Juvenile Court Schools

Juvenile court schools provide public education for individuals who are incarcerated in facilities run by counties. These schools are located in juvenile halls, homes, ranches, and camps. They are also located in day centers and regional youth educational centers.

Youths who are under the authority of the juvenile court system must attend school. They also must take all educational tests required by the state. These schools offer these students a course of study that leads to a high school diploma.

Most students from ages sixteen to eighteen who are released by a juvenile court must continue their public education. Students who are released by a court are often provided with services that help them transfer and adjust to a regular public school.

The California Department of Education helps county offices of education meet funding, program, and facility requirements for these schools.

For more information about juvenile court schools, contact your county office of education.
The Juvenile Court Schools - CalEdFacts page provides more detailed information about juvenile court schools.
The links and information below were developed for educators and others who are directly involved with juvenile court schools.

Program Information

These schools, under the protection or authority of the juvenile court system, provide an educational program that meets the needs of students who have been incarcerated in juvenile halls or placed in group homes, ranches, camps, day centers, or regional youth facilities, as well as students who have been expelled from their home district schools because of a status offense or other infraction or behavior governed by the Welfare and Institution Code or California Education Code (EC). County boards of education administer and operate the Juvenile Court Schools authorized by EC sections 48645-48645.6. A minimum school day for Juvenile Court Schools is 240 minutes (EC Section 48645.3). Funding is provided by the state General Fund and is included in the annual apportionment to county offices of education.

Program Summary
Information on program purpose, services, outcomes, funding, students served, and results.
Juvenile Court Schools E-mail List
To receive information about the establishment and operation of juvenile court schools by e-mail, send an e-mail message to join-juvenile-court-schools@mlist.cde.ca.gov.
Juvenile Court Schools - CalEdFacts
Part of California Department of Education's information and media guide about education in the State of California. For similar information on other topics, visit the full CalEdFacts.

Accountability

The Alternative Schools Accountability Model (ASAM) provides accountability for educational options schools serving very high-risk, highly mobile students. These schools include juvenile court, Division of Juvenile Justice, community day, continuation, county community, opportunity, and other alternative schools that meet stringent criteria set by the State Board of Education.

Resources

Educational Options Best Practices (Outside Source)
Best practices in Court, Community, Community Day Schools, Continuation Schools, Independent Study, and other alternative education programs throughout California.
- Curriculum, Instruction, and Education Technology
- Student Support, Retention, and Transition
- Leadership and Staff Development
- Assessment, Evaluation, and Data Management
Juvenile Court, Community, and Alternative School Administrators of California
(Outside Source)
Resources for Educational Options Programs and schools

Contact Information

Educational Options, Student Support, and American Indian Education Office
Brian Uslan, Education Programs Consultant
916-323-2562
buslan@cde.ca.gov

Questions: Brian Uslan | buslan@cde.ca.gov | 916-323-2562

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