Diego Valley Public Charter School, which offers teenagers independent study programs in San Diego County that lead to a high school diploma, received a $600,000 grant Thursday from the state Department of Education.
Diego Valley, which operates programs in El Cajon, Julian, Oceanside, Vista and the San Diego neighborhoods of Encanto, Grantville, Linda Vista and North Park, was one of eight schools that received a total of nearly $4.2 million in California Career Pathways Trust grants.
According to the state, grant recipients must create sustained career pathways programs that connect businesses, K-12 schools, and community colleges.
More grant awards will be announced later this spring, and many will go to schools outside the state's major cities.
"These grants are especially valuable in rural areas, where few career education programs are generally available," said Tom Torlakson, the state superintendent of public instruction. "I am pleased the Legislature and the governor provided us with additional funding to help smaller, rural communities prepare students for jobs in promising industries."
Diego Valley offers a year-round education program at no cost that students can start at any point and work at their own speed.
