State recognizes local high schools as models for others

State education officials this week named two local continuation high schools as models in alternative education for effectively meeting the needs of non-traditional students.

Daily High School in Glendale and Monterey High School in Burbank were among the 25 campuses named to the 2012 Model Continuation High Schools list.

“Our teachers and staff work hard every day to provide a second change to students because we all know that a quality education in critical in today’s world and essential in tomorrow’s world,” Daily Principal Chris Coulter said in a statement Tuesday.

Continuation high schools are tailored for students ages 16 or older who have fallen behind schedule for graduation. Many of the students have extraordinary financial or familial responsibilities that make it difficult for them to succeed in a traditional school setting.

“Every student comes to school with a different set of needs, and our job is to provide them with the best chance to succeed,” Tom Torlakson, state superintendent of public instruction, said in a statement Monday. “That’s why it’s so important to provide students who are having trouble staying in school with great continuation high schools.”

There were more than 69,000 students enrolled in 504 continuation high schools in California during the 2010-11 school year, according to the California Department of Education.

Model continuation schools retain their designation for three years and then must reapply.

-- Megan O’Neil, Times Community News

Twitter: @megankoneil

Photo: Seniors Jamie Waldron, 18, left, and Sarah Saad, 18, from Daily High School in Glendale share a light moment as the pick up trash on Kenwood Street Wednesday, May 6, 2009. Credit: Times Community News