Gilbert High School, located within the Anaheim Union High School District, has garnered statewide attention after being recognized by Stanford University’s John W. Gardner Center for Youth and Their Communities. The prestigious center highlighted the school’s student-centered approach to alternative education, specifically noting how its emphasis on civic engagement and real-world learning opportunities contributes to student success.
Published on July 22, the Stanford feature specifically recognized Gilbert High for its active involvement in the California Learning Collaborative on Alternative Education. This statewide network serves as a platform, bringing together educators, district leaders, and researchers. Its purpose is to share promising practices and strategies aimed at improving outcomes for students enrolled in continuation schools and other alternative educational settings across California.
The Gardner Center's report specifically spotlights Gilbert Principal Jose Lara, commending his efforts to encourage students toward meaningful, real-world learning experiences. These experiences are designed to build civic responsibility among students while simultaneously developing essential academic and career skills necessary for their future.
A concrete example featured by the Gardner Center involved students who identified a significant transportation challenge within their community. These students found it difficult to catch a municipal bus after school hours, posing an obstacle to their daily routines. Demonstrating proactive civic engagement, the students organized a letter-writing campaign. Their efforts led to a collaboration with the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), resulting in an adjustment to the local bus schedule. This change significantly improved transportation access, benefiting both current and future students at the school.
Beyond specific initiatives, the Gardner Center also drew attention to Gilbert High’s projected graduation rate. The school anticipates an 85 percent graduation rate for the 2025-26 school year. This projection is particularly noteworthy as it approaches California’s statewide average, despite Gilbert High serving a population of students who were previously identified as being at risk of dropping out of school.
Principal Lara emphasized the importance of this external validation, stating, "This recognition from the Gardner Center is incredibly meaningful for the entire Gilbert High School community. It reinforces our belief that when students are supported with empathy and meaningful real-world learning opportunities, they achieve remarkable things."
According to the Gardner Center, the work undertaken at Gilbert High School serves as a clear demonstration of how alternative schools can effectively foster student success. This is achieved through a combination of personalized learning approaches, active civic engagement, and by providing students with direct opportunities to connect their classroom learning with practical, real-world experiences. The insights were first reported by newsroom.ocde.us.
