In the News

PLAINFIELD, Ill. - Plainfield is fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs, with 80 high school students already on the path to success.

A group of high schoolers from Barrington are working to grow an online platform they’ve launched, Fresh Cornucopia, which brings farmers market vendors from different communities together for customers from all over to find.

It’s a mantra High Wire employees hear frequently, that defines the company mission—to build something great and allow people to be the best version of themselves.

With stage lights beaming down, a group of five teens wearing matching green T-shirts and wide-leg denim jeans stood shoulder to shoulder. Facing them was a panel of judges ready to ask tough questions about the students’ business proposal for an innovative portable barbecue smoker, including everything from its design to a marketing plan.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – Students from Kempsville High School’s Entrepreneurship & Business Academy were selected to participate in a national pitch event this summer.

A Brentwood High School alum is one of five finalists in the INCubatoredu National Pitch Contest.

Long trend: student enterprise. Many organizations have been supporting youth entrepreneurship in and out of school for decades. Student enterprise also has a long history in journalism student-led publications, broadcasts, and more recently sports marketing. Entrepreneurship is a trending interest of Gen Z and is more important than ever in the economy.  

Lewisville High School (Lewisville Independent School District) students, participating in the INCubatoredu program, competed in their Final Pitch Night at the Technology, Exploration & Career Center - West in Lewisville, Texas on April 25, 2024. Hopeful entrepreneurs were vying for a total of $5,000 in seed funds to help take their business to the next level. The program is in its sixth year, sponsored by financial contributions from Mary Kay, Inc., City of Lewisville, and M.R. & Evelyn Hudson Foundation.

With a new $250,000 state grant in hand, a small exurban district superintendent asked for advice on how to invest in #NewPathways. Following are 10 ideas along with some leading examples. 

Over the past 120 days, we’ve conducted tours of over 50 high schools in more than 1,000 classrooms across various cities including Boston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Northern Colorado, Kansas City, Twin Cities, Pittsburgh, and San Diego. These schools were purposefully selected for their dedication to real world learning, positioning them at the forefront of innovative education. These visits showed schools leading the way into new pathways, active learning methods, and work-based learning initiatives. From our observations at these leading schools, we’ve identified 8 key insights about the state of American high schools.