Abstract:

In secondary education, students are engaged in a never-ending race to make the highest grade, earn the top SAT score, and fill their résumés with as many activities as possible. A single-minded focus on these measures, far from differentiating our students from the rest of the crowd, places them in an increasingly homogenous pool of students who are largely unprepared in the vital skills of problem solving, oral and written communication, teamwork, and critical thinking. We can no longer afford to educate students with a model rooted in the last century. The tenets of entrepreneurial leadership propel us to move boldly in a new direction, with a unique product that is rich in flavor, creativity, and innovation.

Through our Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL) curriculum, we have shifted focus away from rote learning retention; in today’s world, access to information is instant and free. Instead, we set aside designated CEL time to train students to evaluate data, synthesize ideas, and pursue their own paths of discovery. Working in teams to implement their ideas, our students must constantly delegate and manage responsibilities, devise innovative solutions to challenges that arise, and communicate effectively with their team and supervisors about their progress. We have seen this work and these skills suffuse and bolster student progress in every classroom and activity in the school.

The CEL Venture Incubator provides a home for students who want to utilize and further develop their learning beyond the in-class CEL curriculum. It is a forum where students learn entrepreneurship working on real ventures under the guidance and tutelage of accomplished entrepreneurs and professionals. Students bring their for-profit, non-profit, and personal development projects to be vetted and guided by industry and investment experts. Each entrepreneur agrees to share openly the inner workings of their own ventures and provide opportunities for students to contribute in meaningful ways. The students take on the ownership and risk of each new venture, which allows them to learn and grow by building skills and resourcefulness. As in the business world, not every venture is a success. Our program teaches students to “fail forward,” to embrace struggle and the lessons it provides, setting them apart as students who are ready to take on the challenges of a changing world.