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.
Come to a Prospective Student Open House
At Rancho Cielo, young people can earn their high school diploma and a vocational certificate for free. Come to one of our Prospective Student Open Houses to learn more. The Open Houses will be held every Tuesday until the end of the semester. New students can apply throughout the year.
Space is limited due to social distancing protocols so please RSVP with Edna Valdez, Outreach and Recruitment Coordinator, via email at evaldez@ranchocieloyc.org . No drop ins will be allowed.
Angel is our server of the week
Congrats to our Server of the Week-- Angel!
Here are a few of the things people said when they visited the Drummond Culinary Academy when Angel was working:
"I am a Culinary Graduate, and this place still amazes me. Amazing food!"
"It was a great environment. Very Welcoming. Thank you."
"I appreciate your knowledge of food and how it was prepared. Your kind and patient manner will get you far. Best to you."
"Angel was awesome! He is super knowledgeable, friendly and very polite. He took very good care of us."...
Server of the Week: Natalia
Congrats to our Server of the Week-- Natalia!
Natalia has been hard at work at our Friday Night Dinners.
From a recent guest:
“4th time here. Better each time. Can’t wait for a 5th visit!”
First Ever Student Resource Fair Held at Rancho Cielo
On Tuesday, October 29, Rancho Cielo hosted its first annual Student Resource Fair. Students from the Drummond Culinary Academy, Construction Academy, Ag Vocational Center, Youth Corps, and Silver Star program participated in this great event. They learned about the many resources and opportunities available in our community. They also had a chance to win some awesome prizes.
Thank you to all of the agencies that participated in the Resource Fair:
Immigration Task Force Bright Beginnings Salinas Valley Recycles YWCA Monterey County Clinica de Salud del Valle de Salinas Salinas Family YMCA Department of Rehabilitation...
Rancho Cielo opens new center
Building projects are now complete at the Rancho Cielo campus.
The school cut the ribbon on the new Ted Taylor Ag Vocational Center on Thursday.
Read the full story by Josh Copitch on KSBW.com .
Server of the Week: Hector
Congratulations to our Server of the Week, Hector.
The Drummond Culinary Academy dining room guests had lots of positive things to say about Hector:
“Hector’s smile lights up the room!”
“Hector is a Keeper!”
“Hector is a Winner!”
“Love the waiter [Hector]. And the polenta was SO delicious!”
“Hector was so impressive – friendly, knowledgeable and confident – like a pro! His recommendations were perfect. From the warm greeting by the students through the entire meal….it was amazing.”
Great job, Hector!
Congrats to Carla, DCA Server of the Week!
Congrats to our very first Server of the Week-- Carla!
She has been working very hard in the Front of the House and is very deserving of this recognition.
Our guests also had fantastic things to say about the service they received from Carla at the Drummond Culinary Academy Dining Room:
“Carla was very self-assured and friendly.”
"She has a great personality and ensures that her customers have what they need."
"Very friendly and informative."
Great job, Carla!
Edible Notables: Ranch Lessons
Chef Estevan Jimenez reaches up into a mature fruit tree in Rancho Cielo’s organic garden and pulls down a Santa Rosa plum, dark red, round and ripe. He bites into it and it takes him back to his childhood.
“It’s one of the first tastes I remember,” says Jimenez, who grew up in the Central Valley to immigrant parents. His mother worked in a packing shed and brought fruit home for the family. For Jimenez, the memories are as sweet and poignant as that plum.
Now, Jimenez—whom everyone calls EJ—works with at-risk young people...
Growing AgTech Industry Inspires New Course At Salinas Nonprofit
Rancho Cielo is a nonprofit in Salinas that offers at-risk youth the chance to prepare for jobs in a range of industries, from culinary to construction. Their newest program trains youth to work in the growing AgTech sector.
In a classroom on the Rancho Cielo Youth Campus, students complete an assignment for the new Agriculture Processing and Mechanics course. It’s a new 10-month course that began this August. Jessiah Ramirez says it’s already changed his life.
Read the full story by Michelle Loxton at kazu.org .