Improving Attendance in Oakland’s Continuation High Schools
Many students in Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) enter continuing education programs after becoming at risk of dropping out of a traditional high school. Given this fact, Oakland Natives Give Back (ONGB) will be hosting the first ever Alternative Education Select Schools Challenge to promote attendance and academic achievement for students in five OUSD continuation schools: Dewey Academy High School, Street Academy High School, Ralph J. Bunche High School, Rudsdale Continuation High School, and Oakland Community Day School.
Students at each of the five participating schools can register for the attendance challenge, which will take place between January and May of 2017. Students with at least a 95% attendance rate, no more than one excused absence, and no tardies for the duration of the relevant academic month will be eligible for weekly and monthly awards.
At the start of each month, one registered student from one of the participating schools will be awarded $500. Additionally, each week one registered student will be randomly selected to receive one of a range of prizes, including a senior portraits package, two prom tickets, a three month membership to the Oakland YMCA, and a gift card to retailers like Foot Locker and Best Buy. Students at participating high schools are encouraged to register for the February component of the attendance challenge.
ONGB will also facilitate focus groups in each of the participating schools about the causes, effects and solutions to chronic absence and truancy among high school populations.
Demographic information about each of the participating schools can be found below:
Dewey Academy High School
Dewey Academy High School has 240 students. Ninety eight percent of Dewey students are students of color, and 79% qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Street Academy Alternative High School
Street Academy High School has 110 students. Ninety six percent of students are students of color, and 80% qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Ralph J. Bunche High School
Ralph J. Bunche High School has 109 students. One hundred percent of students are students of color, and 78% qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Rudsdale Continuation High School
Rudsdale Continuation High School has 147 students. One hundred percent of students are students of color, and 72% qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Oakland Community Day School
Oakland Community Day School has 25 students. Ninety five of students are students of color, and 80% qualify for free or reduced lunch.
For more information about Oakland Natives Give Back, please visit: www.oaklandnatives.org
