EDUCATION
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An accredited, individualized program for adults and non-traditional students
Five Keys operates two accredited public charter schools - Five Keys Independence High School and Five Keys Charter School - that serve students ranging from age 15 through adulthood. Our high schools are not located on one campus, but rather, serve students at a wide network of sites in nine California counties, and online.
The schools serve people who did not complete high school as youth, expanding opportunities for disconnected and economically isolated Transitional Aged Youth and adults to restart their education and improve their lives. Through individualized education services, we meet students at their wide-ranging academic levels. We assess students' needs, obtain and analyze any existing high school transcripts, and work with students to develop a pathway to graduation. Any person without a high school diploma is eligible to enroll. Our high schools are based at more than 51 community settings, and in 17 California jails. Five Keys’ high schools serve approximately 1,900 students per day throughout California. Our schools are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
In the community: Our schools are notable for the degree to which they partner with community-based organizations. We operate at more than 80 community sites, co-locating with community-based agencies to provide students with supports like case management, mental health counseling, and addiction treatment. With classrooms in probation departments, job training centers, LGBT and women’s centers, youth service centers, foster youth transition centers, and more, we reach people who might not otherwise restart their education. We have several sites that specialize in serving Transitional Aged Youth (ages 15-24, and provide special education services for qualifying students.
Our community high school sites are located in the following counties:
• Northern California: San Francisco, Alameda, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Sonoma, Marin, Solano.
• Southern California: Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.
In-custody: We provide the same level of service at our school sites that operate within 17 jails. We provide classroom-based and independent study high school programming and connect students with our other reentry programs to assist them with becoming self-sufficient when they return to the community.
Our in-custody programs are in the following counties:
• Northern California: San Francisco, Alameda, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Sonoma, Marin, Solano.
• Southern California: Los Angeles
We provide:
• In-person and online Career Technical Education opportunities
• Classroom-based learning or independent study
• Customized, relevant and culturally responsive curriculum
• English as a second language
• College and career navigation, counseling, and fairs
• Mental health counseling
• Dual enrollment opportunities in which students can simultaneously earn high school and college credits at the following colleges:
+ City College San Francisco and Five Keys partner to provide classes inside San Francisco County jails.
+ Los Angeles Mission College
Contact: registration@fivekeys.org
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Learning for job readiness
Adults without a high school diploma who want to improve their reading, writing or math skills in order to gain employment or advance in their careers may receive instruction through this program. People ages 18 or older are eligible to participate. Five Keys’ teachers draw on a range of curriculum and strategies to work with students toward their learning goals, including addressing literacy or numeracy skills. Participants with and without a high school diploma are eligible to participate. Participants for whom English is not a first language receive ESL instruction. This program is funded through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Title II; Adult Education and Family Literacy Act.
Location: This program is available at all of our school sites.
Contact: registration@fivekeys.org
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English for school and work
Five Keys offers English as a Second Language through our online programs, as well as in-person at these Los Angeles County sites: Southeast Comprehensive Los Angeles America’s Job Center of California, and the Weber Community Center in Los Angeles.
Location: Online, and in-person in Los Angeles
Contact: registration@fivekeys.org
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Certification for employment and college
Five Keys offers preparation and testing for people interested in taking the General Education Development (GED) or HiSET exams to earn a high school equivalency degree.
Location: This program is available at all of our school sites
Contact: registration@fivekeys.org
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Vocational education for in-demand industries
Five Keys offers a range of self-paced, in-person or online Career Technical Education (CTE) training programs for students enrolled in its high schools. The courses integrate core academic knowledge with occupational skills to prepare students for careers in growing industries. Teachers have industry experience and a California Department of Education CTE credential to teach in their field. Programs align with industry standards and prepare students for industry certifications, union apprenticeships, or college. CTE Pathway students have direct access to union apprenticeship representatives, transition counseling, job site visits, college tours, internship opportunities, and guest speakers. CTE pathways are described in more detail here.
Location: Online and in-person in Los Angeles County
Contact: registration@fivekeys.org
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A mobile classroom for underserved San Francisco neighborhoods
Due to the lack of adequate classroom space in many of the communities Five Keys serves, a state-of-the-art mobile classroom on a refurbished MUNI bus brings Five Keys’ teachers and program staff on a regular route to deliver educational opportunities in marginalized neighborhoods. The mobile classroom provide students and teachers with wireless connectivity, and laptops. Students can work on GED, high school diploma, English as a Second Language, or basic literacy and numeracy skills. The bus was refurbished with funds from Google. Operational funding is provided by San Francisco Mayors Office of Housing and Community Development.
Location: The bus has a regular schedule providing onsite services across five low income or public housing sites in San Francisco.
Contact: info@fivekeys.org
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Academic case management for pregnant and parenting teens in San Francisco
Five Keys provides academic case management for pregnant or parenting teens in San Francisco to assist them in graduating from high school, or its equivalent, becoming independent, and forming healthy families. Cal-Learn is part of the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program. Five Keys provides these services in partnership with San Francisco Human Services Agency.
Location: San Francisco
Contact: info@FiveKeys.org
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Supporting incarcerated youth with their educational goals
Five Keys’ career & college navigator works with youth to develop individualized plans based on their interests, goals, academic credits. They connect students to available resources in the community and within Juvenile Hall and coordinate with other service providers to ensure each client’s’ needs are being addressed. A credentialed teacher tutors students enrolled in college courses while in Juvenile Hall and assists students with developing schedules and study strategies. This program is funded through the San Francisco Department of Children, Youth and their Families.
Location: San Francisco Juvenile Hall
Contact: info@FiveKeys.org
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Access to technology and digital skill training in San Francisco
Five Keys provides access to technology and digital skill training at the Cyber Hub for residents of San Francisco’s southeast communities. Residents advance their educational, professional, economic, and personal interests in Cyber Hub, located in the beautiful, new and welcoming community center constructed under the leadership of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. The Cyber Hub offers residents access to computers, and provides single-session and longer courses to help residents develop computer skills needed for today’s world.
Location: San Francisco
Contact: info@FiveKeys.org
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Provides pathways to technology careers in San Francisco
Five Keys’ TechSF On-Ramps increases access to tech pathways for vulnerable populations. San Francisco is known for being a technology hub, but unfortunately there is little representation from communities of color and formerly incarcerated. This program gives participants at Five Keys programs who are incarcerated in San Francisco, or at one of our community locations, the opportunity to increase their digital literacy skills, earn tech certifications, and enter college programs that focus on technology pathways. We provide computer classes, career and college navigation. Our partners at City College of San Francisco work with students before and after their release from jail to help them explore college tech pathways and enroll. This program operates with funding from the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development.
Location: San Francisco
Contact: info@FiveKeys.org