Salvador Gallegos dropped out of high school at age 14 to help support his parents, and it was a few years before he was ready and able to complete his education. Yet on June 14th, he addressed fellow graduates, friends, family and supporters as the student speaker at his graduation from Rancho Cielo Youth Campus. Gallegos attributed much of his success to the mentorship and relationships he experienced there. Obtaining a high school diploma is an essential achievement for him—one that is also a victory for the nonprofit, which has become the campus of choice for Monterey County youth seeking an alternative to a traditional high school in just twenty years.
Rancho Cielo is recognized locally for its career and technical education (CTE). However, what is less known is the nonprofit’s partnership with WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges)-accredited John Muir Charter Schools. The collaboration allows RC students to complete their high school education and earn a high school diploma or the equivalent via the HiSet® (High School Equivalency Test) or GED® (General Education Development) test.
John Muir teachers administer the high school curriculum on-site for RC’s vocational programs in culinary, ag tech/mechatronics, auto and diesel repair, welding and fabrication, and construction, as well as its Silver Star program for youth involved with the juvenile justice system (operated in partnership with the Monterey County Probation Department).
“The ultimate goal is a high school diploma, job training, and certifications that allow young people to go on to post-secondary education, whether that’s community college, university, vocational training, etc., or move directly into the workforce and sustainable, lifelong employment,” said RJ Guess, CEO of John Muir Charter Schools.
“The John Muir Charter School, our educational partner, individualizes education and makes pursuing a high school diploma a reality,” said Rancho Cielo CEO Chris Devers. “Our programs integrate core academic instruction into vocational training to educate young people in a meaningful and relevant way.”
“It’s an excellent model for how youth development programs and schools can partner very well,” added Guess. “Both of those pieces together allow young people to be successful.”
Founded in 1998, John Muir Charter Schools’ teachers are fully credentialed, licensed educators. John Muir also provides paraprofessionals who work under the supervision of the licensed teacher to assist in Rancho Cielo classrooms. John Muir delivers services and academic instruction like any other high school. He supports Rancho Cielo’s vocational training and wraparound services, such as transportation, food/nutrition and case management. RC’s holistic case management model supports its students’ basic needs and academic, personal and professional success.
“We work closely with case managers, who assess and help us decide [if the program] is what the student wants,” explained Gary Vincent, regional director for John Muir Charter Schools at Rancho Cielo. “That helps us guide them onto a good path, which leads to more success.”
Vincent described the Rancho Cielo collaboration as a flagship program for John Muir, serving approximately 30% of California’s charter school’s total student population. Before their current roles, he worked closely with Devers and Joseph DeRuosi, RC’s director of College, Career, and Technical Education, at the Monterey County Office of Education for nearly 20 years.
“Since the three of us have come on to unify the programs, we’re seen as one collective, robust program benefiting students,” said Vincent.
Students receive personalized attention in small classes (capped at 18) on campus. Each student is provided with a laptop they can use during independent study time and take home and a WiFi stick to allow them to continue coursework online if they do not have internet services. Throughout the school year, they rotate between academic instruction and career technical education (one week in the classroom and one week in vocational training).
The time it takes for students to complete their high school education depends on the number of credits they have when they start at RC. The hours spent in CTE count toward elective credits. That training prepares students to enter the workforce and/or enroll in post-secondary education.
Last year, 22 students graduated from the John Muir Charter Schools program at Rancho Cielo. In June, 37 students graduated—a 40+% increase from 2022. The community at Rancho Cielo is growing; more than 200 students—up from 146 previously—are expected to start classes this month. In the beginning, John Muir had two teachers on-site at Rancho Cielo; 15 staff members are expected to support instruction this upcoming year.
Yet, commencement isn’t the end for Rancho Cielo students. Vincent said the John Muir educators and Rancho Cielo instructors, case managers and staff collectively emphasize the ongoing support for graduates—what he calls a “forever family.” They are always welcome.
“We currently have many graduates who have returned to help in some of the programs,” added Vincent. “The concept of giving back to/from what they’ve received is instilled in our students, especially from a community standpoint.”
