Entrepreneurship

This junior- or senior-level Entrepreneur I course is grounded in Maria Montessori’s belief that adolescents grow into independent and responsible adults through meaningful, real-world experiences. Her vision of a “microeconomy” in the adolescent program (ages 12–18) involved students managing small businesses, farms, shops, or community projects together. Through productive work, students develop cooperation, budgeting, leadership, problem-solving, decision-making, and social responsibility while connecting academic learning with practical life skills. Prior to this course, St. Helena Montessori high school students have enrolled in one or more of the school’s farm or shop electives for two years. Entrepreneur I builds on this experience by guiding students in developing an entrepreneurial opportunity based on a service or product created, grown, or manufactured at school. Students research entrepreneurial ideas, consider demographic, technological, and social factors, develop a business plan, study the organization and management of a business, and apply their learning through the practical planning and execution of a small business venture.