LA-26 Environmental Charter High: Expanded Climate Action Pathway

Pathways Improvement Scope

Environmental Charter High School will use K12 SWP funding to expand its existing Climate Action Pathway into a comprehensive youth apprenticeship pipeline focused on sustainability, energy, engineering, and the green economy. Building on its existing partnership and CCAP agreement with El Camino College, the project will expand dual enrollment into Sustainable Design and Science/Engineering, embed industry-recognized credentials, and develop a formal pre-apprenticeship aligned with CAPS’s U.S. Department of Labor-registered Sustainability Specialist Apprenticeship. The pathway will integrate work-based learning, industry mentorship, technical skill development, and apprenticeship experiences to create a seamless connection from high school to college, apprenticeship, and high-wage green careers.

Goals & Priorities

The primary goal is to create a progressive 9–12 pipeline that moves students from early career exploration to dual enrollment, pre-apprenticeship, and ultimately registered apprenticeship opportunities. Priorities include providing all 9th and 10th graders with apprenticeship-aligned career exposure and work-based learning; establishing an 11th-grade pre-apprenticeship cohort with a target 80% completion rate; enabling approximately five seniors annually to begin earning registered apprenticeship hours; and expanding access to industry-recognized credentials and college credit. Equity is central to the plan, with a goal of ensuring at least 75% of participants represent historically underserved student populations while providing tutoring, mentoring, counseling, transportation, and other supports to promote successful pathway completion.