Rancho Cielo Youth Campus Programs

Rancho Cielo Youth Campus Programs combine vocational training with high school education. Students can learn electro-mechanical fundamentals and technologies in modern agricultural production, develop automotive knowledge for gas and diesel engine vehicles, and learn basic construction skills such as operating power tools and reading construction plans. The programs also include welding and fabrication, a comprehensive culinary arts curriculum with hands-on work alongside hospitality and culinary industry professionals, and opportunities to experience science education, outdoor recreation, and other enrichment activities.

• Price: services are provided at no cost to students or their families

Rancho Cielo Youth Campus Programs partner with John Muir Charter Schools to offer vocational training and high school education, and students can earn a WASC-accredited high school diploma or equivalent. The campus includes Ag Technology & Mechatronics, Auto & Diesel Repair, Classic Car Restoration, Construction & Sustainable Design Academy, Welding & Fabrication, Drummond Culinary Academy, Silver Star Program, and Youth Corps, where students earn as they learn in a crew-based job readiness program. The Silver Star Youth Program includes cultural enrichment, physical and outdoor activities, individual and group counseling, and vocational programs, and students also have access to individual and group counseling through the broader campus offerings. Drummond Culinary Academy offers Friday Night Dinners during the school year with fresh, seasonal dishes prepared and served by student trainees in a sophisticated setting. Students learn in a safe, supportive environment that affirms them as individuals, builds self-esteem and belonging, and emphasizes hope, inspiration, opportunity, safety, mutual respect, and belonging.

Rancho Cielo invests in young people facing challenges for success through diploma education, vocational training, counseling, and life skills development in a safe and affirming environment. Since its establishment as a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2000, Rancho Cielo has aimed to enrich the lives of all the youth who walk through its gates and has become a training facility of choice in Monterey County. The leadership team includes CEO Chris Devers, founder John Phillips, and the Rancho Cielo Board of Directors. Rancho Cielo partners with AIM Youth Mental Health, and Hope, Horses & Kids is an onsite nonprofit partner. Rancho Cielo is a collaboration among many public and private organizations from the Salinas Valley and across Monterey County that provide academic instruction, healthcare, mental health services, juvenile justice, enrichment opportunities, on-the-job training, and work readiness. Support and contributions come from donors, sponsors, and volunteers, and more than 400 volunteers a year participate through advisory councils, mentorship, and sharing their time and expertise, working alongside students through an extensive volunteer network. Rancho Cielo maintains an 80+% attendance rate through its partnership with John Muir Charter Schools, stands against hate and violence of any kind, aims to understand and address systemic barriers, and provides access to workforce development training to help students earn a living wage and escape poverty.

Last updated July 13, 2026.