowman High School, 21508 Redview Drive, Santa Clarita, CA 91350-2947; Mr. Jaime Castellanos, Superintendent, William S. Hart Union High School District .
2. Dario Cassina High School: David Crocker, Principal, Dario Cassina High School, 251 South Baretta Street, Sonora, CA 95370-5042; Mr. Robert Gaskill, Superintendent, Sonora Union High School District.
3. Century High School: Gail Rose, Principal, Century High School, 20 South Marengo Avenue, Alhambra, CA 91801-1947; Dr. Julie Hadden, Superintendent, Alhambra Unified School District.
4. Del Amigo High School: Carol Adams, Principal, 189 Del Amigo Road, Danville, CA 94526-2315; Robert Kessler, Superintendent, San Ramon Valley Unified School District.
5. Fairvalley High School: Ronald Cytryn, Principal, Fairvalley High School, P.O. Box 269, Covina, CA 91723-0269; Mr. Michael Miller, Superintendent, Covina-Valley Unified School District.
6. Gateway High School: Gabe Escalera, Principal, Gateway High School, 1550 Herndon Avenue, Clovis, CA 93611; Mr. Terry Bradley, Superintendent, Clovis Unified School District.
7. La Vista High School: Ron Gross, Principal, La Vista High School, 909 North State College Boulevard, Fullerton, CA 92831-3031; Mr. George Giokaris, Superintendent, Fullerton Joint Unified School District.
8. Liberty High School: Robert Rivas, Principal, Liberty High School, 660 West Walnut Street, Lodi, CA 95240; Mr. William Huyett, Superintendent, Lodi Unified School District.
9. Monterey High School: Ann Brooks, Principal, Monterey High School, 1915 Monterey Avenue, Burbank, CA 91506; Dr. Gregory Bowman, Superintendent, Burbank Unified High School District.
10. Monument High School: Mark Weisberg, Principal, Monument High School, P.O. Box 1209, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277; Mr. James Majchrzak, Superintendent, Morongo Unified School District.
11. New Horizons High School: Cara Prentiss, Principal, New Horizons High School, 1151 West Wilson Street, Banning, CA 92220; Ms. Kathleen McNamara, Superintendent, Banning Unified School District.
12. Pacific Beach High School: Karen Lopez, Principal, Pacific Beach High School, 11950 Los Osos Valley Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405; Dr. Edward Valentine, Superintendent, San Luis Coastal Unified School District.
13. Peninsula High School: Cheryl LeBeouf, Principal, Peninsula High School, 300   Peidmont Avenue, San Bruno, CA 94066; Mr. Samuel Johnson, Superintendent, San Mateo Union High School District.
14. Redondo Shores High School: Goy Casillas, Principal, Redondo Shores High School, 1000 Del Amo Street, Redondo Beach, CA 90277; Mr. Robert Paulson, Superintendent, Redondo Beach Unified School District.
15. Sequoia High School: Todd Oto, Principal, Sequoia High School, 901 North Mooney Boulevard, Visalia, CA 93291; Mr. Stan Carrizosa, Superintendent, Visalia Unified School District.
16. Sierra High School: Mari Bordona, Principal, Sierra High School, 1134 South Barranca, Glendora, CA 91740; Ms. Cynthia Cervantes-McGuire, Superintendent, Azusa Unified School District.
17. Sierra High School: Jane Loomis, Principal, Sierra High School, 11661 Donner Pass Road, Truckee, CA 96161; Mr. Dennis Williams, Superintendent, Tahoe-Truckee Unified School District.
18. Valley High School: Bryce Custodio, Principal, Valley High School, 6901 York Drive, Dublin, CA 94568; Mr. John Sugiyama, Superintendent, Dublin Unified School District.