About Our Schools
Welcome to Alternative Education at FBUSD
FBUSD Alternative Education includes three schools and one district program, each sharing a commitment to innovative, personalized learning rooted in the Big Picture Learning philosophy.
Big Picture Learning
Noyo High School, Lighthouse Community Day School, and Shelter Cove Community Day School are all Big Picture Learning schools. The mission of FBUSD Big Picture Learning is to engage students in real-world learning and help them design a curriculum around their interests, passions, and talents.
Big Picture Learning is built on three core beliefs: that students learn faster and more deeply when the subject connects to their genuine interests; that connecting with experts outside the classroom better prepares students for life after school; and that strong relationships with multiple caring adults lead to better learning outcomes.
Across all three schools, teachers are known as Advisors, and students stay with the same Advisor throughout their time at the school — building the trust and consistency that makes personalized learning possible.
Shelter Cove Community Day School
Community Day School · Grades 6–8 · Up to 12 students · A Big Picture Learning School
Shelter Cove Community Day School serves up to twelve 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students in the Fort Bragg Unified School District. The mission of Shelter Cove CDS is to deliver exceptional, engaging, equitable, and collaborative learning opportunities for all students. Once viewed as the school for the "bad" students, Shelter Cove CDS has developed into a leader of innovative alternative education. At Shelter Cove CDS we use the Big Picture Learning philosophy of education to support students as they design futures of personal meaning and create and execute the plans to achieve them.
Lighthouse Community Day School
Community Day School · Grades 9–10 · Up to 15 students · A Big Picture Learning School · 2024 CDE Model Community Day School
Lighthouse Community Day School serves up to fifteen 9th and 10th grade students in the Fort Bragg Unified School District. The mission of Lighthouse CDS is to deliver exceptional, engaging, equitable, and collaborative learning opportunities for all students. Once viewed as the school for the "bad" students, Lighthouse CDS has developed into a leader of innovative alternative education, as evidenced by the school being designated a Model Community Day School by the California Department of Education. At Lighthouse CDS we use the Big Picture Learning philosophy of education to support students as they design futures of personal meaning and create and execute the plans to achieve them.
Noyo High School
Continuation High School · Grades 11–12 · Up to 40 students · A Big Picture Learning School
Noyo High School is a continuation high school serving up to forty 11th and 12th grade students in the Fort Bragg Unified School District. The mission of Noyo High is to deliver exceptional, engaging, equitable, and collaborative learning opportunities for all students. Once viewed as the school for the "bad" students, Noyo has developed into a leader of innovative alternative education. At Noyo we use the Big Picture Learning philosophy of education to support students as they design futures of personal meaning and create and execute the plans to achieve them.