{"id":225774,"date":"2026-03-18T20:28:17","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T20:28:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/225774\/"},"modified":"2026-03-18T20:28:17","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T20:28:17","slug":"three-oc-campuses-named-2026-model-continuation-high-schools-and-more-ocde-newsroom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/225774\/","title":{"rendered":"Three OC campuses named 2026 Model Continuation High Schools, and more \u2013 OCDE Newsroom"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/model-school-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-47375\"  \/><\/p>\n<p>Three Orange County campuses \u2014 Back Bay High School, Brea Canyon High School and Gilbert High School \u2014 have been named Model Continuation High Schools, an honor awarded to 59 campuses statewide for their efforts to support students as they work toward earning their diplomas.<\/p>\n<p>In total, 59 schools were selected this year by State Superintendent Tony Thurmond through the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cde.ca.gov\/ta\/sr\/mc\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.cde.ca.gov\/ta\/sr\/mc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Model Continuation High School Recognition Program<\/a> led by the California Department of Education in partnership with the California Continuation Education Association Plus. <\/p>\n<p>The three recognized campuses are part of the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, the Brea Olinda Unified School District and the Anaheim Union High School District.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cToday, we celebrate 59 commendable schools for their tremendous efforts as alternative campuses of learning,\u201d said Superintendent Thurmond. \u201cThe priority of our Model Continuation High Schools is to give students more than a diploma. The teachers and administrators aim to provide students with a student-centered approach that meets their diverse academic, social, and emotional needs and opportunities to explore options beyond high school and prepare students for the future \u2014 whether they choose to pursue further education or join the workforce.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Continuation high schools serve students who may not be able to graduate on time, offering smaller class sizes, flexible schedules and additional academic and counseling support. Across California, more than 428 continuation schools serve nearly 45,000 students.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The recognition program highlights schools that provide comprehensive services for at-promise youth that include individualized instruction, guidance and counseling services designed to help students overcome obstacles and stay on track toward graduation.<\/p>\n<p>Here are the other stories we\u2019ve been following this week: <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/p1110641.jpg\" alt=\"Dr. Stefan Bean speaking on stage\" class=\"wp-image-47380\" style=\"width:350px\"  \/><\/p>\n<p>At the Orange County State of Education Friday, County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean <a href=\"https:\/\/newsroom.ocde.us\/oc-state-of-education-dr-bean-delivers-a-message-of-progress-partnership-and-shared-responsibility\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/newsroom.ocde.us\/oc-state-of-education-dr-bean-delivers-a-message-of-progress-partnership-and-shared-responsibility\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">shared the progress being made<\/a> across local schools while emphasizing the importance of partnerships in supporting students to an audience of nearly 400 education, government and community leaders. <\/p>\n<p>OCDE recently recognized six Orange County School Districts as Innovation Funding Initiative awardees, <a href=\"https:\/\/newsroom.ocde.us\/ocde-announces-six-orange-county-districts-as-innovation-funding-initiative-awardees\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/newsroom.ocde.us\/ocde-announces-six-orange-county-districts-as-innovation-funding-initiative-awardees\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">recognizing forward-thinking efforts<\/a> to strengthen classroom instruction and student opportunities.  <\/p>\n<p>Next month, a team of Fullerton Union High School juniors will <a href=\"https:\/\/newsroom.ocde.us\/fullerton-students-blast-into-national-finals-of-stellarxplorers-space-competition\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/newsroom.ocde.us\/fullerton-students-blast-into-national-finals-of-stellarxplorers-space-competition\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">head to the national finals<\/a> of the StellarXplorers competition in Denver after demonstrating advanced knowledge of space systems and engineering concepts. <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2026-OCMAA-3-2560x1707.jpg\" alt=\"Dan Robbins, 2025 OCMAA Award recipient for secondary instrumental music from Saddleback Valley Unified School District, directs the La Paz Intermediate School string orchestra during a performance of \u201cSpirit of \u201976\u201d at the 2026 OCMAA Awards.\" class=\"wp-image-47353\" style=\"width:350px\"  \/><\/p>\n<p>On March 11, the Orange County Department of Education <a href=\"https:\/\/newsroom.ocde.us\/ocdes-origin-story-dates-back-to-1889\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/newsroom.ocde.us\/ocdes-origin-story-dates-back-to-1889\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">marked 137 years since its formation<\/a> in 1889, when the county first established a centralized office to support local schools and educators.<\/p>\n<p>Golden View Elementary School in Huntington Beach recently invited families to learn about farm animals through the 4-H program and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.spotlightschools.com\/rooted-in-community-golden-view-elementarys-farm-families-and-experiential-learning-programs\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.spotlightschools.com\/rooted-in-community-golden-view-elementarys-farm-families-and-experiential-learning-programs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">view student-grown garden beds<\/a> at the campus\u2019s annual Environmental Showcase.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/d8d5ed453ca9401c89175d67ba0fc648_9a56c7edb060d94254771d3ab87f3d03-2560x1707.webp.webp\" alt=\"Students give a presentation on the ethics of AI at last year's Student and Community Voice AI Summit.\" class=\"wp-image-47318\" style=\"width:350px\"  \/>Students give a presentation on the ethics of AI at last year\u2019s Student and Community Voice AI Summit.<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Student and Community Voice AI Summit \u2014 hosted by the Anaheim Union High School District and presented in partnership with the Orange County Department of Education \u2014 will spotlight students and educators as they <a href=\"https:\/\/newsroom.ocde.us\/students-educators-to-share-real-world-ai-classroom-experiences-at-student-and-community-voice-ai-summit\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/newsroom.ocde.us\/students-educators-to-share-real-world-ai-classroom-experiences-at-student-and-community-voice-ai-summit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">discuss how artificial intelligence is being used<\/a> in classrooms and what it means for the future of learning.<\/p>\n<p>The Huntington Beach Union High School District Auditorium will <a href=\"https:\/\/www.spotlightschools.com\/celebratory-show-to-honor-huntington-beach-high-school-auditoriums-100th-anniversary\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.spotlightschools.com\/celebratory-show-to-honor-huntington-beach-high-school-auditoriums-100th-anniversary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">soon celebrate its 100-year anniversary<\/a> with performances reflecting 10 decades of historical events at the \u201cA Century of Stars and Stories\u201d Showcase on April 18. <\/p>\n<p>Jessica Guerrero, the first and youngest Latina to serve as president of the Anaheim Union High School District Board of Trustees, was <a href=\"https:\/\/news.fullerton.edu\/2026\/03\/alum-serves-as-first-latina-school-board-president-in-anaheim\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/news.fullerton.edu\/2026\/03\/alum-serves-as-first-latina-school-board-president-in-anaheim\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">recently featured by her alma mater<\/a> for her work overseeing public education initiatives and as an adviser for the Orange County Board of Supervisors.<\/p>\n<p>Twenty-two Cal State Fullerton students were among the many journalists covering <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ocregister.com\/2026\/03\/09\/live-from-milan-csuf-sudents-report-from-the-winter-olympics\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.ocregister.com\/2026\/03\/09\/live-from-milan-csuf-sudents-report-from-the-winter-olympics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">breaking Olympics news<\/a> and giving viewers a peek inside Italian culture at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics this past February, as part of a three-week journalism course.<\/p>\n<p>California teachers are brainstorming creative ways to <a href=\"https:\/\/calmatters.org\/education\/k-12-education\/2026\/03\/high-school-civics-california\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/calmatters.org\/education\/k-12-education\/2026\/03\/high-school-civics-california\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">teach civics education lessons<\/a> ahead of the United States\u2019 250th anniversary while navigating shifts in curriculum, according to a report from CalMatters.<\/p>\n<p>According to new data from the Education Law Center, the per-student funding for each young learner in California <a href=\"https:\/\/edsource.org\/2026\/how-california-compares-to-other-states-in-per-student-spending\/752906\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/edsource.org\/2026\/how-california-compares-to-other-states-in-per-student-spending\/752906\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">rose to $19,894<\/a> in the 2022-23 school year \u2014 a 21-spot increase since 2017. This is coupled with an updated 2nd-place ranking for funding distribution throughout all 50 states.<\/p>\n<p>At its recent meeting, the Brea-Olinda Unified School District school board <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ocregister.com\/2026\/03\/06\/brea-olinda-unified-board-declares-trustee-seat-vacant-will-appoint-to-replace-chris-becerra\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.ocregister.com\/2026\/03\/06\/brea-olinda-unified-board-declares-trustee-seat-vacant-will-appoint-to-replace-chris-becerra\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">declared a trustee seat vacant<\/a> following the departure of trustee Chris Becerra and plans to appoint a replacement to fill the position, according to the Orange County Register. <\/p>\n<p>Development <a href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/socal\/daily-pilot\/news\/story\/2026-03-12\/plan-to-build-196-housing-units-on-newport-mesa-unified-land-next-to-preserve-moves-forward\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/socal\/daily-pilot\/news\/story\/2026-03-12\/plan-to-build-196-housing-units-on-newport-mesa-unified-land-next-to-preserve-moves-forward\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">plans for 196 housing units<\/a> on land leased by the Newport-Mesa Unified School District are moving forward, following approvals from local planning authorities. <\/p>\n<p>New data from the Public Policy Institute of California has <a href=\"https:\/\/edsource.org\/updates\/more-california-freshmen-earn-bachelors-degree-within-four-years\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/edsource.org\/updates\/more-california-freshmen-earn-bachelors-degree-within-four-years\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">shown a 10-percent increase<\/a> over the last decade in California students completing their bachelor\u2019s degrees within four years. <\/p>\n<p>This is the part where we encourage you to keep up with local education news stories by bookmarking\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/newsroom.ocde.us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">the OCDE Newsroom<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/visitor.r20.constantcontact.com\/manage\/optin?v=001pfPluQc8rlzHEWJ6Weep4Ae2yxaxqQLsJIDxTGwXP91rT_tcPnRo71zmDIWToUzGoqSwcLaNunoqMJELxMz5bYwoPn55I3HlGJ7gJyIxmifxDgzVMr3Tu4vuOTFFkPITdoe8q20no17JS9UY--2WIvXx5NDqnKEwVw39B1PjnMHyUXWWrvA13g%3D%3D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">subscribing for emailed updates<\/a>\u00a0and following us on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/OrangeCountyDepartmentOfEducation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/OCDeptofEd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">X (formerly Twitter)<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ocdeptofed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Three Orange County campuses \u2014 Back Bay High School, Brea Canyon High School and Gilbert High School \u2014&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":225775,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[163,165,164],"class_list":["post-225774","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-anaheim","tag-anaheim","tag-anaheim-headlines","tag-anaheim-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/225774","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=225774"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/225774\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/225775"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=225774"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=225774"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=225774"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}