Jennifer Ketring

Governance Council

Members of the GC are the trustees of the nonprofit organization
that runs PCCS. They delegate professional, day-to-day operations of the school
to the Management Team and to the staff, and oversee the financial health and
viability of the organization, and how well the organization is fulfilling its
vision and goals. They make the final decisions on hiring, firing, and renewal
of employment agreements. 


GC members also serve an important role as school
benefactors- people who offer time, expertise, and other support, not as
employees, but as advocates of the school’s mission. They play a role in
communicating the school’s success to the community and, as civic leaders,
constantly seek sources of new funding as well as nonprofit and corporate
partnerships to benefit PCCS.

Check the latest GC meeting agenda and minutes.

Jennifer Ketring

K-8th Grade

Pacific School teachers work collaboratively to select and integrate curricula. Text books are used in all core subjects, but teachers teach beyond the text, supplementing these basics by integrating music, art, literature, field studies and other “real world experiences” into the classroom. Since it is a converted residence, the K-8 site helps create a family atmosphere.

Read our K-8 Blog for current updates and announcements.

Jennifer Ketring

High School

Pacific Community Charter High School (PCCHS) offers an alternative curriculum through a unique combination of small class, multi-grade instruction and the Passage program of six project-based student designed courses. PCCHS extends course offerings through a collaborative relationship with Point Arena High School. The Pacific Charter High School site is located on the Point Arena High School campus. 

The School offers UC certified A-G courses and AP courses. Both traditional grades and transcripts are given, as well as the use of Exhibitions and annual Portfolios to reflect progress. All students must pass the California High School Exit Exam, perform the required 80 hours of community service, and complete all graduation requirements, including four Passages worth 40 credits to graduate.

Read our High School Blog for current updates and announcements.

Jennifer Ketring

Enrollment

The Pacific Community Charter School provides the California coastal communities from Salt Point (Sonoma County) to Elk (Mendocino County), including Gualala and Point Arena, with a publicly funded kindergarten through 12th grade charter school. All K-12 students in these geographic areas are eligible for enrollment. No tuition is charged.

PCCS has open enrollment every spring. After the open enrollment period is closed, enrollment occurs on a first come first serve basis. Contact us for current information.
Jennifer Ketring

Community Service Requirement

Pacific Community Charter High School requires that each student complete a minimum of eighty (80) hours of community service as a requirement for graduation.

One half of the hours (40) are met through volunteer service contributed to the Pacific School. One half of the hours (40) are met through volunteer service to non-profit organizations or service oriented for-profit organizations or community individuals in need of assistance who are not able to acquire service elsewhere.

Most students try to complete 10 hours of Community Service and 10 hours of School Community Service each year.

There are many opportunities to complete your Service hours. At school, we practice taking care of ourselves, and others, by completing simple work chores each week to keep our environment safe and clean. Students earn School Community Service for completing these chores.

In our community, many organizations thrive on volunteer help, including the Coast Community Library and the Arena Theater.

Opportunities to earn Service Hours are regularly announced in your Community Leadership and Service class.

Jennifer Ketring

About Us

The Pacific School offers tuition free K-12 programs to students on the Sonoma and Mendocino Coast. The mission of the Pacific School is to provide a rigorous interdisciplinary curriculum which prepares students to enter higher education and occupations in their communities with an understanding of their geographic and historical roots and the goals toward which they can grow as adults. 

The guiding principle of the School is that the best preparation for life includes an education that is challenging to all students and respectful of individuals: an environment of friendship, self-reliance, honesty, initiative, courage and creativity in which everyone belongs.
  • Family Participation: We believe that education happens best when students, parents and teachers participate in the learning process.
  • History: Learn more about the school’s history.
  • Governance Council: Members of the GC are the trustees of the nonprofit organization that runs PCCS.
  • Student-Led Conferences: help build students’ self esteem and develop communication skills.

The Pacific Community Charter School is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization. PCCS is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF), from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:


Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
Fax: 833-256-1665 or 202-690-7442; or

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Jennifer Ketring

Graduation Requirements

What distinguishes the PCCHS program from other area high schools?
An emphasis on project-based learning through Passages based in a small community-minded environment makes PCCHS unique. 

What is a Passage?
A passage is a student initiated course of learning and self-development. Students explore personal, professional and academic interests through a project which they plan, document and display when completed. Each Passage is guided and evaluated by a Passage Council made up of a faculty member, a peer, and a community mentor. Each Passage is awarded 10 credits. Passages are a way for students to personalize their high school education.

Are there any other requirements?
All PCCHS students must pass the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) prior to graduation. Students take the CAHSEE in the spring of their 10th grade year and have the opportunity to retest in subject areas they do not pass in both their 11th and 12th grade years. The state requires that all students pass both the language arts and math portions of the test prior to graduation.

Students must complete 80 hours Community Service, half of the hours must be service to the Pacific School and half must be to anon-profit or service oriented for-profit organization. For more about Community Service, see the Community Service How To page.

Students progressing to the University of California or the California State University must successfully complete two years of a language other than English and follow other coursework requirements. See the Courses Required for Graduation and University Admission page.

High School Graduation
Requirements Comparison

 

Courses

PCCS

CA*

UC**

CSU***

Social
Studies

30

30

20

20

World History

10

 

 

 

US History

10

 

 

 

Civics

5

 

 

 

Economics

5

 

 

 

English

40

30

40

40

Math

20[1]

20

30[2]

30[3]

Science

20

20

20[4]

20

Physical Science[5]

10

 

 

 

Life Science[6]

10

 

 

 

Visual/Performing
Arts

10[7]

10[8]

10

10

Foreign
Language

10

10[9]

20[10]

20

Physical
Education

20

20

N/A

N/A

Electives

30

10

10[11]

10

Passages        

40    

N/A

N/A

N/A

CLS

20

N/A

N/A

N/A

TOTAL
CREDITS

240

150

150

150

Community Service

40

 

 

 

School Service

40

 

 

 

 

Updated October 2020

*CA: Minimum high school graduation requirements as determined by the State of California.

**UC: Requirements for University of California campuses.

***CSU: Requirements for California State University campuses.

[1] Including Algebra 1.

[2] Including Algebra, Geometry, and
intermediate Algebra. Four years recommended.

[3] Including Algebra, Geometry, and
intermediate Algebra.

[4] Two years with lab required, chosen from
biology, chemistry and physics. Three years recommended.

[5] Earth Science, Chemistry, Physics, STEM
Robotics, AP Computer Science

[6] Biology, AP Biology

[7] Fulfilled as visual/performing arts or
foreign language.

[8] One year of either visual and performing
arts, foreign language, or career technical education.

[9] One year of either visual and performing
arts, foreign language, or career technical education.

[10] Two years in same language required.
Three years recommended.

[11] From approved academic courses in
history/social science, English, advanced math, lab science, foreign language,
social science, or visual and performing arts. 

Jennifer Ketring

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a Charter School?
Charter schools are independent public schools with rigorous curriculum programs and unique educational approaches. Charter schools do not charge tuition.

2. Is PCCHS accredited?
Yes. PCCHS is accredited through WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges).

3. Do PCCHS college prep courses meet the UC guidelines?
Yes. You may check the list of PCCHS courses approved by the UC at https://doorways.ucop.edu/list/.

4. Will I get help to complete my Passages?
Yes. You will get help in your Community Leadership and Service (CLS) class.

5. Can I go on the Point Arena High School campus?
Yes. Students enrolled in Pacific Community Charter High School can take up to 3 classes at PAHS and students enrolled in PAHS can take up to 3 classes at PCCHS.

6. Can I participate in sports?
Yes. You may compete to play on any of the sports teams throughout the year.

7. Can I attend PAHS dances and special assemblies?
Yes. You should plan to purchase a student body card to save money.

8. Can I participate in the cafeteria’s free and reduced lunch program?
No. Unfortunately, PCCHS does not yet qualify for this program. However, you may purchase meals at the regular price.

9. Is PCCHS an open campus?
Juniors and Seniors may leave campus during lunch.