San Jose Conservation Corps + Charter School

Since 1987, the San Jose Conservation Corps + Charter School (SJCC+CS) has given thousands of young adults in San Jose a second chance at completing their high school diploma and gaining the education they need to obtain a living wage job or continue their education beyond high school. Through its holistic approach, SJCC+CS stretches the educational safety net in which its students can land and prepares students to launch themselves further into higher education, vocational education, or directly into the skilled workforce. The program contributes to local economic vitality by helping high school drop-outs transform themselves into income-producing, tax-paying, self-sufficient, contributing community members.

SJCC+CS services include wrap-around services, education, job training, and environmental programs. We operate a WASC accredited, on-site charter high school and paid job training programs in environmental conservation, recycling/zero waste, and construction. These entry-level programs are the pathway by which students  gain their basic skills such as work ethic, first aid/CPR, basic tool safety and vehicle safety, leadership, and conservation awareness. These jobs provide a  critical entry point into the world of work for  SJCC+CS corpsmembers and a critical component of stabilization for these youth who are from low and very-low income families.