California Department of Education Recognizes Yosemite Day, New Vision, & Calla High Schools as 2025 Model Schools

Manteca Unified is proud to announce that New Vision High School, Calla High School, and Yosemite Community Day School have been recognized by the California Department of Education for their outstanding commitment to alternative education.

New Vision and Calla High Schools have been named Model Continuation High Schools (MCHS) for 2025, a distinction awarded to only 74 of the 429 continuation high schools in California. Yosemite Community Day School has been named a Model Community Day School (MCDS) for 2025, one of just nine schools statewide to earn this recognition.

Continuation and community day schools serve students facing unique challenges, offering flexible scheduling, individualized instruction, and comprehensive support services to help students succeed academically and socially.

A Culture of Support and Success

“At New Vision, we’ve created a school culture where students feel connected and seen,” shared Principal Lemuel Vergara. “When students feel validated, they are free to grow. We are truly proud to be named a Model Continuation High School, but we are even prouder of the school community we’ve built and continue to nurture—together.”

Calla High School Principal Michele Bryson echoed this sentiment: “This recognition is a beautiful reminder that Calla’s personalized approach to education—along with our amazing, dedicated staff—is truly making a difference. Every student deserves a learning journey that’s as unique as they are, and this award is proof that when we lead with heart, incredible things happen!”

At Yosemite Community Day School, the focus is on skill-building and personalized support to help students stabilize attendance and behavior, preparing them for success upon returning to a comprehensive school. Clara Schmiedt, Executive Director of Secondary Education, praised Yosemite’s dedicated staff: “I have seen firsthand the hard work they put in to make students successful, and it is truly inspiring.”

Yosemite Community Day Principal Brian Keeney proudly shared, "Our staff are highly qualified and trained to support students in making the necessary changes to their behavior and attendance that will allow them to be successful when they return to their comprehensive school sites. We continue to explore the use of Restorative Practices to benefit our students on their path to success."

These three schools will be officially recognized at the California Continuation Education Association Plus 2025 State Conference later this year.

Congratulations to New Vision, Calla, and Yosemite Community Day School on this well-deserved honor! You make us #ProudtobeMUSD!