Sunset High Earns Model Continuation School Honors
![SS School Students gather in a circle. Click here to learn more.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1742846865/dnusdorg/oxwndnsfmv5cwn5hbhul/SSSchoolCircle.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1742846865/dnusdorg/oxwndnsfmv5cwn5hbhul/SSSchoolCircle.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1742846865/dnusdorg/oxwndnsfmv5cwn5hbhul/SSSchoolCircle.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1742846865/dnusdorg/oxwndnsfmv5cwn5hbhul/SSSchoolCircle.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1742846865/dnusdorg/oxwndnsfmv5cwn5hbhul/SSSchoolCircle.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1742846865/dnusdorg/oxwndnsfmv5cwn5hbhul/SSSchoolCircle.jpg","width":2048}])
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Sunset High earns Model school honors and other program awards. Click here to learn more.
Sunset High School’s staff, students and parents are celebrating after the State Superintendent of Public Instruction named the Del Norte facility as a 2025 California Model Continuation School. Sunset is one of just three schools north of Sacramento so
honored.
Principal Tony Fabricius said the Sunset family reacted with a sense of pride and ownership upon hearing the news.
“Many times it takes someone from out of the area, with fresh eyes, to open our eyes to the incredible achievements and innovations happening right here in Del Norte County,” Fabricius said.
To earn the award, Sunset went through an application process, which involves a review of the school’s data, from demographics to academics to graduation rates.
From there a representative from the California Department of Education visited the school, observed programs and operations, and interviewed members of the community in a focus group setting.
Not only did Sunset earn Model School honors, but it was also presented with an Exemplary Program Award for playing host to third and fifth grades on field trips, which the observer said showed “outstanding commitment to students success, whose dedication to providing innovative and impactful educational opportunities truly sets your program apart.”
Also noted was the school’s Future Farmers of America program, the only continuation high school in California with an FFA chapter. The observer wrote that Sunset had more exemplary programs on one campus than he had seen elsewhere.
Sunset is home to approximately 100 students who find themselves better served by the continuation school model, rather than the traditional high school system.
“In the end, this honor is important to our staff, and especially our students,” Fabricius said. “They find themselves at Sunset for any number of reasons, but it is usually after difficult challenges elsewhere. With the programs we have built, we help develop a sense of purpose, pride, connection, leadership, and accomplishment.”