State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Announces 2026 Model Community Day Schools

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced today that three schools have been selected as Model Community Day Schools (MCDSs) for 2026, the third year of implementation. Community day schools are schools for students who have been expelled from school or who have had problems with attendance or behavior. The MCDS Recognition Program is a partnership between the California Department of Education (CDE) and the California Continuation Education Association Plus (CCEA Plus).

“The work happening in our Community Day Schools truly deserves this recognition,” said Superintendent Thurmond. “The schools we’re honoring today show an incredible commitment to their students and families. By offering flexible learning options, strong mental health supports, and other essential services, they are helping students build the skills and confidence they need to graduate from high school, pursue college or career training, and succeed in the workforce.”

During the three years that schools are designated as an MCDS, the CDE and CCEA Plus will identify them as resources for districts that are planning to establish new community day schools and for new and existing community day schools that would like expert support to expand and deepen their educational practices.

Schools were required to perform a self-evaluation focused on the following elements: (1) School Profile; (2) School Management; (3) Educating “This Whole Child” (Instruction); (4) Educating “This Whole Child” (Social, Emotional, and Mental Health and Development); and (5) School Evaluation of Effectiveness.

Each of the honorees retain their designation for three years and will be recognized at the CCEA Plus 2026 State Conference . Honorees are required to submit to the CDE an annual assurance of conformance to model school guidelines for the second and third years of designation. The Annual Assurance of Services Form will be available on the CDE MCDS Recognition Program web page.

The following schools are among the MCDSs that were named for 2026.

Aggeler Community Day School, Los Angeles Unified School District (Los Angeles County)

The school provides structured essay writing and ethnic studies instruction, as well as advanced mathematics instruction, demonstrating high expectations for all learners. Professional development guided by texts such as Rigor by Design, Not Chance and Unearthing Joy reinforces reflective practice and instructional coherence. The student-created murals displayed throughout the campus further reflect the school’s emphasis on healing, expression, and belonging.

Carr Lake Community Day School, Salinas Union High School District (Monterey County)

Parents praise the school for doing an excellent job of bringing cultural relevance and meaningful experiences into students’ learning and school life. A strong emphasis is placed on preserving human dignity, recognizing that while students may have made poor choices, they are still individuals with feelings, experiences, and the capacity to grow. Students remember what adults say to them, and staff understand their responsibility to respond intentionally and compassionately, always being prepared with a plan B when students are triggered.

Santa Clara Community Day School, Santa Clara Unified School District (Santa Clara County)

The school offers exemplary, credit-bearing programs that integrate academics, social and emotional learning (SEL), and real-world relevance. These include rap music created through a partnership with the Hip-Hop Creatrix Program for which students are able to earn English credit for their music, the Fresh Lifelines for Youth program for civics and legal advocacy, Real Talk for health education, and farm-based learning aligned to science standards. These programs are reinforced through strong community partnerships, field trips, and enrichment opportunities that expand learning beyond the classroom. Students also benefit from therapy sessions, SEL lessons, and access to calming spaces, snacks, and individualized supports when needed.

For more information on Community Day Schools, please visit the CDE Community Day Schools web page.

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