Program of Excellence

V. Student Preparation

The Criminal Justice program at San Marcos High School provides a comprehensive pathway that prepares students for both college and careers in law enforcement. Through a structured curriculum, hands-on training, and real-world experiences, students gain the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful transition into the field.

Beyond the classroom, students have access to co-curricular and extracurricular opportunities that align with their career goals, including field trips, guest speakers, and community partnerships. The program fosters a supportive environment where students are encouraged and recognized by staff for their achievements, reinforcing their commitment to pursuing careers in law enforcement.

Career Awareness and Employability

Career awareness is the greatest strength of the San Marcos High School Criminal Justice program, providing students with unparalleled exposure to real-world law enforcement careers. Mr. G has worked diligently to secure a diverse lineup of guest speakers from various sectors of law enforcement, including police officers, detectives, federal agents, forensic specialists, correctional officers, and legal professionals. These experts share firsthand experiences, insights, and advice, giving students a realistic understanding of the field. Additionally, Mr. G organizes multiple field trips throughout the year to locations such as police academies, forensic labs, courthouses, and correctional facilities, allowing students to witness law enforcement operations in action. Students consistently highlight the guest speakers and field trips as the most impactful and engaging aspects of the program, helping them connect classroom learning to real-world applications.

The relationships Mr. G has cultivated with guest speakers and field trip hosts have created a strong network of industry professionals who are committed to mentoring and inspiring students. These connections provide invaluable learning opportunities and give students direct access to professionals who can offer guidance on career pathways. To further support career exploration, the district utilizes Xello, an online career planning and research platform. Through Xello, students can investigate various careers in the criminal justice field, explore educational and training requirements, and connect with local opportunities for internships and job shadowing. This comprehensive approach ensures that students not only gain knowledge and skills but also develop a clear plan for their future in law enforcement.

Student Focus

The Criminal Justice program at San Marcos High School is designed to provide students with real-world knowledge and skills that prepare them for careers in law enforcement, legal studies, and first responder fields. Our diverse student population, consisting of 43% Caucasian, 41% Hispanic, 7% Asian, and 9% identifying as two or more races, reflects the broad community we serve. Despite this diversity, we maintain a strong commitment to student support, ensuring that all students have the resources they need to succeed.

San Marcos High School boasts a 97% graduation rate, a testament to our dedication to student achievement. A key component of this success is our robust counseling team, which includes eight counselors who provide academic and career guidance. Our CTE students, including those in the Criminal Justice program, benefit from a dedicated CTE Counselor who helps them plan their high school coursework to complete their pathway and prepare for post-graduation opportunities.

To further support career readiness, all students at San Marcos High School utilize the Xello Career Planning platform. This tool allows students to build a career portfolio beginning in middle school and continuing through high school, helping them track their progress, explore career options, and plan relevant coursework. CTE teachers actively assist students in developing their portfolios, and core subject teachers are increasingly integrating Xello into their curricula. The platform also aligns students’ career interest assessments with available course options, ensuring they take classes that support their future goals.

Beyond high school, we maintain a strong connection with our graduates. Each year, we conduct a survey to track their progress in higher education, vocational training, and the workforce. This year, we saw an increase in survey participation and hope to continue improving response rates to better understand the career trajectories of our alumni.

One of the standout aspects of our Criminal Justice program is the mentorship and support provided by Mr. G, our dedicated instructor. Mr. G has built a strong rapport with his students, many of whom invite him to their police academy graduations and stay in touch as they advance into law enforcement and other first responder careers. His guidance, along with our structured career planning resources, ensures that students in the Criminal Justice program graduate prepared for their chosen paths with a clear plan for their futures.

Certifications & Credentials

The Criminal Justice program at San Marcos High School currently enrolls 235 students, with 79 of them set to complete the pathway this year. The program is undergoing an exciting transformation, as all courses are in the process of being converted to dual enrollment classes due to Mr. G’s recent employment with Palomar College. This shift will allow students to earn college credit while still in high school, significantly enhancing their career and educational prospects.

By completing the pathway, students will have the opportunity to earn 12 college credits, giving them a strong head start in law enforcement education. This structured pathway prepares them to seamlessly transfer to the local community college to complete a law enforcement certificate or build a solid foundation for California’s new Modern Policing degree. In addition, students are encouraged to pursue industry-recognized certifications, equipping them with credentials that enhance their employability and readiness for careers in law enforcement.

SkillsUSA

San Marcos High School is in the early stages of exploring SkillsUSA and has not yet fully participated in the organization’s events and competitions. While we have enrolled students as members, we have faced challenges navigating the platform and onboarding students successfully. Thankfully, SkillsUSA has provided support, and we are committed to learning more about the opportunities available.

At this stage, our focus is on understanding the competition process, the structure of SkillsUSA events, and how we can best support our students in preparing for success. We strongly believe that our students would excel in SkillsUSA competitions and leadership activities, and we are eager to grow our involvement in the future. However, we are not yet at a point where we can apply for awards or meet all the chapter excellence benchmarks.

As we continue this journey, we aim to increase student engagement, strengthen our understanding of the SkillsUSA framework, and eventually establish a strong, competitive presence. For now, we are getting our feet wet and building a foundation for future success.

Work Based Learning

San Marcos High School does not currently offer off-site work experience in Criminal Justice; however, the program provides extensive opportunities for students to engage with industry professionals and explore career pathways through guest speakers and field trips. These experiences allow students to gain valuable insight into the field, hear firsthand accounts from law enforcement professionals, and see real-world applications of their studies.

Throughout the year, students interact with guest speakers from various branches of law enforcement, corrections, and legal services. These experts provide in-depth knowledge about career paths, industry expectations, and the realities of working in the field. Additionally, field trips to local agencies, courthouses, and training facilities offer students a closer look at criminal justice careers in action.

While the program does not currently include off-site internships or shadowing experiences, students are made aware of community career opportunities such as Explorer Programs, and other local initiatives. These external programs allow interested students to gain hands-on exposure outside of school.

The Criminal Justice teacher collaborates with industry professionals and the CTE Counselor to ensure students are aware of college programs (new Modern Policing degree at local community colleges), mentorship opportunities, and career pathways. As the program continues to grow, San Marcos High remains committed to expanding work-based learning experiences and strengthening connections between students and the criminal justice field.

Student Recognition

Student recognition is an integral part of the Criminal Justice program at San Marcos High School, ensuring that students feel valued and motivated as they progress through their training. Within the classroom, various forms of recognition are embedded into daily instruction, celebrating student achievements, leadership, and skill development. Whether through performance-based awards, certificates of excellence, or verbal recognition, students are consistently acknowledged for their hard work and dedication to the program.

Beyond the classroom, the program features a robust CTE Ambassador initiative, which allows each teacher to select one to three outstanding students to represent the program in the community. These ambassadors play a crucial role in promoting the Criminal Justice pathway, engaging with local industry leaders, and showcasing the program’s impact. Each year, these student representatives attend the CLNA/Perkins Industry Partner meeting, where they collaborate with professionals to discuss workforce needs, provide student perspectives, and help shape the future direction of the program. This leadership opportunity not only enhances their communication and networking skills but also reinforces their role as future law enforcement professionals.

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