SAN DIEGO - Two San Diego County high schools were named Model Continuation High Schools, the California Department of Education announced today.

Selected for the honor by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell were Alta Vista High School in Vista and San Diego's Garfield High School, according to the CDE.

"Model continuation high schools ensure that students with diverse needs succeed in school and are supported in seeking better job opportunities or college," O'Connell said.

The state's Continuation Education program is designed to meet the needs of 16-to-18-year-olds who have not graduated from high school, are not exempt from compulsory school attendance and are deemed at risk of not completing their schooling.

More than 68,000 California high school students attended 522 continuation high schools last year.

Schools applying for the model school designation must demonstrate program effectiveness, school management, curriculum, instructional strategies, assessment and evaluation, education climate, guidance and counseling.

Parents, students and community members also submit narrative statements supporting their respective schools. A review team then visits finalist schools before recommending them to O'Connell for model school status.

Chosen schools retain their title for five years.