We are the longest running free alternative high school & job training option in California. We offer students the following personalized benefits:

• Individualized high school graduation plans
• Credit waiver eligibility
• Career-related workshops
• Paid job training
• Electives based on student interests and goals
• Small class sizes
• Flexible school hours that accommodate job training

No matter where you’ve been, what you’ve been told, or why you’re here, you can graduate from our high school. Because here, we conform to you – not the other way around.

Enrolling at JMCS is easy:

1. Apply to an eligible job training program.
2. When prompted, choose JMCS as your high school.

JMCS has 32 alternative high school and job training locations across the state of California. Find a site near you here.

JMCS students can select job training programs that fit their interests. Take a look at the types of job training our partners offer:

• California Conservation Corps: Firefighting, trails, energy, construction, corps leadership
• Local Conservation Corps: Landscaping, public lands and trail conservation, recycling, solar, construction
• Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Programs: Civic engagement, social impact, fire training, construction, parks and conservation, general vocational training and work readiness
• YouthBuild: Counseling and leadership development, community service, construction, culinary

While it depends on the job training students choose, most JMCS students are eligible to receive a stipend. JMCS students can make up to $2,709 while earning their HS diploma and preparing for their dream careers.

Yes. You can see our accreditations from the Accrediting Commision of Schools here.

JMCS is a free alternative high school in California.

You won’t just fit in. You’ll feel at home. At JMCS, we believe that a complicated past fuels a purpose-driven future. There are people among our administration, faculty, staff, and students who have spent time in juvenile detention and prison facilities. Who left high school to focus on parenting or making money. Who have difficult relationships with their family members and community. If you’re worried about fitting in because of your history, know that we aren’t. You will succeed here because of – and regardless of – your experiences, skills, and dreams.

Your safety and dignity are our priority. We put the following in place to keep our schools a place where everyone knows they belong:

• Small class sizes
• Strict policy around bullying
• Individualized academic attention
• Annual DEIB and anti-bullying staff training

JMCS students with disabilities are valuable members of our learning community. We fully embrace and comply with the following to make our school sites welcoming and effective for these learners:

• The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
• Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and Section 504 Plan
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Yes. You do not have to be a citizen to attend a JMCS school.

Many JMCS students are English language learners (ELLs). We’re committed to providing the following federally compliant process to keep language an asset – not a stumbling block – to education:

• Identify students who need language support
• Use expert guidance to make it possible for ELLs to succeed at school
• Give staff the materials, facilities, and guidance they need to support ELLs
• Check for success and make changes when needed