PLEASANT HILL, CALIF. – Black Diamond High School in Pittsburg, California has been named a 2024 California Model Continuation High School (MCHS), State Superintendent of Public instruction Tony Thurmond announced this week. Black Diamond is among 31 schools throughout the state selected for the award. It is the third time the school has received the Model Continuation High School distinction, following its recognition in 2020 and 2017.
“Having received the Model Continuation High School distinction three consecutive times is a tremendous honor for Black Diamond High School and the Pittsburg Unified School District,” Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey said. “All students need a school community that supports, nurtures, and helps teens see what is possible in the future. Students who haven’t found those things at traditional schools have found them at Black Diamond. I want to thank the school’s leadership, dedicated educators, and support staff for setting a stellar example for continuation high schools across Contra Costa County.”
Black Diamond High School was selected as a Model Continuation School based on a comprehensive and competitive application process, incorporating assessments, data analysis, and an onsite evaluation conducted by a peer review panel. According to State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, schools receiving a Model Continuation School status by the California Department of Education are helping students thrive personally and academically and are model schools that give students a chance to not only succeed in high school, but in life.
Model Continuation High Schools like Black Diamond provide support services and innovative instructional approaches to address the needs of their students. With flexible scheduling, guidance and counseling services, these schools offer a pathway to a high school diploma for students who face barriers to traditional education. The 31 schools selected as California Model Continuation High Schools retain their designation for three years and will be recognized at the California Continuation Education Association (CCEA) Plus 2024 State Conference.
The Model Continuation High School Recognition Program is a collaborative partnership between the California Department of Education (CDE) and the 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. For further information on continuation education, please visit the CDE Continuation Education web page.
About Contra Costa County Office of Education
One of 58 counties in California, Contra Costa County (CCCOE) has the 11th largest public-school student population in the state (approximately 169,225 students). Officially established in 1932, CCCOE has a long history of providing direct services to some of our county’s most vulnerable students, including young people who are incarcerated, homeless, or in foster care, as well as students who have severe physical or emotional challenges.
CCCOE also provides support services to schools and school districts in Contra Costa County; services that can be handled most effectively and economically on a regional basis rather than by each of the county’s 286 schools or 18 school districts. These services range from budget approval and fiscal support to technology infrastructure, communication support, and high-level professional development opportunities for educators. CCCOE maintains a website at www.cocoschools.org.
