Monarch School is dedicated to providing homeless and at-risk children with an accredited education while caring for their basic needs. More than 100 kids between the ages of 7 and 18 are enrolled at Monarch School - many enjoying an environment where they can feel safe for the first time in their lives.

        Monarch offers its students basic services, helping them to focus on their futures - instead of their immediate needs. For instance, Monarch’s students often arrive at the school with dirty, ragged clothes. Monarch helps the students select clothing, shoes, blankets and items for their family members from donations provided by the community. Monarch also offers a shower as well as a washer and dryer at the school so that the students can keep themselves and their clothes clean.

        Monarch has vans to pick up new students at local shelters. Once the students have demonstrated their commitment to regular attendance, the school provides bus and trolley passes to them on a monthly basis, renewable based on continued regular attendance.

        Monarch offers dedicated space for medical exams for all students as  needed. Doctors come to the school every week. Additionally, students receive dental and eye exams and any follow-up that may be needed.

        Each weekday, Monarch opens its doors at 7:30 a.m. to provide breakfast for the students, many of whom have no access to a morning meal. Monarch provides grocery store “food only” gift certificates for those who will have no other means to receive an evening meal, and offers “food-only” gift certificates to a grocery store as needed so that the student’s family can have an adequate evening meal.

        Monarch volunteers and staff provide a variety of special activities such as graduations, open houses, holiday and birthday parties, and an annual Job Fair. Field trips are arranged to various sites around San Diego with the focus of expanding the horizons of Monarch youth.

        Providing a quality education to students in need is at the heart of Monarch School. It’s a unique, highly-focused educational program, designed with the special needs of the kids in mind. Monarch education is accredited and provides  the same standardized full curriculum as provided by the county school system. Students are able to earn a high school diploma or its equivalent.