Calaveras Hills HS selected as 2024 Model Continuation High School

Calaveras Hills High School (CHHS) was one of only two schools in Santa Clara County – and 31 schools throughout the state – recognized as a 2024 Model Continuation High School by the California Department of Education for providing comprehensive services to at-risk youth through the use of exemplary instructional strategies, flexible scheduling, and guidance and counseling services.

“Calaveras Hills HS is a school that helps students holistically to find their voice and a belief in themselves that they can be successful in school and in life,” said CHHS Principal Carl Stice. “This Model School award reflects CHHS's commitment to continuous improvement.”

Principal Stice credited a new instructional model of Project Based Learning as a CHHS signature practice “that helped lead to this statewide recognition, and I could not be more proud of our staff, our students, and our families. Everyone has to be on board to ensure success for our students, and we have that.”

There are more than 430 continuation high schools serving close to 51,000 students throughout the state. Model Continuation High Schools excel and provide exceptional opportunities for their students to pursue academic and social success.
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“The California Model Schools application process is intensive as the evaluation involves interviews of students, team members, district leaders, parents/caregivers, and community members. The evaluators review evidence of the effectiveness of the signature practice and the school program overall in conjunction with observations and their interviews,” Superintendent Cheryl Jordan said. “The CHHS Team of educators are dynamic and skilled in their work with our learners.  This recognition is a testament to the caliber of Calaveras Hills High School.”

CHHS was identified as a model school that “is committed to redefining alternative education through positive, close-knit relationships and by providing students with a unique and empowering learning experience that equips them for the challenges of the future. The school provides a dynamic and inclusive learning environment that caters to the diverse needs of all students in their care.”

Furthermore, “The school’s emphasis on project-based learning, hands-on projects, real-world application, and collaborative problem-solving helps instill a sense of civic responsibility and social awareness where all students are valued for their unique insight and contributions to society,” state education officials stated.

The Model Continuation High School Recognition Program is a collaborative partnership between the California Department of Education (CDE) and the California Continuation Education Association Plus (CCEA Plus). Schools operate their own exemplary programs, but Model Continuation High School-recognized educators commit to supporting and mentoring their peers in other local educational agencies.

“Congratulations to these outstanding schools for their all-around excellence as alternative centers of learning,” said State Superintendent Tony Thurmond. “Teachers and administrators at our Model Continuation High Schools work to develop relationships with students to create a positive and personalized learning environment and provide them with opportunities to explore options beyond high school, preparing students for the next chapter in their lives.”

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