The St. Louis Centers for Advanced Professional Studies (STL CAPS) is part of the national CAPS Network that spans 12 states, 44 programs and 86 high schools. St. Louis CAPS provides juniors and seniors the opportunity to fast-forward beyond college to test-drive their future in high-skill, high-demand careers.
Instead of learning in a traditional high school setting, students are immersed in professional workplaces such as medical centers, research labs, business co-working offices, and higher education facilities. Students must submit an application to be considered for the program.
Key Points of STL CAPS
Open to 11th and 12th grade students
Year-long course worth 3 high school credits
College credit options available
Morning Session 7:30 – 10:00 a.m.
Afternoon Session 12:00 – 2:30 p.m.
3 courses available:
1) Global Business and Entrepreneurship,
2) Medicine, Healthcare, and Bioscience,
3) Engineering & Technology Design and Development
Each course meets outside of the home high school at a business/industry partner location (i.e. medical center, business incubator, research facility, college campus, etc.)
Students are responsible for providing transportation.
Apply online at https://www.stlcaps.net/
The St. Louis CAPS (Centers for Advanced Professional Studies) program is an opportunity for high school juniors and seniors to fast-forward beyond college to test-drive their future in high-skill, high-demand careers. Students engage in a profession-based experience located outside the walls of a traditional high school classroom. The students learn directly from business and industry professionals in places such as hospitals, small business incubators, research labs, nonprofits, and college campuses. Students complete projects directly from business partners and present their solutions to expert panels. The St. Louis CAPS program emphasizes professional etiquette, communication, teamwork, critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and innovation. Students begin to build their professional network while still in high school.
Below are five key guiding principles that unite, define, and guide the caps experience:
Instructors develop real-world, project-based learning strategies through collaborations with business and community partners. These interactions enhance the learning experience, preparing students for college and career.
CAPS supports high-skill, high-demand careers through ongoing innovation in curriculum development, programs and services based on local business and community needs.
Students realize their strengths and passions by exploring and experiencing potential professions. This allows them to make informed decisions about their future, while learning to exhibit leadership.
Unique experiences allow students to cultivate transformative professional skills such as understanding expectations, time management and other essential business values. These skills are critical to providing students a competitive advantage in their post-secondary education and professional careers.
Instructors create an environment where creative thinking and problem solving is encouraged. An innovative culture is key to fostering entrepreneurial learning and design thinking.