Terry Poole has played in the NFL. He knows the roar of a crowd, the pressure of the huddle, the grind it takes to compete at the highest level. But when Poole talks about the moments that stay with him, he doesn’t start with stadium lights. He talks about a student wobbling down a path on a bike for the first time, then riding it at full speed, smiling from ear to ear.
Those moments capture what matters most to Poole now.
Under his leadership, Rancho Cielo’s After School Program is built around moments like these: small victories that spark confidence, belonging and momentum. The comprehensive, student-centered program is designed to meet young people exactly where they are and help them move forward with purpose. Students receive individualized tutoring and credit recovery; college-and career-readiness support; recreational and enrichment activities; opportunities for social connection; a hearty afternoon snack; and care for their mental and emotional well-being. Every element works together to create stability, growth and hope.
In fall 2024, Rancho Cielo’s first-ever After School Program launched, a significant milestone rooted deeply in our mission. The goal was clear: provide a safe, supportive space beyond the school day where students could succeed academically, explore their interests and imagine a brighter future.
The setting matters. Situated on Rancho Cielo’s peaceful 100-acre campus, the After School Program offers students something many have never experienced before: calm. Students can focus on learning, personal growth and building positive relationships.
“We’ve seen students make real breakthroughs,” Poole says. “When they first come to campus, many are shy and standoffish, not wanting to talk to many people. They join the After School Program to earn or catch up on credits, and through that process, they not only get caught up but sometimes even graduate sooner than they would have otherwise.”
In 2025, the program expanded significantly, shaped by student interests and emerging opportunities. New offerings now include introductory 3D printing, a college course through Rancho Cielo’s dual-enrollment partnership with Hartnell College, personal finance education, a student-led campus podcast, bicycle skills and maintenance and equine-assisted learning and horsemanship through our onsite nonprofit partner, Hope, Horses & Kids. Students enrolled in the Student Success Seminar are also broadening their college pathways, gaining early exposure to higher education and new possibilities.
For construction student Ruben Hernandez, the expansion opened a door he had been waiting for. Curious about 3D printing and inspired by what he’d seen online, he jumped at the opportunity to learn from Jeff Hoefer (pictured above with Ruben), a member of the Apple Industrial Design team behind products like the first iPhone and Apple Watch.
“I didn’t really know much about it,” Hernandez admits. “I heard about it on TikTok—how people can design keychains and anything else they want to make. It really got my attention, so I wanted to try it out.”
Try it out, he did, and then some. Hernandez’s 3D-printed race car earned him a class award and, more importantly, confidence. What started as curiosity turned into capability.
“I feel welcomed and appreciated,” he says. “There’s so much about it I don’t know yet. You can make iPhone cases, action figures and household products.”
That sense of possibility is precisely the point.
Looking ahead to 2026, Rancho Cielo’s After School Program is poised to grow even further. The campus will participate in the AIM Ideas Lab, a Youth Participatory Action Research initiative that elevates youth voices in mental health research. Through the AIM Ideas Lab, students will identify challenges affecting their communities, advocate for solutions, collaborate with peers from other schools, and create meaningful impact through student-led service learning. It’s another way Rancho Cielo ensures young people aren’t just supported but heard.
