News
The Staff and Students of Rancho Cielo are constantly learning, participating in the community at large, and making a difference.
Click here to find out what Rancho Cielo events are coming up soon.
A Winning Combination: Rancho Cielo’s Direct Services and Enrichment Programs Support Equity and Positive Student Outcomes
By Tiffany Harbrecht
There are 15 hives literally humming in Rancho Cielo’s apiary. Beekeeping is just one of seven enrichment opportunities offered at Rancho Cielo. These programs, alongside its direct services, play a key role in how the organization holistically supports students through high quality education, vocational training and life skills development. Rancho Cielo makes these programs and services available at no cost to students, further removing barriers to opportunities to success and upward mobility.
According to CEO Chris Devers, Rancho Cielo is continuously working to expand direct...
Jazz at the Ranch Inaugural Event
Press Release
SALINAS, CA --- On August 25, 2023 the very first event in the Jazz at the Ranch concert series dazzled 250 attendees and Rancho Cielo students alike.
The evening began with a VIP Party at 4:30 p.m. to thank all of the wonderful sponsors and committee members who made the concert series possible, all for the benefit of Rancho Cielo students. During the VIP Party, Founder Judge John Phillips spoke of the students and how they are the entire reason behind the Jazz at the Ranch concert series,...
Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Winner!
Congratulations to Kim C. from Salinas on winning the 2023 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Opportunity Drawing! Kim is the lucky winner of a one-year lease on a beautiful, brand new 2023 Lexus LC 500 Convertible and an exclusive Pebble Beach package.
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who purchased a drawing ticket and to Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the Exclusive Pebble Beach package donors and to Lexus for allowing us to participate in this incredible opportunity. Our students benefit from the funds raised during this campaign and help them achieve goals they may...
Rancho Cielo Solar Project Groundbreaking
SALINAS CA - On Tuesday, August 15, 2023, Congressman Jimmy Panetta visited Rancho Cielo Youth Campus for a ceremonial groundbreaking of the Rancho Cielo Solar Project. The three goals of this project are: (1) to build on Rancho Cielo’s dedication to going green, (2) to cut energy costs for Rancho Cielo Youth Campus, and (3) to teach Rancho students about clean energy.
During his speech at the event, Congressman Panetta shared information on the Inflation Reduction Act, a bill that he helped author and one that has been instrumental in making the Rancho...
Rancho Cielo Educational Partnership Makes Pursuing High School Diploma a Reality
By: Tiffany Harbrecht
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 mentor- ship and relationships he experienced during his time there. Obtaining a high school diploma is an important achievement for...
Rancho Cielo Pioneers Innovative Model to Support Student Success
Since 2003, Rancho Cielo Youth Campus has addressed a need within Monterey County to provide relevant workforce development training for underserved youth — so they can earn a living wage, end the cycle of poverty and become productive members of society and an inclusive economy. Such an endeavor is not easy, particularly for young people in need of additional support to change counter-productive lifestyles and face other substantial challenges at home and in their communities.
That’s why Rancho Cielo built a case management model focused on supporting high-quality education, removing barriers to success and rewarding...
Rancho Cielo Open House for Sustainable Home Project
SALINAS, CA – The Rancho Cielo Construction Academy, together with NexusHousing.org , hosted an open house on Tuesday June 20, 2023, 4:30 pm-6:30 pm, to share the progress of their sustainable home build, named Nexus_01, for the Orange County Sustainable Decathlon. Once completed, the home will be transported to the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, CA for evaluation against the other contestants. The Rancho Cielo Construction students have until October 2023, designed by local architect Thomas Rettenwender and funded by Hayward Lumber and Scudder Roofing, among others.
During...
Rancho Cielo Graduation 2023 - Press Release
PRESS RELEASE
SALINAS, CA – Graduate Salvador Gallegos was one of 37 students awarded High School Diplomas from Rancho Cielo Youth Campus in partnership with John Muir Charter School on Wednesday, June 14th, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. The Commencement ceremony was held in Rancho Cielo's Sally Hughes Church Amphitheater. Rancho Cielo's Vocational Training Programs are high skill career technical programs for Monterey County students who seek a Vocational Training Certificate as they earn their high school education.
Joe DeRuosi, Director of College, Career, and Career Technical Education at Rancho...
Rancho Cielo Construction Program Primed for New Sustainable Building Competition
By: Tiffany Harbrecht
What do you get when you challenge students to lead California to an energy resilient future using state-of-the-art technology and sustainable building design?
This fall, Rancho Cielo students will compete in the first Orange County Sustainability Decathlon (OCSD), a collegiate competition focused on bringing the best ideas in sustainable housing design to life. As the only high school and occupational school, Rancho Cielo’s Construction Academy joins an elite group of 18 top architecture and engineering schools participating — many from University of California and California...