Public Schools

Administration

Siskiyou County Office of Education
Kermith Walters, Superintendent
609 South Gold Street, Yreka, CA 96094
(530) 842-5751

Siskiyou Union High School District
624 Everitt Memorial Hwy, Mt. Shasta, CA 96067
(530) 926-3006

Daycare/Preschool

Elementary/Middle

High School

Community College

Academic Programs

One of the smallest community colleges in California, all academic credits are fully transferrable per articulation agreements with accredited four-year schools. All core programs offer the sequence of classes necessary to fulfill transfer requirements. The COS academic curriculum also provides community residents educational opportunities for job enhancement and personal enrichment.

Library

Community residents as well as students may become COS library cardholders and benefit from the library resources on campus and online. The library itself contains approximately 35,000 volumes, and several banks of computers are available for student use. The extensive online material includes over 3,000 books and articles from thousands of newspapers, magazines and journals.

The COS library is also home to the “Mount Shasta Collection,” by far the largest collection of information and documents about Mount Shasta in existence. This body of work covers all current and historic aspects of the mountain, from its geological history to its legendary spiritual significance. Researchers from all over the world utilize this collection when studying Mt. Shasta.

Technological Resources

COS keeps pace with computer industry innovation. The computer labs devoted to writing and computer skills are upgraded to support the software students want and need for building skills competitive in today’s market.

Perhaps the most stunning example of this commitment is the Distance Learning Center, in operation since July 2003. Classes held in this center can be linked with classrooms in four other Siskiyou County towns. Participation by the students in each location occurs in “real time”: microphones, speakers and cameras in each classroom allow students to hear, see and interact with the teacher and each other.

The Distance Learning Center allows instructors to project lessons onto a classroom screen using TV, DVD, VCR, dedicated PC and document camera technology. Instructors can save all the work generated at the console onto a website accessible to students for use as review or to make up missed work.

Community Career and Technical Education

College of the Siskiyous honors a long-standing partnership with Weed and Siskiyou County agencies and businesses aimed toward sustaining a healthy local economy with technical programs.

Contract education is available for businesses introducing new technologies into their operations. Classes specific to the technology are offered at the college and open to public enrollment, in which the business’ employees receive the new training for a low per unit cost. A second option with customized training exclusively for employees can be held on campus or at the job site.

Business effectiveness training is now available through the college website, in a series of ten classes. Courses, training and services are available for prospective small business owners through partnership with the Jefferson Economic Development Institute (JEDI). COS is a resource for businesses relocating to the area through its partnership with Siskiyou County Economic Development Council (SCEDC).

Other partnerships allow COS to offer its nursing students practical support and work study opportunities during Certified Nurses Assistant (CNA), Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) and Registered Nurse (RN) training. Support is available through the Workforce Connection, taking the form of financial help, counseling, childcare or subsidies for uniforms and supplies.

Mercy Medical Center offers nursing students a work study job “shadowing” a member of the professional healthcare staff at its facility. Graduates of the LVN program at COS are guaranteed space in an RN program through Shasta College in Redding, about 60 miles south of Weed.

The Fire/Emergency Response program at COS is accredited by the CA State Board of Fire Services, so the college and test and issue certificates to newly trained firefighters. The Weed Fire Chief serves as fire technology coordinator, and provides access to his department’s equipment and facilities for training purposes. The California Department of Forestry also provides access to fire engines and other equipment.

The guiding principle for these partnerships is commitment to community from both an educational and a business standpoint. The local education and training of local people for local businesses and jobs allows everyone a share in the health of the community.