School-Based Enterprise

School-Based Enterprise

A school-based enterprise is an ongoing, student-managed, entrepreneurial operation within the school setting. It provides goods or services that meet the needs of the school’s target markets (i.e., students, teachers, administrators, parents/guardians, community members, community organizations/businesses). School-based enterprises replicate the workplace to provide career insights and relevant experiences for the student. School-based enterprises are cooperative, with management decisions made by students. The WBL coordinator’s role involves the integration of technical content and skills.

Accepted forms of school-based enterprise include, but are not limited to,

• culinary café or catering services

• agriculture greenhouse plant sales

• childcare programs

• retail store

• credit union

• automotive services

• carpentry services.

School-based enterprises provide a great benefit to the school, the community, and related program areas, and strengthen the relationships among stakeholders. Goods and services that are needed by the stakeholders are sometimes provided at a reduced cost. They provide a venue for reinforcing classroom instruction and allow students to have in-depth, real-world experience and build management and leadership skills at a level not typical in other WBL experiences.