Education
Level up with the CCC
Corpsmembers may have the chance to take community college classes, tour colleges, and finish their high school diploma while in the CCC.
In addition to training Corpsmembers in natural resource work, the CCC also prides itself on offering educational opportunities. This includes completing your high school diploma—if you haven’t yet earned one—, community college and university courses, and CCC specific trainings.
Finish Your Diploma
Corpsmembers looking to finish their high school diploma can do so while enrolled at 22 of the CCC’s 24 locations. There is no cost to Corpsmembers to take classes.
Those enrolled in high school — in addition to spending 40-hours per week on projects — attend classes or complete independent study courses for a minimum of 10 hours per week.
Camarillo Center
The Camarillo Center offers the opportunity to complete your high school diploma through John Muir Charter School.
Chico Center
The Chico Center offers the opportunity to complete your high school diploma through John Muir Charter School.
Delta Center
The Delta Center offers the opportunity to complete your high school diploma through John Muir Charter School.
Fortuna Center
The Fortuna Center offers the opportunity to complete your high school diploma through John Muir Charter School.
Fresno Center
The Fresno Center offers the opportunity to complete your high school diploma through John Muir Charter School.
Inland Empire Center
The Inland Empire Center offers the opportunity to complete your high school diploma through John Muir Charter School.
Los Angeles Center
The Los Angeles Center offers the opportunity to complete your high school diploma through John Muir Charter School.
Los Padres Center
The Los Padres Center offers the opportunity to complete your high school diploma through John Muir Charter School.
Monterey Bay Center
The Monterey Bay Center offers the opportunity to complete your high school diploma through John Muir Charter School.
Placer Center
The Placer Center offers the opportunity to complete your high school diploma through John Muir Charter School.
Mendocino Center
The Mendocino Center offers the opportunity to complete your high school diploma through John Muir Charter School.
Norwalk Center
The Norwalk Center offers the opportunity to complete your high school diploma through John Muir Charter School.
Pomona Center
The Pomona Center offers the opportunity to complete your high school diploma through John Muir Charter School.
Redding Center
The Redding Center offers the opportunity to complete your high school diploma through John Muir Charter School.
Salinas Center
The Salinas Center offers the opportunity to complete your high school diploma through John Muir Charter School.
Sacramento Center
The Sacramento Center offers the opportunity to complete your high school diploma through John Muir Charter School.
Santa Maria Center
The Santa Maria Center offers the opportunity to complete your high school diploma through John Muir Charter School.
Siskiyou Center
The Siskiyou Center offers the opportunity to complete your high school diploma through John Muir Charter School.
Tahoe Center
The Tahoe Center offers the opportunity to complete your high school diploma through John Muir Charter School.
San Diego Center
The San Diego Center offers the opportunity to complete your high school diploma through Urban Corps Charter School.
Solano Center
The Solano Center offers the opportunity to complete your high school diploma through John Muir Charter School.
Vista Center
The Vista Center offers the opportunity to complete your high school diploma through Urban Corps Charter School.
Charter School Partners
Our charter school partners work with Corpsmembers to obtain their past school transcripts, determine what courses they need to complete, and develop a plan to graduate.
John Muir Charter School
John Muir Charter School (JMCS) is a nonprofit public-benefit corporation with a charter granted in 1998 by the Nevada County Superintendent of Schools. JMCS serves a majority of CCC centers and has partnered with the CCC for more than 20 years.
John Muir Charter School
Urban Corps Charter School
Urban Corps Charter School is a locally funded charter school, authorized by Mono County Office of Education. UCCS serves the CCC’s San Diego County locations in National City (San Diego Center) and Vista.
Urban Corps Charter School
Explore College & University Offerings
The CCC maintains robust partnerships with California Community Colleges and the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Corpsmembers participate in remote and on-campus activities, including college and university tours, special events, and taking classes. Classes can be for earned academic credits or certificates of completion.
Community Colleges
The CCC partnered with 19 community colleges in the 2023-24 Fiscal Year.
Course availability varies from center to center, based upon offerings from the local community college in the center’s area. From time-to-time, courses are made available statewide at a residential center.
Courses
Corpsmembers may be able to complete or participate in the following courses or programs:
- OSHA 10
- OSHA 30
- Hazardous Waste Operations & Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) certification
- EV charging station certificate program, hosted by Cerritos College
- Emergency Medical Technician course
- Emergency Medical Response course
- Cuesta College Conservation Awareness noncredit online course
- 200-hour Utility Line Clearance training and/or Pre-Inspector Arborist training
- Drone Pilot training
- Small engine repair certificate programs
In November 2024, Corpsmembers from the CCC Placer Center visited the Sierra College campus in Rocklin, CA. During the tour, Corpsmembers interacted with faculty and students while learning about the various program opportunities available at the college.
UC Agriculture & Natural Resources
The CCC has a partnership with the University of California (UC) Agriculture and Natural Resources, UC Environmental Stewards program, to offer the California Natural, or CalNat, program.
The CalNat program is a 40-hour outdoor education course designed to introduce Californians to the wonders of our unique ecology and engage the public in study and stewardship of California’s natural and cultural resources.
Complete Development Training
The CCC’s Corpsmember Development training program provides Corpsmembers with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in the CCC and beyond.
Select an icon below to explore Corpsmember Development training.
COMET - Initial Entry Training
All trainees must complete Corpsmember Orientation, Motivation, Education, and Training (COMET) to become official members of the California Conservation Corps.
As part of COMET, Corpsmembers will undergo physicals and drug tests on the first day. Enrollment paperwork will also be completed on day one. Other topics reviewed and discussed during COMET include, CCC policies, Equal Employment Opportunity, Alcohol & Other Drugs policy, Injury & Illness Prevention, tool usage, wellness, and First Aid & CPR.
Initial Entry Training
Conservation Awareness Program
The Conservation Awareness Program (CAP) furthers Corpsmembers’ appreciation for California’s natural resources and helps them understand their roles as conservationists, consumers, and citizens. It is intended to help Corpsmembers understand the “why” behind the work they do.
Conservation Awareness Program
Career Development & Transition
The Career Development and Transition program (CDT) prepares Corpsmembers for future employment, college education, and/or technical education. During this course, Corpsmembers get to know themselves better, research their career options, and bring it all together using practical applications, including resume development and interview skills.
Career Development & Transition
Community & the Environment or Civic Engagement
Civic engagement, including volunteerism, is encouraged of all Corpsmembers in the CCC.
The Community and the Environment or Civic Engagement (CEC) requirements can be met by meeting one or more of the following conditions:
- Attendance in at least half of available Center community meetings; and/or
- Serving on the Corpsmember Advisory Board (CAB); and/or
- Participation in a CAB volunteer event.
Community & the Environment or Civic Engagement
Work Ethic Development
Corpsmembers receive regular performance evaluations from their supervisors. These evaluations provide consistent feedback on a range of work skills, including dependability (e.g., attendance and punctuality), work site relations (e.g., cooperation and adaptability), and program performance (e.g., work safety and technical skills).
Work Ethic Development
Ask Us Anything
We know you have questions about the educational opportunities available while in the CCC. Here are some of the common one’s we get. Have more questions? Give us a call!
Talk to A Recruiter
How much do I have to pay for high school classes?
Nothing. High school classes do not require Corpsmembers to pay any kind of fee. All that is required is full participation in the CCC program and attendance of required hours with our partner charter schools.
I'm an alum, how do I get my high school transcripts?
The CCC works with charter school partners for Corpsmembers to earn their diplomas. You will need to contact the schools directly for transcripts. Both schools have online portals to assist with such requests.
How does my current school IEP transfer over?
An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is a written plan that helps children with disabilities get specialized instruction and services. IEPs are generated by professional school staff and are not applicable to enrolling in the California Conservation Corps.
Our partner charter schools may utilize or develop their own IEP for Corpsmembers completing high school. Further discussion about IEPs will be discussed between the individual Corpsmember and the teacher assigned to the CCC center where the Corpsmember is enrolled.
Can I attend college full-time and enroll in the CCC?
The California Conservation Corps is a 40-hour per week commitment. Program participants may also be required to respond to emergencies with little to no notice and in remote parts of the state with limited or no cellular service.
It may be possible to take an online course or two while enrolled in the CCC, but full-time college courses would be extremely difficult and challenging. We suggest interested recruits fill out an application and discuss further with their assigned recruiter.
I have a High School Equivalency, do I have to take high school classes?
Corpsmembers with a High School Equivalency Certificate are encouraged to complete their high school diploma, however; they may receive a waiver from this requirement. Such a waiver must be approved by the Corpsmember’s District Director. This is a topic that can be discussed once a Corpsmember arrives at their assigned center, as the decision is made at the center level.