That conversation was the moment we knew we had something: a course of study that, on its face, seemed so innovative and forward-thinking – Entrepreneurial Leadership – rooted in the most fundamental, core elements of our educational approach. We saw an opportunity to bring to life many of the skills and competencies our students had developed for decades at Battle Ground Academy and apply them to real problems and opportunities. Ten years later, our EL program – the country's first multi-year, departmentalized program of its kind – continues to be an incubator of educational innovation.

 

Our students have tackled challenges and pursued market opportunities in women's healthcare, athletics, personal wellness, sustainability, and construction, among many other fields. Walk through the Yarbrough Center for Entrepreneurship on any given day, and you'll find students collaborating with venture capitalists, consulting with intellectual property attorneys, learning from corporate executives, or brainstorming marketing strategies with brand ambassadors.

 

Through these experiences, our students gain a broader vision of what's possible as they prepare for life beyond BGA – not just in college but in their future careers. While not all will become entrepreneurs, every student learns how to passionately communicate their ideas, collaborate with a diverse array of peers and professionals, and understand that even the best ideas can be improved through research, collaboration, and refined processes.

 

Beyond the EL program's incredible outcomes, it is a model for innovative education at BGA. This fall, four concentrations are thriving in our Upper School: EL, STEM, Global Studies, and Fine Arts. Each concentration emphasizes creativity and collaboration and culminates in a Capstone Project for an authentic audience. For example, a STEM student conducting medical research must present her findings to a panel of external experts, while an aspiring musician in Fine Arts must explain his creative process and perform his work live.

 

These experiences don't happen in isolation. As a Pre-K through 12 school, we can begin instilling these skills early on. Whether through our Kindergarten-twelfth grade collaboration projects or middle-school leadership classes, the foundation for these Upper School experiences is laid long before students reach their Capstone Projects. Ultimately, all of our courses at BGA prepare students for entrepreneurial thinking because, when you get down to it, it's all really "applied liberal arts."