Students enrolled in the program pride themselves on hard work, which bodes well for the program, since it requires an eight-month commitment from its young executives. During this time, students will brainstorm and form their enterprises, make pitches to real investors, obtain funding, file their DBAs, and by the end, actually launch their own business or social movement! Business mentors and local entrepreneurs across a variety of industries will support the students throughout the program. All of the learning is real and experiential.
By the end of the class, students own and operate fully-formed and functioning businesses, which may be carried on after their graduation from the program. YEA! aims to teach students, at an early age, how to make a job, not just take a job. It is the ONLY pre-college program developed by an entrepreneur, at a university, with support from a major entrepreneurial foundation, the Kauffman Foundation, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
"A true 21st century education must include opportunities for students to apply what they learn and to pursue their passion. YEA! provides such an experience while also providing authentic experts to enhance learning," said Dr. James Calhoun, Principal of Castle View High School, location sponsor of the Academy.
Classes will meet every Monday evening at Castle View High School in Castle Rock from 5:00-8:00 PM beginning in October, with breaks following the DCSD calendar. Academic credit is available for high school students.
If you know a middle or high school student with the desire to start a REAL business, or would like to mentor or sponsor a student, contact YEA! today. Applications can be found by going to YEADC.com, emailing CastleRockYEA@gmail.com, or by contacting Carrie at (720) 440-3726.
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The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) is a groundbreaking program that transforms students into real, confident entrepreneurs. Founded in 2004 at the University of Rochester with support from the Kauffman Foundation, the Young Entrepreneurs Academy today serves thousands of students in communities across America.
Start as a student and finish as a CEO!©
