Strengths

The CARES Program at Mount Diablo High School is a 21st Century Community Learning Centers (ASSETs) funded program with strong support from our community partners as well as from our school site and administration. We offer a rich variety of before and after school programming everyday that school is in session as well as a variety of special events and a summer program. Financially we are supported by grants from both federal, state, city initiatives, and foundations. We pride ourselves not only in our strong academic and enrichment programs, but also in our many activities open to families, the school, and the community.

Challenges

In order to maintain high quality services being offered to our students and families, additional funding sources are continually being pursued. There is an ongoing need to maintain high quality training and mentorship for CARES staff as well as to recruit qualified teachers to serve our students. Additionally, we continue to search for new ways to engage students and their families with a variety of educational and social services.

Programs for Youth and Families

Homework Help, Academic Intervention Program, Nutrition Education and Cooking, Arts, Gardening, Literary Club, Service Learning, Tahitian Dance, Capoeira, Cares Garden, Band, SAT Preparation, Science Credit Reclamation, Athletic Study Hall, Drum line, Drama, Guitar, Vocal Work, Weight Training, Morning Sports, DSA (Digital Safari Academy), Link Crew Peer Mentoring, CAHSEE Preparation, Tumbling, Hip Hop Dance, Fashion Design, Cheerleading, and Flag Twirl.

Daily nutritional snack provided in partnership with Food Services Department and the USDA.

• School day teachers instruct the Intervention portion of CARES.
• Teacher Leader attends faculty, Administrative, Leadership, and grade level meetings.
• Informal and formal means of communication in place to facilitate discussion between CARES staff and school day teachers.
• CARES staff review progress reports and quarterly report cards to determine academic needs.

• Study Lounge/Teacher Tutoring: 3 hours homework assistance offered five days per week.
• Peer Tutoring Program: 4 peer tutors on staff available to tutor in Math, English/Language Arts, Science, Spanish, French.
• Intervention/ Credit Reclamation Program: 2 hours of academic Intervention with a Credentialed teacher in either English/Language Arts or Mathematics. Student to teacher ratio is 17:1. This program has eligibility requirements, inquire within.
• Athletic Study Lounge: 1-2 days per week homework assistance for school sponsored sports teams.

• CA High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) Preparation: 2 hours of skills preparation with a Credentialed teacher in English/Language Arts and Mathematics. Student to teacher ratio is 17:1. This program has eligibility requirements, inquire within.
• Wild About Science Credit Reclamation Class: 25 students participated in a semester course designed to provide lab-based, hands on biology instruction to students.
• High School Service Learning Students: 12th graders from Mount Diablo High School and Ygnacio Valley High School performed 50 to 100 hours of volunteer work with elementary students in order to complete elective credits. In 2009-10, 11 Seniors were able to earn credits to graduate on time. In addition, several students were hired on to become Recreation Staff in the Summer and Fall 2010.

• CARES Garden: Mt. Diablo High School students built and maintain a .24 acre garden at MDHS. Students participate in gardening activities & games that integrate nutrition, youth development and community development. In addition, 2 garden recreation students (MDHS students) are employed throughout the year to lead students in activities and help maintain the gardens at the elementary schools.
• Various Enrichment & Recreation opportunities: 1- 2 hours structured enrichment programming by a contractor or credentialed teacher. Programming includes arts and crafts, visual & performing arts, leadership and team building games, as well as various language arts, math, science and social studies activities. Programming focuses on the youth development model.

• Empowerment Through Action: 2 hour weekly class teaching students about making healthy food & lifestyle choices. Class offered through the Contra Costa Dept of Health.
• Youth Promotores: Lead by La Clinica de la Raza staff, this group focuses on the well being and empowerment of Latino students at MDHS. The class meets 2 days per week and focuses on community outreach and empowerment strategies. Students volunteer at community health clinics throughout the year.
• Black Student Union: Campus club providing opportunities to create success among the African American population at MDHS.
• Teen Garden Project: 15 students participated in a gardening focused youth development program in the Summer 2010. Working at the MDHS School Garden as well as at the Sun Terrace Garden, these 15 students learned nutrition, organic gardening techniques as well as participated in job development classes such as resume writing and professionalism. Students earned a $500 stipend at the end of the 6 week program.

• Drum line/Band Performances/Tahitian Dance: Several performances by the school Band, Drum line, and Tahitian Dance at school events and Mt. Diablo CARES After School Program events.
• Black Student Union Talent Explosion: Opportunity for students to sing, spoken word performance, play musical instruments, act, write and perform comedic skits, and choreograph and perform dance routines for their peers & families.
• Drama Performances: The MDHS CARES Drama program puts on 5 performances throughout the school year that parents, family, students and community members attend.

Who We Serve

Number of Students served: 305
Free & Reduced Lunch: 58%
English Learner: 43%
Special Education/Resource: 12%
Male: 49%
Female: 51%

Demographics
Latino: 34%
African American: 30%
Asin Pacific Islander: 12%
Other White: 21%
Other Non-White: 3%

How We Serve
Staff to student ratio: 1:20
Number of credentialed staff:11
Number of volunteers:2
Number of CARES staff: 4
Number of subcontractors: 7
Number of Community Partners: 8

Community Partners

• City of Concord Parks and Recreation
• MDUSD
• Concord Police Department
• Contra Costa Dept. of Health
• Dean Lesher Foundation
• La Clinica De La Raza