Alternative Education at Rancho Cotate
Alternative Education houses one high school and an alternative program, El camino and Phoenix, and two programs, Independent Study and Home/Hospital Instruction, each with a different purpose and each designed to offer a viable alternative to the traditional high school setting.
Alternative Education is committed to providing high-quality education to our student body. We achieve our goals through a challenging curriculum, quality teachers and an atmosphere that emphasizes communication and cooperation. Together, these elements create a safe and engaging learning environment in which all students can excel.
El Camino
Phoenix
Independent Study & Home/Hospital Instruction
El Camino High School
El Camino High School is a small alternative high school designed to help students engage with their education to find their way to success.
We promote student success through care, commitment, and individualized support.
The primary purpose of El Camino High School is to provide at-risk students the opportunity to succeed academically and earn a high school diploma. The program will provide a supportive environment with a specialized curriculum, instruction, and guidance to overcome barriers to learning. Our continuation high school's small size helps to create a close relationship between students and educators, providing a dual emphasis on academic instruction and personal guidance. This enables students to more effectively reconnect with their learning, complete their graduation requirements, and leave our school with a high school diploma and a plan for post-secondary educational or vocational opportunities.
For more information on El Camino High School, Visit our school website!
Phoenix Program
This small, supportive academic setting is designed to help students succeed in high school and prepare for college and career. Our mission is to create a unique and supportive educational environment through a cohort-based model that fosters collaboration and connection. We uphold clear behavioral expectations to ensure a safe and respectful space for all. As a trauma-informed learning community, we are dedicated to understanding and addressing the diverse needs of our students, empowering them to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Phoenix has served as an alternative education program in the Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District for over 30 years and is located on the Rancho Cotate campus. Students benefit from a close-knit school community while enjoying access to all the curricular and extracurricular opportunities of a comprehensive high school.
Program Highlights:
- Dedicated school administrator and counseling support
- Access to electives such as Spanish, visual/performing arts, computer technology, and CTE
- Opportunities to take advanced and honors-level courses at RCHS
- Participation in RCHS athletics, assemblies, rallies, dances, and other events
- Daily “Personal Power” homeroom to foster healthy choices and goal-setting
- Core academics (English, Math, Science, History) are taught in a project-based, integrated model.
- Students who meet graduation requirements will receive a Rancho Cotate High School diploma and participate in its graduation ceremony.
To confirm your interest and set up an intake meeting, please email annamaria_young@crpusd.org or call 707-792-4750 ext. 22111. You may also email to request an orientation or decline the placement.
More Information Coming Soon
Home/Hospital Instruction (HHI)
The Home and Hospital Instruction Program (California Education Code Section 48206.3) serves students who incur a temporary disability, which makes attendance in the regular day classes or alternative education program impossible or inadvisable.
"Temporary disability" means a physical, mental, or emotional disability which prevents the student from being able to temporarily participate in regular day classes or an alternative education program. After which, a student can reasonably be expected to return to regular day classes or an alternative educational program without special interventions.
Our district is able to serve students who need to remain at home due to a temporary but extended illness or disability.
The district in which the home, hospital or residential health facility is located is responsible for instructing and educating pupils in need of HHI. If a student lives outside of the district boundaries or is in a hospital or residential treatment facility, the district of that residence is responsible for providing HHI.
The goal of HHI is to maintain the pupil's former level of performance while recovering.
Requesting Home and Hospital Instruction
- A note from a physician is required. It must be on the physician’s letterhead and include the following:
- Specific Start Date
- Specific Diagnosis
- Recommendation of HHI
- Specific End Date
- Physician’s Signature
- A request for HHI must be for a minimum of three weeks and a maximum of six months.
- If a student is able to return to school prior to the end date, a new note from the physician is needed, releasing the student to return to school. It should include any accommodations if warranted.
- If a student needs an extension, a new note from the physician is needed prior to the end date.
- HHI does not carry over from one school year to the next.
- The physician’s note needs to be turned in to a student’s school of record.
- A team will meet to determine the most appropriate placement for the student. A physician’s note does not guarantee that HHI services will be provided.
- If a student has an IEP, an amendment to the IEP needs to be completed indicating the change in instruction.
- The family will be notified of a decision within 5 business days.
- While a student is waiting for HHI services, the family should be requesting and picking up work from the school of record to preserve the continuity of learning.
Resources & Forms
Contact for I.S./HHI Program Coordinator
Lori Krist
707-285-3212
Office located @ 5860 Labath Ave, Rohnert Park, CA. 94928
Building 13, Room 3