Monterey Peninsula Unified School District (MPUSD) has been awarded a $500,000 California Serves Grant by the California Department of Education. Over the next two years (May 2025–June 2027), MPUSD will expand meaningful service-learning opportunities that help students earn the State Seal of Civic Engagement and strengthen their connection to the community.
Bringing Service Learning into Every Classroom
The California Serves program—administered by the CDE in partnership with California Volunteers—focuses on high-quality, 12th-grade service learning in districts where at least 55% of students are unduplicated pupils. MPUSD, selected in Cohort 3, will:
- Embed service learning into senior courses. New seminars and revised classes will align with both the C3 Framework and State Seal criteria.
- Empower teachers through professional development. Educators will receive the tools and training needed to design and guide impactful community projects.
- Hire a dedicated project coordinator. A full-time coordinator will oversee grant activities, partnerships, and evaluation.
- Forge community partnerships. Collaborations with organizations like Facing History and Ourselves and Learner-Centered Collaborative will connect students to real-world service experiences.
“This grant is a powerful investment in our students, educators, and community,” said Cresta McIntosh, Associate Superintendent of Educational Services. “By weaving service learning into our curriculum, we’re cultivating student agency, civic identity, and stronger community ties.”
Outcomes and Impact
MPUSD anticipates that this initiative will directly benefit:
- 867 seniors in 2025–26
- 800 seniors in 2026–27
- 850 seniors in 2027–28
Funds will support:
- Educator training and curriculum design
- Student travel to civic-learning conferences
- Ongoing program evaluation to ensure sustainability
Parents, guardians, and students have voiced a clear demand for real-world learning that bridges classroom content with community impact. This grant enables MPUSD to act on that feedback—creating a scalable model of civic education that boosts engagement, attendance, and academic success.
“This initiative reflects MPUSD’s deep commitment to equity and empowering students as active citizens,” added McIntosh. “We’re honored by the California Department of Education’s support to lead this important work.”
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