About Us
HEARTLAND HIGH SCHOOL
Heartland High School is a 10th-12th grade Continuation Program that serves students within the Selma Unified School District. Heartland provides students who are at least 16 years old with an opportunity to recover credits and earn their high school diploma. The school has an enrollment of 95 students, supported by six subject-specific teachers who focus on helping students complete credit recovery courses. The majority of students—91.4%—are Socioeconomically Disadvantaged, while 15.7% are English Learners. Heartland’s vision and mission emphasize providing every student with an equitable, 21st-century education that prepares them to pursue a college or career pathway upon graduation.
Students at Heartland High attend classes daily from 8:30 AM to 3:15 PM. While the program allows for variable schedules in rare cases, the school strongly encourages students to maintain a full-day schedule to maximize their learning opportunities and graduate early. The majority of students typically remain at Heartland for one semester, with some staying for two semesters. After completing their time at Heartland, students either graduate from the program or return to Selma High School to continue working toward their diploma. In rare cases, students transfer to Selma Adult School. Heartland's primary goal is to help credit-deficient students recover the necessary credits to graduate on time.
Heartland High provides students with access to a-g approved courses, ensuring that they meet the requirements for college admission. In addition, the school’s academic counselor offers guidance to help students transition to post-secondary pathways, including college or career opportunities. To support students’ career readiness, Heartland offers Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses in Public Service, which include specialized training in Wildland Firefighting, Security Guard Certification, EMS Certification, and Crime Scene and Law Enforcement. These courses prepare students for meaningful careers while offering practical, hands-on learning experiences that enhance their skillsets.
The school also provides opportunities for extracurricular engagement, including sports teams that compete against other schools, fostering teamwork and school spirit. Additionally, Heartland offers robust support services for students with special needs, including those in special education, students experiencing homelessness, foster youth, and English Learners. These supports are designed to address the unique challenges these students face, ensuring they have access to the resources needed to succeed academically and personally.
At Heartland High, the focus extends beyond credit recovery to helping students build critical skills for life beyond high school. Students are expected to attain proficiency in core subjects, such as English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies, while developing critical thinking and collaboration skills through daily interactions with peers and teachers. By combining academic rigor, career readiness, and targeted support, Heartland High equips students with the tools they need to graduate and transition successfully to their next steps in life.
SELMA INDEPENDENT
Selma Independent is an Independent Study Program serving Transitional Kindergarten (TK) through 12th grade students within the Selma Unified School District. It is part of the Heartland Alternative Education Center, which operates as the sole alternative school for the district, providing flexible and personalized educational options. With an enrollment of 134 students, Selma Independent supports a diverse population, including 87% of students identified as Socioeconomically Disadvantaged, 16.4% as English Learners, and 1.5% as Foster Youth. The program is designed to meet the needs of students requiring an alternative to the traditional school setting, providing tailored educational opportunities that align with the district’s high academic standards.
The program’s structure emphasizes regular and personalized support for students to ensure their success. Each student is required to attend a weekly one-on-one meeting with their assigned teacher, which provides individualized instruction, progress monitoring, and academic guidance. These meetings are designed to address the specific needs of each student and allow for close collaboration between the teacher and family. Additionally, students must attend a subject-specific hour for every core class they are enrolled in, offering targeted support in areas like math, English, science, and social studies. This dual approach of personalized instruction and subject-specific support ensures that students receive the guidance necessary to master their coursework and stay on track academically.
Students at Selma Independent generally take two classes at a time, completing each within a five-week period. This unique structure enables students to focus on fewer subjects while maintaining the same credit completion rate as their peers at Selma High School. For students who are behind on credits or wish to accelerate their path to graduation, the program offers flexibility. Students can either complete their courses in less than five weeks or take more than two classes simultaneously. This level of adaptability allows the program to serve a wide range of student needs, from those balancing personal responsibilities to those seeking to graduate early.
To further support students, Selma Independent implements a comprehensive tiered intervention system for those struggling with grades, attendance, behavior, or credit completion. This system provides escalating levels of support based on individual needs, including additional one-on-one meetings, small group instruction, academic workshops, and counseling services. These interventions ensure that students receive the help they need to overcome challenges and achieve their academic goals. By fostering a supportive and flexible learning environment, Selma Independent empowers students to succeed while maintaining a focus on personalized education and academic rigor.