Somerset High – A Model School Strives to Retain the Same Distinction

BELLFLOWER — Somerset High School has a long history of being recognized by the Department of Education as a Model School since 1996, got the same distinction in 2002 and hopes to retain its excellence in the coming year. The Model School recognition is given to outstanding schools in terms of performance every five years by the Department of Education in the State of California.

The State’s long term goal is to bring all of its 525 continuation high schools to the level of Model Schools. So far it has only recognized 84. The continuation high schools have a present population of 70,000 students.

Patrick Dixon, Principal, Somerset High School, submitted an application to the California Continuation Education Association (CCEA), to be recognized, once again, as a Model School in the year 2007.

California Continuation Education Association (CCEA) Field Experts Dennis Fisher and Deidre Ransome are impressed by Somerset High’s restructured curriculum, well-run education program and all-out support from BUSD educators, board members and staff.

CCEA officials recently visited SHS to evaluate and validate its programs and curriculum. They likewise conducted interviews with SHS faculty members and BUSD officers and board members, and some students and parents. Results of the evaluation will be announced on February 2007. Henceforth, the prestigious recognition of Model Schools will be done every three years instead of the usual five.

Recently Somerset High has introduced its latest program, the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) Wheel of Success. The program includes refresher lessons on the basic skills necessary to adequately complete high school level work and intensive instruction on skills needed to pass the Mathematics and English portions for every student who has not passed the California High School Exit Exam. At SHS an orientation class for new students is given as a means of making the transition and adjustment period into the continuation high school less stressful with a more positive outlook.

Dennis Fisher, CCEA Field Expert explains, “Every year we revise the written application and make it more rigorous, and every year we are concerned that schools will be intimidated, and every year we are proven wrong because the quality of the applications and the quality of schools keeps going up, up and up.”

“The options and resources that are there to kids who made some mistakes early on in their career come to SHS and able to learn all the things they need to learn with all the pieces SHS offer: the counseling and study support and they are able (to) come back to comprehensive high school and they continue to grow,” comments Tracy Rutkoski, BUSD Director of Curriculum Instruction, on SHS being a model school.

Continuation high schools have been in operation in the state since 1919 as a mandated alternative for students who need a more flexible time and a program different from that of the traditional high school. CCEA supports a program of instruction for continuation high schools that has emphasis on occupational orientation or a work-study schedule, intensive guidance services to meet students’ special needs, and a program that will lead to completion with a diploma.

CCEA’s mission is to advocate for the betterment of continuation education and to promote the development of quality schools for students, to support and provide professional development for the improvement of instruction that leads to student achievement of high standards, completion of a high school diploma, effective preparation for work, positive community involvement, and a foundation for life-long learning.

The staffing ratio at Somerset High School is 1:25 and the maximum teaching load for each teacher is for125 students. The school has 12.5 regular education teachers, one resource specialist for special education support, one principal, one counselor and two guidance technicians. For more information about SHS call (562) 804-6548 or visit them at 9242 E. Laurel Street in Bellflower.