Youth Services
Vista Academy
In partnership with Sonoma County Juvenile Probation, Circuit Rider operates Vista Academy as an alternative-to-detention Evening Reporting Center for court-referred youth ages 13–17. The program provides structure and support during critical after-school and evening hours while allowing participants to remain at home, continue attending school, and meet their court obligations.
Vista Academy is grounded in the belief that lasting change begins with a trusted relationship. Bilingual and bicultural staff use trauma-informed, restorative, and evidence-based practices to help young people understand patterns of behavior, regulate emotions, strengthen communication, and make decisions aligned with their goals. Participants also engage in mentoring, creative projects, outdoor and experiential learning, workforce-readiness activities, and community service that build confidence and a sense of contribution.
Family engagement is an essential part of the program. Staff work with parents and caregivers, Probation, schools, behavioral-health providers, and other partners to coordinate support and reduce the burden of navigating fragmented systems. By combining accountability with dignity, consistency, and opportunity, Vista Academy helps young people strengthen protective factors and build a more stable path forward.
Who the program serves
· Court-referred Sonoma County youth ages 13–17
· Young people who benefit from high-intensity structure, mentoring, and coordinated support
· Parents and caregivers participating in the youth’s support plan
What participants can expect
· Trauma-informed mentoring and structured evening programming
· Social-emotional learning, decision-making, and restorative skill development
· Family engagement and coordinated referrals
· Academic, workforce-readiness, creative, outdoor, and service-learning experiences
Intended impact
Participants strengthen emotional regulation, prosocial decision-making, school and family engagement, and confidence while reducing the conditions associated with continued justice-system involvement.
Vista Academy referrals are coordinated through Sonoma County Juvenile Probation. Contact Circuit Rider to learn more about the program or partnership opportunities.