A new, three-year initiative led locally by the San Diego Foundation, with support from the national Gates Foundation, will help high school students earn college-level credentials and gain real-world experience in preparation for a career.
The $3 million initiative announced Tuesday will connect students from the Oceanside Unified School District with MiraCosta College and students from the Sweetwater Union High School District with Southwestern College.
Students will have access to career and technical education, hands-on work experience and career counseling. The goal is for students to graduate with a “clear path and credentials that hold value for both students and employers.”
The initiative is part of a longstanding commitment by both foundations to expand access from high school to college and careers. San Diego is one of four California regions selected by Gates Foundation to participate.
The goal is to identify what works and expand those models to other communities facing similar challenges. The effort is supported by the San Diego County Office of Education, San Diego & Imperial Counties Regional Consortium and San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation.
A 2025 national survey found that 72% of recent graduates felt unprepared for life after high school, and approximately half of recent grads wanted more work-based opportunities or career counseling in high school.
“Every high school student deserves more than hope — they deserve a future that is attainable and within reach,” said Mark Stuart, president and CEO of the San Diego Foundation. “By connecting classrooms to careers, this initiative turns potential into pathway, giving students the clarity, confidence and momentum toward a bright future.”
