During the Petaluma City Schools board meeting on Dec. 13, 2022, PCS and Sonoma State University signed an agreement called the “Sonoma Promise”, which will eventually guarantee college-bound students from Casa Grande and Petaluma High School admission into the university with minimum graduation requirements.

The plan was conceptualized by the Petaluma City Schools superintendent, Matthew Harris, and it was enacted upon by himself and the SSU President, Dr. Mike Lee.

The Promise between these PCS districts and the California State University aims to promote the abilities and possibilities of all students within Petaluma. 

In an Argus-Courier article, Harris shares that the agreement “…also raises the bar as far as what we will expect from students upon entering in 9th grade, and will help us develop a more university prep mindset.”

With the agreement in place, students who have the minimum amount of “a-g” requirements, which are crucial pieces of information that determine admission for CSU and UC systems, and have successfully graduated from either Casa Grande or Petaluma High will have full, prioritized admission into SSU.

Sonoma State president, Dr. Mike Lee, cites to Argus-Courier, “This agreement could significantly increase the number of students from Petaluma going to a university. [I]t would ensure that as Sonoma State increases in enrollment, these students would be secured a spot at Sonoma State University.”

PCS superintendent Harris created this idea of connecting the nearby university with Petaluma school districts from when he lived in the state of Michigan. In his previous district, he experienced what it was like when high schools and local colleges collaborated together for the benefit of their students.

Now, in Sonoma County, Matthew Harris and Dr. Lee have pushed forward on helping the students of Petaluma with seeking higher education after graduation. 

This Promise is the first agreement that SSU has made with a school district on guaranteeing local students a place at the university.

As of right now, it is not known if current seniors from Casa Grande and Petluma will receive the anticipated aide from the Promise, but Harris has said that the agreement’s plan will go under way “in the near future.”