MIT Relocation
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Mount Olive Innovation & Technology (MIT) Relocation
When is the effective date of the move?
Effective August 2026, Mount Olive Innovation & Technology (MIT) will relocate to the Duarte High School (DHS) campus.
Why does MIT need to move?
Due to the planned Crestfield Development at the Andres Duarte/MIT site, all programs must vacate the property by Summer 2026. As a result, the District is required to relocate the MIT program to an appropriate alternative location.
Why is this move necessary?
Because the current MIT site will no longer be available after Summer 2026, the District must ensure MIT continues to operate in a safe, accessible, and fiscally responsible location that supports students and staff.
Will MIT continue to operate as a separate school?
Yes. MIT will remain a separate school with its own administration, office, and dedicated staff. While it will be located on the DHS campus, MIT will continue to function independently and maintain its unique program identity.
Will this move impact DHS programs or displace DHS classes?
No. There is sufficient space at Duarte High School to accommodate MIT without negatively impacting DHS programs.
DHS previously served approximately 1,200 students and currently enrolls just over 670 students. MIT typically serves 40–70 students, which can be accommodated within existing campus capacity. There are currently multiple unused classrooms on campus, along with dedicated student support spaces.
Will MIT and DHS students share classrooms or interact throughout the day?
MIT and DHS will operate on separate bell schedules and academic programs, which significantly limits student interaction during the school day. There is no expectation that students will share classrooms.
Some shared use of common spaces may occur, such as:
- Counseling or mental health support spaces
- Nurse’s office access
- Cafeteria or assembly spaces, as needed
MIT students do not participate in traditional physical education classes. Their athletic teams compete in the Alternative School Sports League and already use DHS facilities for select games. Practices occur during the school day and will be carefully coordinated to avoid conflicts. Adequate space is available to support this coordination.
Will MIT's educational quality and program fidelity be maintained?
Yes. The District is committed to maintaining the full integrity and fidelity of the MIT program. This includes:
- Small class sizes
- Personalized instruction
- Credit recovery and acceleration opportunities
- Restorative practices
- Mental health and counseling supports
The relocation is designed to preserve what makes MIT successful while ensuring continuity for students and staff.
What happened to the original relocation plan?
An earlier proposal considered building a stand-alone campus on the southwest field. The estimated cost was approximately $9 million (or nearly $180,000 per student) and would have required significant additional infrastructure for utilities and access. After careful examination of design, cost, and long-term operational impact, the District determined this option was financially impractical and not fiscally responsible.
What other spaces were considered?
The District evaluated multiple options, including Building 100 at DHS and The Falcon’s Nest. Building 100 was selected as the most cost-effective and logistically appropriate option, offering safe access, adequate space, and alignment with program needs.
Are there other high schools that share campus space with alternative or continuation schools?
Yes. Co-location models are common across California. Examples include:
- Fullerton High School / La Vista High School
- Fremont High School / John C. Fremont Continuation
- Modesto High School / Elliott Alternative Education Center
- Oxnard High School / Oxnard Middle College High School
- Santa Ana High School / Santa Ana Alternative Education
These models demonstrate that shared campuses can successfully support multiple programs while preserving each school’s identity.
What are the construction or site improvement needs?
Several site improvements will be completed to support the relocation, including:
- Classroom build-outs
- Updated signage
- Landscaping enhancements
- Casework and cabinetry
- Restroom adjustments
- Additional parking
All improvements are designed to ensure safety, accessibility, and program readiness.
How many students will the new space accommodate?
The space is designed to serve approximately:
- 40–50 students during the first three months of the school year
- 60–70 students by the second semester, as enrollment increases
Best practice for alternative education emphasizes smaller class sizes to support individualized instruction and student success.
What about parking for staff?
The relocation plan includes five additional staff parking spaces. In addition, an existing parking lot on campus is currently underutilized and will help accommodate staff needs.
Will staffing change?
No, the district has no plans to change MIT staffing as a result of the relocation. The move is a change in location only.
What about the Falcon Resource Center and Community Schools Initiative?
Funding for the Falcon Resource Center has ended. This change is not related to the MIT relocation, and the center was already scheduled to close regardless of this move.
What is the difference between an alternative school, a continuation school, and a community school?
- Alternative High School
A non-traditional high school model offering smaller classes, flexible scheduling, personalized instruction, and multiple learning pathways. MIT is an alternative high school serving grades 9–12. - Continuation School
A program defined in California Education Code that focuses primarily on credit recovery and graduation completion, typically serving older students who are behind in credits. - Community School
A school model that integrates academics with health, mental health, and social services through community partnerships. Community schools can be traditional or alternative programs.
In short:
- Alternative school: a different way to do high school
- Continuation program: a focused pathway to graduation
- Community school: a school plus wraparound supports
What is the fiscal impact of this move on DUSD?
The fiscal impact is currently being evaluated, and cost estimates are in development. The District will share additional information as the analysis is completed.
MIT Transition & CIF Athletics Participation
This FAQ section is intended to provide information and updates regarding the Mount Olive Innovation and Technology (MIT) High School transition and questions related to potential CIF athletic participation through Duarte High School (DHS). This page will continue to be updated as additional information becomes available.
Transition Team
What is the MIT Transition Team?
The MIT Transition Team is a collaborative planning group made up of staff, administrators, parents, students, and other stakeholders working together to support a smooth transition for the 2026–27 school year.
What is the purpose of the Transition Team?
The purpose of the team is to discuss planning, logistics, student support, communication, and opportunities related to the transition of MIT to the DHS campus while maintaining MIT’s unique school identity and academic program.
How is feedback being gathered?
The District is gathering feedback through surveys, meetings, public comments, direct conversations with students and families, and ongoing engagement with members from both school communities.
CIF Athletics Participation
What is being considered regarding athletics?
The Board of Education is considering a resolution that would allow MIT students to participate in CIF athletics through Duarte High School beginning in the 2026–27 school year. Other local districts have allowed students from alternative schools to participate on their CIF high school teams.
Would MIT and DHS remain separate schools?
Yes. MIT and DHS would continue to operate as separate schools with distinct academic programs, staff, schedules, and school identities.
Are MIT students considered outside students?
No. MIT students are Duarte Unified School District students. They are not transferring into the District for athletic purposes.
Why would MIT students participate in athletics through Duarte High School?
MIT does not operate CIF athletic teams. Duarte High School serves as the District’s comprehensive high school and existing CIF member school.
Have MIT and DHS students participated in activities together in the past?
Yes. MIT and DHS students have participated together in a variety of activities and programs, including prom, band, Esports, and other student activities and events.
Would all CIF rules still apply?
Yes. All CIF eligibility rules, academic requirements, transfer rules, residency requirements, athletic codes, and participation guidelines would continue to apply to all student athletes.
What academic requirements would students need to meet to participate?
Students would still need to meet all CIF academic eligibility requirements, including maintaining a minimum 2.0 GPA during the previous grading period.
How do MIT and DHS graduation requirements compare?
The State of California minimum graduation requirement is 130 credits. Most students at MIT are required to earn 180 credits to graduate, while students at Duarte High School are required to earn 220 credits to graduate.
Regardless of graduation credit requirements, all students participating in CIF athletics would still be required to meet CIF academic eligibility standards, including maintaining a minimum 2.0 GPA.
How many students may participate in athletics?
Approximately 10 MIT students have participated in athletics at Duarte High School during the past year. Nearly all of those students currently plan to return to DHS to participate in athletics during the 2026–27 school year.
If approved, this agreement would allow eligible MIT students to try out for teams and begin participating in practices in alignment with CIF rules, district procedures, and team expectations.
Would MIT students automatically make teams?
No. Participation opportunities would not guarantee placement on a team. Students would still be required to try out and meet team expectations established by coaches and athletic programs.
Would participation impact current DHS student athletes?
The intent of this proposal is to expand opportunities for students while maintaining strong and positive athletic experiences for current DHS student athletes. Participation by MIT students would not change the existing DHS athletic program, and all students would continue to follow established team expectations, tryout processes, and CIF eligibility requirements.
How would student eligibility and accountability be monitored?
All participating students would continue to follow CIF eligibility requirements, district expectations, academic monitoring procedures, team rules, and behavioral expectations established by coaches and school administration.
Why is the District considering this opportunity?
The District recognizes that athletics can provide students with important opportunities for connection, belonging, teamwork, leadership, and school engagement.
Why is this also considered an access and equity issue?
The District believes students should continue to have access to school connection and extracurricular opportunities while receiving academic support through an alternative education setting.
How can I provide feedback?
Interested parties are encouraged to complete the District survey and participate in ongoing engagement opportunities. Feedback from students, families, staff, coaches, and community members will help inform the process.
Survey link: https://forms.gle/aVWDDXRdCnwBSus59