Rancho Cielo Youth Campus

10/16/2026

Halloween is just around the corner, and decorating has begun on the Rancho Cielo campus. We couldn’t do it without the plump pumpkins that Earthbound Farm and TJ Silva of All Good Things Farm donated yesterday. Huge shout-out to construction instructor Arnold Chavez, garden manager Julie Lorenzen and our Silver Star students for all their hard work in making it feel like a place Jack Skellington would call home!

10/15/2026

Rancho Cielo’s first Friday Night Dinner of the season kicks off tomorrow, October 16, and runs every Friday through December 18.

Under the guidance of Executive Chef Estevan Jimenez, our Drummond Culinary Academy students prepare and serve contemporary California cuisine that reflects the Salinas Valley's bounty and culture, and who they are.

Serving real customers is the best way to prepare our students for successful careers in Monterey County’s hospitality industry. They strive to create memorable moments for every diner through attentive, personal service and delectable food—and it shows.

Get your reservations now: resy.com/cities/salinas-ca/venues/rancho-cielo?date=2026-10-15&seats=2

10/15/2026

🎃👻 Join us to learn about enrolling at Rancho Cielo and how we help young people across Monterey County find a path to their future.

Local businesses and organizations are invited to host a free booth and connect with the community at Cardinale Stadium on Saturday, October 24, from 4:30–6:30pm, before the match.

Space is limited, so don’t miss this opportunity to build community connections.

Contact [email protected] to join the fun!

10/14/2026

When Peter Maturino graduated from Rancho Cielo in 2024, he had already launched his car-detailing business, Mr. Bubbles. Today, at 21, he’s building an impressive reputation, detailing extraordinary automobiles at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and working with clients, including San Francisco 49ers and Golden State Warriors players.

From a Pagani Zonda to one of the rarest Ferrari Enzos, Maturino’s work reflects the skill and entrepreneurial drive he’s cultivated since his days in Rancho Cielo’s Auto & Diesel Repair program.

“Rancho Cielo straightened me out, got me aligned,” he says. “I didn’t want to be in school, and they just pushed me to finish. I’ve always loved being around cars, so the auto program was perfect.”

You’ll learn more about Maturino in our upcoming fall newsletter.

10/13/2026

Drummond Culinary Academy graduate Ari Campuzano is making her mark as a line cook at Roy’s at Pebble Beach, where her eagerness to learn and keen attention to detail consistently impress her team. Hired full-time in June 2026, Ari handles food preparation and crafts more than 10 varieties of Roy’s sushi rolls.
“I learn lots of new things and love that it gets me out of my comfort zone,” she says.

Meanwhile, fellow DCA graduate Melany Garcia has been promoted to full-time pastry chef at Pèppoli. “My next step is learning about the sous chef role because they work on everything,” she says.

Ari and Melany are shining examples of how internships can open doors to rewarding, full-time culinary careers.

A huge thank you to the Monterey County Hospitality Association for supporting our internship program, which continues to grow every year. They have helped make it all possible!

10/09/2026

For two days in October, the ordinary rhythm of school gives way to something larger: a gathering of chefs and students, of instruction and ambition, of food and possibility. Rancho Cielo’s DCA (Drummond Culinary Academy) kitchen is packed. The courtyard is alive. Unfamiliar aromas drift through the air; chefs move from station to station; students watch closely, asking questions and tasting flavors they have never tasted before.

John Muir Charter Schools Markon Cooperative

For two days in October, the ordinary rhythm of school gives way to something larger: a gathering of chefs and students, of instruction and ambition, of foo ...

10/09/2026

Yesterday, AIM Youth Mental Health celebrated its partners at its annual gala, where Rancho Cielo received the AIM Advocate for Youth Award!

Three of our incredible students—Jose, Jasmin and Javier—attended the celebration after completing last year's inaugural 12-session AIM Ideas Lab. They shared their experiences with attendees, speaking firsthand about the Lab’s positive impact on their lives.

“We expect [young people] to grow, develop their understanding of the problem, and bring their own lived experience alongside the research skills AIM Ideas Lab gives them, and that combination is genuinely powerful,” said Jolie Delja, AIM Youth Mental Health executive director, last spring. “Working alongside Rancho Cielo to build this has been a joy for all of us at AIM.”

We’re deeply grateful to John Muir Charter Schools/Rancho Cielo Deputy Director Mirel Mejia and Maria Marquez (Student & Family Intake and Community Outreach) for helping lead this impactful partnership. Together, we’re empowering young people to turn their lived experiences into meaningful insights that can help shape the future of youth mental health.

Learn more at ranchocieloyc.org/rancho-cielo-partners-with-aim-youth-mental-health

10/08/2026

WE DID IT! 🎉 Rancho Cielo has been named Best Youth Nonprofit in Monterey County!

This honor belongs to our incredible community. To everyone who voted, cheered us on, volunteered, donated, partnered with us and believed in Rancho Cielo: THANK YOU!

Every day, our students learn, grow, discover their strengths and build brighter futures. Your support makes these opportunities possible, and this recognition reminds us that our community believes in them, too.

10/07/2026

Rancho Cielo Ag Tech students put their recent lavender harvest to work. Guided by Marie Jacques Bonney of Honey Blossom Farms, they transformed the fragrant flowers into handmade soap.

Lavender is more than a beautiful addition to a garden; it’s a favorite among bees and butterflies, with nectar-rich purple blooms that feed pollinators throughout the summer. It also has a long history of use for its soothing scent and skin care.
It’s all about hands-on learning: Our students discovered that plants can be both useful and beautiful.