Social Innovators Program | Winter 2024-2025

The Entrepreneurial Mindset

Entrepreneurship is much more than merely learning how to start a business. It’s a mindset—a creative problem-solving framework that can be applied to any number of situations and opportunities—and it’s fundamental to students’ long-term success in school, work, and life. It allows them to see opportunities where others don’t, make risk-adjusted decisions, persevere through adversity, and communicate effectively with stakeholders and the public.

The Social Innovators Program is a partnership between the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice, Shady Side Academy, and Schoolyard Ventures, an organization that develops university-level, real-world learning opportunities for ambitious high school students. Developing an entrepreneurial mindset while in high school gives students substantive differentiation from their peers, better insight into their future educational and career opportunities, and more grit and resilience to accomplish their goals.

Program Description

The Social Innovators Program enables Shady Side students to learn about entrepreneurship and experience it first-hand while earning a Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship. During the program, students learn how to launch ventures of their own that create value and a positive impact on society.

The twelve-week program is a virtual program (online) with small class sizes (8 students per class). Students will be in classes with peers from both their own school and other schools, allowing them to exchange ideas, share challenges, and learn from each other's experiences. During the weekly recitations, students will participate in live online group discussions led by Schoolyard Ventures staff. Students will also have continual access to personalized guidance and support from the whole Schoolyard Ventures team. Because students choose their own projects, each student’s experience in the program is unique to their interests and goals. Schoolyard Ventures has helped students launch ventures ranging from tech companies and fashion retailers, to community-based non-profits and social movements. Students are encouraged to find something that sparks their curiosity and to use intrinsic motivation as the basis for developing an entrepreneurial mindset.

At the end of the program, students will present their work and most importantly, their personal development. Students who successfully complete the requirements of the course will earn a twelve-week Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship.

Information Session

Application Process

Process

The application is now live. Students may apply online via the “Apply Now” button below.

1. Written applications must be submitted by 11:59pm ET on Thursday, October 24th.

2. Phone admissions interviews will be scheduled with students after their applications are received. Please look out for an email from admissions@schoolyard.org.

3. Students will be notified about admission decisions around a week after the application deadline.

What do we look for in an applicant? Here are a few tips:

• It is not necessary for students to have an idea to apply for the program (80% of accepted students begin without an idea). We will help students work through the process of developing an idea during the program.

• We’re looking for students who are curious about social entrepreneurship and motivated to begin solving problems for other people and themselves while in high school.

• Students with a Growth Mindset will have an advantage in the admissions process. (Learn More About Growth Mindset).

• Students should be able to commit at least 3 hours per week over the course of the 12-week program.

Questions? Contact Rich Sedmak @ 267-481-1696 or rsedmak@upenn.edu