Rancho Cielo’s flagship program offers intensive educational instruction to students between the ages of 15 and 18. All students are screened prior to acceptance and must have a desire to make positive changes in their lives. Most students are on probation when referred to Rancho Cielo

but recommendations may also come from the juvenile court, schools or parents. Graduates receive a high school diploma or GED. This program is operated in partnership with the Monterey County Probation Department, which provides supervision, case management, meals and transportation.

The Monterey County Office of Education provides teachers and classroom aides. Students benefit from small classroom sizes and a curriculum tailored to meet their needs. In addition, students are offered a variety of elective enrichment classes such as wood shop, sports, arts and crafts, music instruction and gardening.

Students are able to develop vocational skills in a project-based learning environment. Employment preparation classes (focusing on resume writing and interview skills) are offered through a partnership with Turning Point of Central California, Inc., and students have access to a number of other support services,

including drug and alcohol counselling, family planning, gang intervention, conflict resolution, anger management, grief counselling, health education, family counselling and career planning.