Original Research by School Decision on Central High (continuation)
Central High (Continuation) is an alternative high school serving grades ten through twelve in Morgan Hill, a South Silicon Valley city south of San Jose in Santa Clara County. The school enrolls a small student body, concentrated heavily in grade twelve. The composition is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial share of students from low-income backgrounds qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch.
This is a continuation school, which means it serves students who have not succeeded in or do not fit the traditional high school pathway. The 2024-25 state assessment data shows proficiency rates far below what county districts typically report. In English language arts, the proficiency rate is in the low teens; in mathematics and science, it falls to single digits. These are not unexpected results for a continuation program; students who enroll in such schools often arrive with significant academic gaps and face barriers to traditional instruction. The low proficiency numbers reflect the population served rather than a lack of educational intent. Parents considering this pathway should understand that continuation schools operate under different expectations and timelines than comprehensive high schools.
The school does not report a graduation rate, which is common for alternative or continuation settings where completion looks different than a four-year pathway. State testing data on chronic absenteeism and other operational metrics were not available in the data provided, so a parent may want to speak directly with the school about how it supports attendance and engagement.
Central High is a non-charter public school. It sits within Morgan Hill Unified, a district currently navigating significant budget pressures. The district has issued layoff notices and cut millions from its 2024-25 budget as one-time COVID relief funds have depleted, creating a structural deficit. Additional reductions are projected ahead. A facilities bond was defeated in a 2020 referendum, leaving school repairs unfunded across all district schools. In May 2025, the board declined to place another bond on the November ballot, opting to build community support first; a bond and parcel tax are now being prepared for the November 2026 ballot, a potential future property-tax change families should be aware of.
Morgan Hill itself is a mixed residential-agricultural city with a walkable downtown core and extensive parks. The local economy centers on advanced manufacturing, bioscience, and retail. Housing costs in the area are high, with home values well above the state benchmark and rental prices absorbing a large share of household income. The city is in active growth, with multiple residential and mixed-use projects in the pipeline and downtown densification underway.
A student or family looking at Central High (Continuation) is making a choice rooted in the student's prior school experience and current needs rather than academic standing relative to peers. The school serves students who have struggled elsewhere. Its very low proficiency numbers mark a reality that the population entering continuation school faces substantial academic challenges; the school's job is to re-engage them and move them toward completion on a different timeline. Direct conversation with school staff about how they support credit recovery, re-engagement strategies, and post-secondary pathways is the most useful next step for a family considering enrollment.
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