A Los Angeles Unified School District campus was among three schools in California that was recognized for its work with students who have previously been expelled, had problems with attendance or behavior, it was announced Wednesday.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond named Aggeler Community Day School in Los Angeles County as a model community day school for 2026. The school was selected as part of a recognition program in partnership between the California Department of Education and the California Continuation Education Association Plus.
“The work happening in our Community Day Schools truly deserves this recognition,” Superintendent Thurmond said in a statement. “The schools we’re honoring today show an incredible commitment to their students and families. By offering flexible learning options, strong mental health supports, and other essential services, they are helping students build the skills and confidence they need to graduate from high school, pursue college or career training, and succeed in the workforce.”
Aggeler Community Day School provides structured essay writing and ethnic studies, as well as advanced mathematics. Students have professional development opportunities guided by texts such as “Rigor by Design” and “Not Chance and Unearthing Joy.”
Students also created murals, which can be seen throughout the campus.
During the three years that schools are designated as a model community day school, the CDE and CCEA Plus will identify them as resources for districts that are planning to establish new community day schools and for new and existing community day schools that would like expert support to expand and deepen their educational practices.
Schools were required to perform a self-evaluation focused on the following categories: school profile, school management, educating “This Whole Child” instruction as well as social, emotional and mental health development, and school evaluation of effectiveness.
Each of the honorees retain their designation for three years and will be recognized at the CCEA Plus 2026 State Conference. Honorees are required to submit to the CDE an annual assurance of conformance to model school guidelines for the second and third years of designation.
In addition to Aggeler, Carr Lake Community Day School in Monterey County and Santa Clara Community Day School in Santa Clara County were selected and recognized as part of the program.