In the Spring of 2012, the Alameda Unified School District Board of Trustees approved an Innovative Program proposal to implement a middle school program of choice as part of Encinal High School, serving students in grades six through eight, known as Junior Jets.  The original plan was for Junior Jets to be an extension of Encinal High School; however, Junior Jets would subsequently apply for a separate CDS code in order to qualify for Title I funding.

Junior Jets at Encinal opened in the fall of 2013 with an enrollment of 180.  The enrollment for 2014-2015 is 222 students, and the projected growth in year three is approximately 300 students.  (123 Junior Jets are currently taking classes with students at the high school).

The administration of Encinal High School oversees both Junior Jets and Encinal High School. The schools function as one school with one mission and one vision.  Staff meetings are inclusive of both schools.  The faculty and staff work as one with some teachers working in both programs. Junior Jets and Encinal High School are funded as one school.

At this time, the staff and community have recommended that the two schools merge into one school, with one CDS code, resulting in a seamless transition between the two programs.  This action will lift a huge burden of administering two schools off the administration.  This burden includes, but is not limited to,  budget development, School Loop, two websites, attendance tracking, master scheduling, safety plans, staffing, two SPSAs, and two SARCs.  The current educational program at the two schools will not be affected by this action. Advantages of creating one CDS code include ease of staffing across grade levels, a sense of belonging to the whole campus for middle school students, a sense of responsibility towards younger students for high school students and an acknowledgment of one school for all students and staff. 

This proposal includes an adjustment in the name for the newly formed school that represents a consolidation of two programs but maintains the historical name of Encinal.  Therefore, the naming procedures outlined in Board Policy 7310 were not required.  The proposed name of the new school is Encinal Junior/Senior High School.  This merge of two programs necessitates a new CDS code due to the inclusion of grade 6.  According to California Department of Education guidelines, the school can no longer hold the name of only “High School.” 

Staff will present an overview of the current program and the need for this merge of two schools.