At the high school level, CDA gives admission preference to those who are closest to graduation. Upon entry to CDA, students review the expectations of the school and sign a contract that they will meet those expectations. Students are allowed three absences per quarter. If they exceed that number they must have a doctor's note or a paper showing they were required to appear in court that day. Parent notes are not accepted.
Lateness counts as an absence for the day.
If the allowed number of absences is exceeded, students are dismissed from the program. Students are allowed to bankroll the absences from quarter to quarter. CDA stresses the three Rs of respect, responsibility, and resiliency. The staff models the behavior they expect from students. For instance, the school does not use substitute teachers.