SACRAMENTO – Three schools from the Tulare and Fresno county areas are being honored by the The Model Community Day School (MCDS) Recognition Program for outstanding contributions to the youth they serve.
Out of the nine schools selected for 2025, five are representing Tulare and Fresno County. In Tulare County, Creekside Community Day School from Visalia Unified School District and Woodlake Community Day School from Woodlake Unified School District were both selected.
“Creekside stands out for its personalized approach to education, robust support systems, and commitment to addressing the academic, social, and emotional needs of its diverse student population,” said the California Department of Education in a press release.
Woodlake Community Day School also received a special highlight for its specialization in hands-on learning, behavioral regulation and ensuring academic readiness. Over in Fresno County, the schools that were honored are the elementary and secondary Clovis Community Day Schools, as well as the Phoenix Elementary Academy Community Day School.
The MCDS Recognition Program recognizes community day schools that serve at-risk youths who have been expelled or placed on probation, and creates resource lists to arrange school visitations and mentoring. The program is sponsored and funded by the CDE.
The schools recognized will be honored in person at the California Continuation Education Association (CCEA) Plus Conference in San Diego April 24-27.
To be selected for the MCDS Recognition Program, schools receive letter invitations to apply, then must submit a form locking in their intention to apply. After submitting various forms that give details on the school’s curriculum and resources, the recognition program makes its decisions.
The other 4 schools that will be recognized include: Jewel City Community Day School, Glendale Unified School District; Woodruff Academy School, Downey Unified School District; Yosemite School Community Day (7–12), Manteca Unified School District, and; Redding Achieve Community Day School, Redding Elementary School District
