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 |
|---|---|
March-April 2025 |
2025-26 Letter of Intent (LOI) is distributed to all California Partnership Academies (CPA). The LOI identifies if the local educational agency (LEA) wants to continue or discontinue CPA funding and requires signatures from the school principal and the district superintendent. Due Date: April 15, 2025 |
April-June 2025 |
2024-25 CA Partnership Academies Annual Report (CAPAAR) is submitted on the Program Grant Management System (PGMS) platform. This report determines funding allocations for the 2025-26 fiscal year and compliance with CPA Education Code (EC) requirements. The report must be submitted by the CPA coordinator and approved by the school principal and superintendent to receive continued funding. Failure to submit the report by the due date will result in discontinuation of funding. CAPAAR Opens: April 2025 Due Date: June 30, 2025 |
July 2025 |
State Budget Approval: Grants are contingent on the inclusion of CPA funds in the state budget and will be processed when the state budget is approved and signed by the Governor. |
August-September 2025 |
2025-26 Grant Award Notification (GAN/ao-400) letters are processed and distributed to the district superintendent via email. GANs are to be returned to the California Department of Education (CDE) within 10 days of receipt of the ao-400. CPA funding allocations are based on the number of students that qualify for funding as reported in the 2024-25 CAPAAR report. |
August-September 2025 |
2025-26 Proposed Budgetis submitted using the Budget Builder on the PGMS platform. This is a spending plan for the expenditures of CPA grant funds, as well as district and business matching funds. All budgeted purchases must comply with CPA Expenditure Guidelines. Budget Builder opens: May 2025 Due Date: September 30, 2025 |
September-October 2025 |
Payment 1: 2025-26 Annual Grant - Payment is 50 percent of the grant amount. |
November- December 2025 |
Payment 2: 2025-26 Annual Grant - Payment is 50 percent of the grant amount. |
April-June 2026 |
2025-26 CAPAAR is submitted on the PGMS platform. This report determines funding allocations for the 2026-27 fiscal year and compliance with CPA EC requirements. The 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 Opens: April 2026 Due Date: June 30, 2026 |
January-February 2027 |
2025-26 End-of-Project (EOP) Expenditure Report is submitted on the PGMS platform. 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 billing from the CDE for the entire amount of funds paid. EOP Expenditure Report opens: March 2026 Due date: February 2, 2027 |
Additional Key Dates for CPAs during the 2025-2026 School Year
- March 1, 2026: 2024-25 Supplemental Grant EOPs due (via email)
- March 1-3, 2026: Educating for Careers - Annual conference at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento. Three key CPA staff are required to attend.
- June 30, 2026: 2026-27 LOIs to continue CPA funding due. (LOIs will be completed via PGMS. Opens: April 2026)
Upcoming Events
- Education for Careers
March 1–3, 2026 at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento, CA
Academy Directory
California Partnership Academies Directory(XLSX; Updated Sep-2025)
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