FAQs

YouthBuild Charter School of California is a WASC accredited public charter high school that works with 16 workforce program partners to empower young people, ages 16-24+, who have been pushed out of traditional high school to earn a high school diploma through social justice work and community action projects.

You can use the map below to search for your zip code and find a program near you. Or find a complete list of our sites here. 

 

Age restrictions vary by site. Most sites are able to enroll students between the ages of 16 to 24. However, some sites, such as our Fresno site, are only able to enroll students 18 and older. In some circumstances, we are able to enroll students who are 15 or up to age 29, but it is best to contact the site/program where you are looking to enroll to confirm their age range. You can also find information about each of our school sites, including their age range, on the Campuses dropdown of our website.

Yes, YouthBuild Charter School of California is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC.) Click here to view our most recent WASC accreditation letter. 

Nothing! As a public charter school, we are funded by the state and our school is free to attend. There is absolutely no cost to earn your diploma here. 

The best thing to do is to contact the YouthBuild site you previously attended (all contact information can be found here) and speak to the counselor there to request your transcripts. If no one is available at your YouthBuild site or if the site has moved or closed, you can fill out a transcript request form here. If you need to talk to someone directly regarding school records, please reach out to school registrars Alicia Ayala at [email protected] (213-588-0830) or Dalila Tolbert at [email protected] (213-588-0829.)

YouthBuild Charter School of California (YCSC) is primarily a classroom-based school. Our classes feature hands-on, project-based learning, and our class sizes are smaller than at a traditional school, so students are able to receive more one-on-one attention from teachers. The classroom-based setting allows our students to recover credits faster than they would in an independent studies model, while also receiving a wealth of other services, including job training, college and career counseling, and leadership development. Hours of instruction depend on the site, but are typically between 8:30am to 3:00pm. Students who are working part-time or who have to care for children can also request a flexible schedule option that works with their obligations outside the classroom. Additionally, most of our campuses offer an Independent Study program to a limited number of students who are pregnant/parenting, have a chronic illness or caring for a family member with an illness, or are working full-time. In 2025-26, less than 10% of our students were enrolled in the Independent Study program.

Yes! We offer open enrollment at most of our 16 of our school sites all year long. However, there may be a brief waiting period before you can start classes and/or you may need to attend an orientation or complete Mental Toughness first. It's best to call the school site where you wish to enroll if you need more information about their enrollment timeline. 

Yes, we can help you finish your GED coursework to pass your test, but you most of our students prefer to earn their high school diploma here instead. Unlike most adult schools or GED prep programs, YouthBuild Charter School of California offers its students, the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma. How? California Department of Education Code Section 47610-47615 allows us to offer a high school diploma to all of our students, even if those over age 18, because we partner with YouthBuild and Conservation Corps programs

Before you can enroll at YouthBuild Charter, you must first be accepted into one of our partner YouthBuild programs (see “YouthBuild Partners.”) Visit a YouthBuild program near you to pick up an enrollment packet. Age requirements vary by site, but most enroll students between ages 16-24.
The following documents are required for enrollment of all YCSC students:
-Completed and signed Student Registration Form/ Enrollment Application
-Identification card reflecting current address
-Official School Transcripts 
-Special Education Documents (IEP)/504 Plan – and/or Opt Out Letter
-If applicable, IEP verified with SEIS (Student Education Information System)
-Birth Certificate
-Utility Bill
-Signed Student Release Form
-Immunization Records, Blue Card (TDAP is a requirement). Student has 30 days to obtain TDAP shot and will be exited if not obtained. Parents can opt out, but it must be documented. (Required for applicants under age 18 only)
-Signed technology user agreement
**NOTE: Additional documents may be required at certain school sites depending on the YouthBuild program. Students identified as homeless are not required to have all of the above documents before enrolling.

YouthBuild is a non-profit organization that champions opportunity youth as they achieve their ambitions and reach their full potential. In YouthBuild programs around the world, young people who are out of school and out of work reclaim their education, gain job skills and credentials, and become leaders in their communities. YouthBuild believes that these young people are in greatest need of access to the tools to succeed, and they are our greatest source of untapped potential to bolster economic mobility and transform the world. In YouthBuild's environment of love, respect, high expectations, community, and agency, young people overcome barriers and build long-term professional and personal success. While no two YouthBuild programs are exactly alike, all YouthBuild programs feature the same core elements: education, construction and other career pathways, support services, leadership development, alumni success, plus love. There are currently over 270 YouthBuild programs in the United States. YouthBuild Charter School of California partners with 16 YouthBuild programs to provide an education component. 

No, YouthBuild Charter School of California provides a classroom-based learning environment that features hands-on, project-based learning. Our class sizes are smaller than at a traditional school, so students are able to receive more one-on-one attention from teachers. The classroom-based setting allows our students to recover credits faster than they would in an independent studies model, while also receiving a wealth of other services, including job training, college and career counseling, and leadership development. That being said, most of our campuses do offer an independent study program to a limited number of students who are pregnant/parenting or are working full-time. While some independent studies coursework can be completed online, we are not an online program and independent study students are still required to come in at least once a week or every two weeks to meet with a teacher and turn in their work. Please inquire with a counselor at the YouthBuild program you plan to enroll at if you are interested. 

 

Graduates who need to request a replacement copy of their diploma (either a physical copy or digital PDF copy) can do so using this form. Please note, it typically takes 1-3 days for us to send a digital copy or 10 -14 days to send a physical copy. If you need to talk to someone directly regarding diploma verification or school records, please reach out to school registrars Alicia Ayala at [email protected] (213-588-0830) or Dalila Tolbert at [email protected] (213-588-0829.)

It depends how many credits you come in with and how many classes you take, so it’s different for everyone. It takes the average student 1.3 years to earn their high school diploma at YCSC. YouthBuild Charter students earn an average of 50 credits each school year (1.7x more credits than these same students earned at the previous schools they attended). Motivated students who take a full course load and complete all assignments can earn around 30 credits per trimester or 90 credits per year. 

When a student enrolls at YouthBuild Charter School of California, a counselor or registrar will assess their transcripts to see which credits they have already earned at previous schools. Students do not need to repeat courses for which they have already earned full credit at another school. In order to graduate, YCSC students need to complete a Senior Portfolio, as well as 200 credits* in the following areas: 30 credits of English, 10 credits of Algebra, 10 credits of Math, 5 credits of Government, 5 credits of Economics, 10 credits of Art/Foreign Language, 10 credits of Biology/Life Science, 10 credits of Physical Science, 10 credits of U.S. History, 10 credits of World History, 10 credits of Technology, 5 credits of Health, 5 credits of Life Skills, 5 credits of Community Service, and 65 credits of Electives.  Learn more on our Graduation Requirements page. 

 

* Students who qualify under AB167/216 (foster/probation youth), AB1806 (homeless youth), or AB 2121 (migratory or newcomer youth) are eligible for a credit reduction waiver. Talk to your counselor when enrolling to verify whether you qualify for a waiver.

No, although YouthBuild Charter School of California's administrative office and most of its school sites are located in LA County, the school's charter is not authorized by LAUSD nor by LACOE (Los Angeles Office of Education). YouthBuild Charter School of California's charter is authorized by the Inyo County Office of Education (ICOE.) YCSC's charter was most recently renewed in 2026, and its current charter term will last from July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2031. As such, YouthBuild Charter School of California does not follow the LAUSD school calendar. We have our own school calendar, which you may find here. 

Community Action Projects are long-term commitments to the neighborhoods where we are based. They take place in the local community and seek to address an inequity that exists in the neighborhood. Each trimester, students and teachers brainstorm issues in their community that they wish to address. Some examples of these issues include, income inequality, lack of access to healthy foods, drug abuse, police brutality, and racial profiling. All learning in the classroom, whether it is in a science, economics or art class, will reflect on the community issue that the students and teachers have chosen. Then, at the end of each trimester, students work on Community Action Projects alongside their teachers, community members, and other local non-profits in an effort to actively address the issue they chose to focus on and help to transform their community. Examples of past Community Action Projects include a Health Fair, a Rock the Vote Campaign and Voter Registration Drive, a Town Hall event and organized protests against sheriff violence in L.A. jails, and adding locally grown fruits and vegetables to a corner liquor store. 

Yes! YouthBuild Charter School of California is able to enroll and offer a high school diploma to students between the ages of 16 to 24+. This means that even if you turned 18 and were too old to remain at your old high school, you can enroll at our school and earn a high school diploma with us. How is this possible? California Department of Education Code Section 47610-47615 allows for this age exemption for charter schools that work with YouthBuild and Conservation Corps programs; click for full text of the California Ed. Code.  When you enroll at YouthBuild Charter School of California, a counselor or registrar will review the transcripts from your previous school(s) and enter them into our student information database, and you will only be required to take the classes for credits you are deficient in/missing in order to graduate.

Not necessarily, and in today’s economy, having a high school diploma is becoming increasingly valuable. Those with only a GED have a more difficult time joining the military, going to college, or even applying for entry-level jobs. By offering students the opportunity to earn a diploma instead of taking the GED test, we are opening the door to a wider array of post-secondary options. In addition, whereas most adult schools and GED prep programs are independent study and packet-based, our school is classroom-based, so students are able to get more one-on-one attention and support from their teachers and counselors. Additionally, for students who struggled with high stakes testing at traditional schools, having to study for and take the GED test may be daunting. At YouthBuild Charter School of California, we do not rely on testing to assess students or measure progress. Instead, students learn through hands-on projects that are more relevant to their lives, all while meeting the state requirements for graduation. 

Yes, because we are an accredited high school, if you earned credits at YouthBuild Charter School of California, your credits will be transferable if you enroll at a different school, including another charter school or a traditional public/district school. Likewise, when students transfer to YouthBuild Charter School of California from other charter schools or traditional public/district schools all credits they previously earned from accredited schools will transfer over. Students are not required to repeat classes/coursework at YCSC for credits they've already earned at another school. If you have questions about your credits or transcripts transferring, please talk to your school counselor or contact our Student Information Specialist Alicia Ayala at [email protected] or by phone at 213-588-0830.

Yes, YouthBuild Charter School of California is able to enroll students who have already passed the GED, HiSET or TASC and "upgrade" them to a diploma by having them complete 60 credits and a senior portfolio. Students must have already completed and passed any of the above listed high school equivalency exams to be eligible. If you think you may be eligible, please contact your counselor or a YCSC site near you to get a credit waiver.

For the 2026-27 school year, the first day of school varies depending on which YouthBuild Charter School of California location you attend. For the majority of our school sites, the first day of school is Monday, August 24th, 2026. For students attending our Compton site, the first day of school is August 3rd, and for our Fresno site it is August 10th. We offer open enrollment, so if you do not enroll/start on the first day of school, you can still enroll. Call the YouthBuild Charer School site nearest to you to talk to them about enrolling midway through the school year. To find out school calendar, click here. 

Before a young person can officially become a member of one of our partner YouthBuild programs and a student at our school, they must complete a process called Mental Toughness (also called RISE, Warrior Week, or other names depending on the YouthBuild Program.) Mental Toughness is a mutual selection process in which potential participants gain an introduction to their chosen YouthBuild program and determine whether or not the program will be a good fit for them. Both the YouthBuild program and the participant need to decide to move forward in order for a participant to pass Mental Toughness and be enrolled into the YouthBuild program. Typically about 1-2 weeks in length, Mental Toughness is an introductory period that gives participants the chance to experience the YouthBuild program and to demonstrate their readiness for enrollment. In order for a student to enroll at YouthBuild Charter School of California, they will first need to complete any Mental Toughness Orientation requirements at the YouthBuild program in which they wish to enroll. To learn more, click here.

While all YouthBuild Charter School of California (YCSC) students are strongly encouraged to complete a job training program while they are enrolled, it is not a requirement to enroll at our school. However, because potential YCSC students must first be accepted as members of a local YouthBuild or workforce development program in order to enroll with us, if the YouthBuild or workforce program you join requires you to complete a job training program, you must do so. For example, at our Canoga Park site, which is colocated at ACE/RUTH YouthBuild, participants enrolled in their YouthBuild program are currently required to complete a construction training program. However, other YouthBuild programs may only require that you complete a career exploration class. If you need support identifying a program to best fit your needs, refer to our list of locations. It's always best to contact the YouthBuild or workforce program directly to find out what their requirements for membership are.

Please talk to your counselor or school staff member about requesting a work permit. All requests for work permits must be submitted to Emily Suttmeier dos Santos via email at [email protected]. 

YouthBuild Charter School of California (YCSC) is not a stand-alone school, but rather a school that works with 16 YouthBuild program sites throughout Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego and Fresno Counties. For a complete list of our sites, see “Site Locations.” Our school administration office is located at 611 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 303, Los Angeles, CA 90017, but this office is not a school site where students can attend.

In California, over 43,000 young people drop out of high school each year, and students in low-income neighborhoods are six times more likely to drop out. YouthBuild Charter School of California helps re-engage those students so they can earn a high school diploma, gain job training, and experience post-secondary success.

You can find all of our current job openings on EdJoin or on this page of our website. If nothing is listed that means we currently have no open positions. 

We keep all of our Board documents on Google Drive. Click here to view them.

If you attended a YouthBuild program that closed but that was previously partnered with YouthBuild Charter School of California, you can request your transcripts using this form and your diploma using this form. Below is a list of former YouthBuild Charter School of California program partners that have closed down and for which you can use the above linked forms to request your transcripts or diploma copy.:

 

ABC Learn/ San Fernando Vally YouthBuild

Bakersfield Site at Foundation for Second Chances

Basen Recovery/ Carson Site

Boyle Heights YouthBuild

CALO YouthBuild/ Boyle Heights Site

CCEO YouthBuild (Lennox/Gardena before it became SBWIB YB)

Compassion Care Center/ Crenshaw Site

Desert Hot Springs Site at Rising Stars Business Academy

Field of Dreams Learning/ Former Norwalk Site

Gardena Site at New Earth

Heartland Coalition/ Former San Diego Site

Home Sweet Home YouthBuild/ Slauson Site

LEAD YouthBuild/ Lincoln Heights Site

Pasadena YouthBuild

Pico Union site: AYE - Catholic Charities of Los Angeles

Pomona Site at SGVCC (current Pomona site is with CORE)

South LA Site at All Peoples Community Center

Y.E.S. (Former Compton YouthBuild) in Compton and Watts

W.I.N.T.E.R. (Women In Non Traditional Employment Roles)/ Long Beach and San Pedro Sites

Whittier YouthBuild

 

If you attended a program that is not on the list above, you most likely attended a program that had a different charter school partner, such as John Muir Charter School. To obtain a transcript from a California public school, you will need to contact the school directly. If the school is closed, we suggest contacting the local school district where the school was located for assistance. Contact information for these entities may be obtained from the California School Directory. If you attended a YouthBuild program outside of California, you can try contacting YouthBuild Global for assistance.