APTOS, CA — A countywide collaborative comprised of public education institutions, including all K-12 School Districts, Cabrillo College, CSU Monterey Bay, San Jose State University (SJSU) and the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) today announces the Santa Cruz County College Commitment (S4C), a historic, county-wide partnership of public, K-12 and higher education institutions formed with the goal of increasing the college readiness and success of every student in Santa Cruz County.
“In a time of dramatically reduced funding for all levels of education in California, this unprecedented collaboration of the many partners in S4C is compelling evidence that we can work together to make a difference, even in the most challenging of times,” said Brian King, Cabrillo College President and Superintendent. “The collaboration began just six months ago, and amazing work is already underway, such as meetings hosted last year between Math and English faculty from Cabrillo College and area high schools, to better align high school and college curriculum.”
As part of the Santa Cruz County College Commitment (S4C), the participating educational organizations have committed to:
- Provide information, services and resources to help Santa Cruz County students and their families prepare for college.
- Deliver a K-12 academic program with rigor and support for admission to postsecondary education.
- Help students successfully transition to and succeed in college, on the career pathway they choose.
- Reduce or eliminate financial barriers so that every student can afford a quality, post- secondary education.
- Work together to deliver these commitments for the young people, families, and employers of Santa Cruz County.
“We at the County Office of Education are extremely pleased to be involved in The Santa Cruz County College Commitment, which will not only make Santa Cruz County’s K-12 students more prepared to enter college, it will give them greater success in college, ultimately producing more college graduates for Santa Cruz County, our local workforce and the local economy,” said Michael Watkins, Superintendent, Santa Cruz County Office of Education. “We’re looking forward to our continued partnership in this effort and to the results it will produce for students throughout the county.”
There is also a student component to the Santa Cruz County College Commitment (S4C). Students who participate in the program will pledge to:
- Learn about college and careers, beginning in the fourth grade.
- Prepare for college and careers by behaving like a scholar and making the most of the help provided.
- Take challenging high school courses, including the College Entrance/A-G Requirements, career technical education, internships, and service learning.
- Apply for financial aid during their senior year of high school, through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the California Student Aid Commission.
- Explore and pursue many different college and career opportunities, including those in Santa Cruz County.
As part of the Santa Cruz County College Commitment (S4C), fourth graders from every K-12 school district throughout the county will tour Cabrillo College during the school year, in order to gain exposure to college life and to help the students set goals for continuing their education beyond high school.
“We are very excited to be participating in this innovative initiative,” said Gary Bloom, Superintendent, Santa Cruz City Schools. “The Santa Cruz County College Commitment brings our local public education institutions together to improve college readiness and completion rates. Starting in the fourth grade, our students will begin college visits and their families will learn about post-secondary options and how to prepare for them. K-12 schools and local colleges will work together to align curricula to insure better prepared high school graduates. High school juniors will participate in Early Assessment Placement (EAP) testing as an additional step in insure they are prepared for success at Cabrillo College and other post- secondary institutions.”
The Santa Cruz County College Commitment (S4C) will be officially announced during a news conference today. Event details are as follows:
What: When: Where: Information:
Santa Cruz County College Commitment (S4C) News Conference Wednesday, September 7, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Cabrillo College – Student Activities Plaza (between SAC East and SAC West) Aptos Campus – 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003 Contact Kristin Fabos, krfabos [at] cabrillo.edu or (831) 479-6158
About Cabrillo College
Cabrillo College is a leading California community college serving Santa Cruz County with locations in Aptos, Scotts Valley and Watsonville. It is ranked #1 in transfers to UC Santa Cruz. Founded in 1959, the college offers over 100 academic and career technical education programs that serve multiple educational goals such as A.A. and A.S. degrees, certificates of achievement, skills certificates, transfer to 4-year institutions or for lifelong learning and personal enrichment. Its mission is to enhance the intellectual, cultural, and economic vitality of our diverse community by assisting all students in their quest for lifelong learning and success in an ever-changing world.