About Our Community Schools

The San Mateo County Office of Education's WASC-accredited Community Schools Program serves students from across the county. Students may be referred to these programs by their resident districts. They can also be referred by the San Mateo County Probation Department, the Human Services Agency, or the County School Attendance Review Board (SARB).

The Community Schools Program is designed for students who can benefit from an alternative school setting. Students are placed in a community school when referred by a local school district for expulsion, by Juvenile Probation, or as a result of a School Attendance Review Board (SARB) hearing. Community Schools may also serve students who are homeless, in foster care, or those referred by their local school district with parent consent. The community schools' program is student-centered and adapted to meet individual needs. The community school and receiving districts are frequently involved in collaborative planning and transition between the programs. Special education services and support are available to all qualified students.

Instructional Program

Students are enrolled in middle school or high school courses and earn credits to support their learning goals. Student learning plans are developed upon enrollment, with the goal of meeting students where they are academically. They also assist them in their progress toward a high school diploma and professional success. The curriculum is aligned to the Common Core Standards using textbooks adopted by the County Board of Education. Also, preparation for the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) is provided for all eligible students. As a WASC-accredited program, students who enter on an "a-g" track may remain eligible to attend a four-year public college. Our program is WASC Accredited through June 30, 2028. 

List of Schools

First Day of School

AUG 15
2022

Labor Day (No School)

SEP 5
2022

Indigenous Peoples' Day (No School)

OCT 10
2022

Veterans Day (No School)

NOV 11
2022

Thanksgiving Break (No School)

NOV 23-25
2022

Winter Break (No School)

DEC 19-30
2022

New Year's Break (No School)

JAN 2
2023

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (No School)

JAN 16
2023

Mid-Winter Break (No School)

FEB 17-24
2023

Spring Break (No School)

APR 3-7
2023

Memorial Day (No School)

MAY 29
2023

Last Day of School

JUN 2
2023

Karen Gnusti

Executive Director, College, Career & Secondary Education

Email: kgnusti@smcoe.org

Phone: (650) 802-5331

Shelly Johnson

Principal, Court & Community Schools

Email: sjohnson@smcoe.org

Phone: (650) 598-2155

Jonas Barbour

Assistant Principal, Court & Community Schools

Email: jbarbour@smcoe.org

Phone: (650) 598-2175

Rachel Mahoney

Administrative Assistant II, Court & Community Schools

Email: rmahoney@smcoe.org

Phone: (650) 598-2156

Fax: (650) 598-2191