Continuation High School Facts

Since 1965, California state law has mandated that most school districts with over 100 enrolled 12th grade students make available a continuation/alternative program or school that provides an alternative route to a high school diploma for “students vulnerable to academic or behavioral failure.” While some California residents may be unaware that continuation high schools exist, they are an extremely important resource for over 115,000 Californian high school students each year. Continuation high schools are a major part of California’s efforts to prevent high school dropout.

Continuation high schools often have smaller class sizes and move at a quicker pace to catch students up that have fallen behind in credits. Olympic High School provides 140 students with a smaller learning environment, diverse curriculum and programs. Students at Olympic High School have individualized educational programs that emphasize a standards-based curriculum, intensive guidance/counseling, and project-based learning.

Why STRIDES at a continuation high school?

High school-aged youth are at high risk for suicide. Students at continuation high schools have multiple risk factors that put them at even higher risk for suicide. For example:

• Continuation school students are almost 2.5 times more likely than students at comprehensive high schools to have changed where they lived two or more times in the last year.
• Continuation school students are almost three times more likely than students at comprehensive high schools to live in foster care or with a relative other than a parent.
• Continuation school students are two to three times more likely than students at comprehensive high schools to report that they have either engaged in or been a victim of violence – such as fighting at school, carrying a gun, being a gang member, or being threatened or physically hurt.
• Continuation school students are five times more likely than students at comprehensive high schools to use methamphetamines and marijuana.
  

Additionally, sports participation is a protective factor against suicide, incorporating the benefits of physical activity and social support on physical and mental health. Most continuation high schools are lacking organized sports teams. STRIDES is providing an opportunity for Olympic High School students to work together to build coping and life skills while participating in a 5k training program.