State Schools Chief Jack O’Connell recognized Alta Vista High School as a Model Continuation High School Feb. 25, marking the third consecutive year the school has received the honor.

Alta Vista is designed to offer an alternative for students whose needs have not been met in the traditional high school setting. The school’s goal is for students to respond positively to a personalized approach and individualized learning contract.

Alta Vista Principal Bill Pierce attributed the recognition to the staff’s dedication, pointing out that all school staff specifically interviewed to work for the alternative program.

“Everyone who is here wants to be here,” Pierce said. “They are all extremely passionate about working with alternative students.”

The Model Continuation High School Recognition Program, a partnership of the California Department of Education and the California Continuation Education Association, identifies and recognizes outstanding programs and creates a resource list of quality programs for school visitations. To be eligible for recognition, applicants must be accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and demonstrate exemplary program effectiveness, school management, curriculum, instructional strategies, assessment and evaluation, education climate and guidance and counseling. As part of the application for recognition, parents, students and community members submitted narrative statements supporting their respective schools. Fifteen schools applied for the recognition. A review team visited the schools and recommended 14 for model school status.

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