Dear CCEA Plus Members and Alt. Ed. Heroes,

We hope your new year and the Spring semester are off to a great start! As we embark on another year of serving our students, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for your unwavering commitment to the at-promise youth in our schools. Your dedication, resilience, and passion continue to transform lives, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive.

We’re also excited to invite you to the 2025 CCEA Plus Annual Conference—an event designed to inspire, connect, and equip you with new strategies and best practices. This year’s conference will feature dynamic speakers, insightful workshops, and invaluable networking opportunities with fellow educators dedicated to continuation and alternative education. Also join us as we celebrate the Model School Awards Gala on the historic USS Midway.

Take advantage of early bird discounts and special hotel rates, available for a limited time! Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in yourself and your students while enjoying an unforgettable experience. Visit the CCEA Plus website to register and find more information.

With appreciation,

CCEA Plus Board

Broadway High School is dedicated to providing a comprehensive support system that ensures every student has the resources they need to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. Theri rigorous curriculum and high academic expectations challenge students to reach their fullest potential while fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. In addition to this academic rigor, they offer a range of wrap-around services to support students' emotional and social well-being in their Wellness Center. These services include partnerships with Gardner Health Center, HAARTS Caminar, Santa Clara County Office of Education Mental Health Specialist, Almaden Counselling Services, MIRI Counseling, and Substance Use Treatment Services Agency, for mental health support. Broadway also actively collaborate with the City of San Jose’s Clean Slate initiative to help students overcome legal barriers as well as the city’s Safe Schools to ensure a safe, inclusive environment. Together with their wellness center, full-time counselors, and dedicated staff, these services provide the holistic support necessary to help students navigate challenges and thrive both in and out of the classroom.

Broadway High School's next steps to enhance college and career readiness focused on creating a comprehensive support system that ensures all students have access to post-secondary education options. This includes expanding dual-enrollment programs, and career and technical education (CTE) pathways that cater to diverse student interests and goals. Broadway has begun strengthening its partnerships with local colleges and union-based organizations that can provide hands-on career exploration opportunities. Additionally, Broadway High School will enhance its college counseling services, offering workshops on the application process, scholarships, and financial aid to help students navigate the complexities of applying to post-secondary schools.

A Consistent Message of Hope

A consistent message for students in continuation high school should be clear and encouraging: "We are here to help you, and we’ll never give up on you, but you can’t give up on yourself." This message emphasizes that the school community is committed to supporting students throughout their journey, no matter what challenges they face. It’s important for students to recognize that their own efforts and determination are key to their success. With a strong partnership between students, parents, and educators, success is achievable. The focus should always be on resilience, growth, and the belief that every student has the potential to succeed if they keep pushing forward.

Students in alternative schools need to be built through recognition and support one step at a time. They need to be recognized the incredible strength, resilience, and determination they demonstrate every day. They face challenges that are double those of other students, balancing not only your schoolwork but also managing life’s complexities. They are the pillar in many cases for their parents, siblings, and continue to push forward, often doing so with far more responsibilities than most can imagine.

It takes a level of dedication and perseverance that is truly inspiring, and every accomplishment, no matter how small, deserves recognition. Whether it’s finishing an assignment, working long hours to support their family, or simply showing up every day despite the obstacles in their path, these efforts are worth celebrating. Their resilience in the face of adversity shows their incredible strength and their hunger to succeed. Everyday we make a huge difference for these students even if we don’t realize it.

Jesus Radillo

Principal of Broadway High School

Annually, since its inception in 2020, approximately twenty Walt Whitman Continuation High School (WWCHS) scholars have participated in the Good City Mentors Program. This mentorship program provides our scholars with the necessary resources, support, and guidance to overcome obstacles and achieve their academic and personal goals. Through personalized mentorship with mentors from Netflix, Sony, Legends, Disney and Google, our scholars have participated in weekly leadership development, personal growth and skill-building activities that help empower them to chart their own paths towards success. The mentorship sessions also equip WWCHS scholars with the tools and confidence needed to thrive in both their academic pursuits and future endeavors. During their Spring Break, WWCHS mentees will travel to New York to meet with mentor, Delfin Ortiz Managing Director of Legends at the One World Observatory. This invaluable opportunity and experience will illustrate first-hand the support that mentors provide and will boost the insight that our scholars will gain through the experience. While there is no cost to this program from the school site, the return on investment in our WWCHS scholars cannot be quantified. Because of the Good City Mentors program, scholars have graduated to see success in college and career with one former mentee now employed by the Los Angeles School District as a Community Representative at WWCHS.