In an exciting new initiative, Gustine High School and Orestimba High School in Newman have joined forces to provide students with expanded educational opportunities in child development and health care pathways.

This collaboration, spanning two neighboring counties—Merced and Stanislaus—is designed to open doors for students from both schools, offering them hands-on experience, transferable college credits, and a real-world understanding of their chosen fields.

The partnership, presented by Ashley Ramirez and Daisy Zagazeta, involves 13 students from Gustine High School and 12 from Orestimba High School, with a focus on child development and patient care. Through this initiative, students are able to take part in specialized classes that allow them to earn college credits, potentially setting them up for future careers in education, healthcare, or related fields. Each student participating in the program will earn 12 units over the course of a year, spread across four quarters, offering them a significant head start toward a college degree.

“We want to give our students opportunities they wouldn’t normally have,” said Ramirez, highlighting the importance of early college exposure and hands-on learning. “By collaborating with both high schools, we can ensure that students not only gain valuable knowledge but also practical experience that prepares them for the workforce or further education.”

Gustine High School’s patient care pathway, now in its fourth year, is also seeing benefits from this collaboration. This year, the school is fully integrating its patient care instructor, allowing for a full-day program on campus. Students from both high schools will have the opportunity to engage in health careers, sports medicine, and medical technology, with the hopes of expanding opportunities for clinical experience in the future.

“The idea is to push students to complete the entire pathway, not just take one or two courses,” added Zagazeta. “We want them to fully engage with the experience so they have a well-rounded education by the time they graduate.”

Although the program is still in its first year, organizers are hopeful that it will continue to grow, adding more students and expanding its reach. They have been working closely with counselors and administrators from both districts to address logistical challenges, such as scheduling, transportation, and the alignment of academic calendars. As the program develops, there is also hope to increase articulation agreements with local colleges, allowing students to earn transferable credits for their work.

One parent from Orestimba High School expressed enthusiasm for the program, describing it as “the best of both worlds” and appreciating the cooperative effort between the two schools, which have long held a friendly rivalry in athletics.

This innovative partnership has been funded through a regional grant that involves three counties—Stanislaus, Merced, and San Joaquin. Gustine and Orestimba High Schools are the only schools within this regional partnership that have crossed county lines to collaborate on a joint project, further emphasizing the uniqueness of the program.

With dedicated teams from both schools working to refine the initiative, the future looks bright for the students involved. The program promises not only to enhance academic opportunities but also to foster connections between the two communities, ensuring that students have the resources and support they need to succeed.