California Partnership Academies (CPA)
The CPA model is a three-year program (grades ten-twelve) structured as a school-within-a-school. Academies incorporate integrated academic and career technical education, business partnerships, mentoring, and internships.The California Partnership Academies (CPA) per California Education Code (EC) sections 54690-54697
represent a high school reform movement that is focused on smaller learning communities with a career theme. Academy components include rigorous academics and career technical education within a career focus, a committed team of teachers, and active business and post-secondary partnerships.
In addition to EC sections 54690–54697, the Green Technology Partnership Academies (formerly known as SBX 1 1) must adhere to EC Section 54750
.
Overview & Guidelines
- Program Overview
- Grant and Funding Information
- Expenditure Guidelines
Fiscal Timeline
Required reporting dates for CPA grant funding.
| Month | Timeline |
|---|---|
| July/August 2024 | State Budget Approved: Grants are contingent on the inclusion of CPA funds in the approved state budget and will not be processed until the state budget is approved and signed by the Governor. |
| July 1, 2024 | 2022–24 End-of-Project (EOP) Expenditure Report is emailed to all CPAs. This is the last EOP for the two-year grant program. The EOP is an itemized grant expenditure report with descriptions of all activities or purchases. All funds must be expended on or before the end of the grant period. Failure to submit an EOP will result in a billing from the California Department of Education (CDE) for the entire amount of the funds paid. Due date: August 31, 2024 |
| August 2024 | 2024–25 Grant Award Notification (AO-400) letters are processed and mailed to the district superintendent (original). Original signed documents of the AO-400 are mailed to the CDE within 10 days of receipt of the AO-400. |
| September 2024 | Payment: 2024–25 - First payment for the one-year program - Payment is 50 percent of the grant amount. |
| September 30, 2024 | Budget Builder: 2024–25 (formerly known as the Proposed Budget). This is a spending plan based on the expenditure of CPA funds. |
| January 2025 | Payment: 2023–25 Grant - Second/Final Payment for the two-year grant Payment 2024–25 Grant - Second/Final Payment for the one-year grant |
| March 2–4, 2025 | Educating for Careers - Annual Conference: March 2–4, 2025, at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento. Three key CPA staff are required to attend. |
| March 2025 | 2025–26 Letter of Intent identifies if the LEA wants to continue or discontinue CPA funding. Letter requires signature of school principal and district superintendent. |
| April 1, 2025 | 2024–25 California Partnership Academies Annual Report (CAPAAR) opens for data input. This report requires program components and the individual student data for the 2024–25 school year. This portion calculates the total amount of qualified students for funding. CAPAAR Opens: April 1, 2025 |
| June 30, 2025 | 2024–25 CAPAAR closes for data input. The CAPAAR report must be submitted by the CPA coordinator and approved by the school principal and district superintendent to receive continued funding. Failure to submit the report by the due date will result in discontinuation of funding. CAPAAR Closes: June 30, 2025 |
| August 29, 2025 | 2024–25 EOP Expenditure Report. The EOP Expenditure Report is an itemized grant expenditure report with descriptions of all activities or purchases. Failure to submit an EOP Expenditure Report will result in a billing from the CDE for the entire amount of the funds paid. The EOP Expenditure Report will be submitted through the CAPAAR platform. Due date: August 29, 2025 |
Upcoming Events
- Education for Careers
March 2–4, 2025 at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento, CA.
Academy Directory
California Partnership Academies Directory (XLSX; Updated Oct-2024)
Program and Fiscal Questions
For program related questions, contact the Academy, Apprenticeship, and Internship Office at CPAcademies@cde.ca.gov
For fiscal related questions, contact the Academy, Apprenticeship, and Internship Office at CPAFISCAL@cde.ca.gov