Social Innovators Program | Summer ‘21

Online High School Program

The Social Innovators Program is a partnership between the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice and Schoolyard Ventures. High school students who successfully complete the eight-week course will earn a Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship.

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Summer Term:

Learn more about the current Summer term of the Social Innovators Program here:

 

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 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 allows high school 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 eight-week program is virtual (online) with a strong focus on personalized and individualized guidance (3:1 student - instructor ratio). With small class sizes (6 students and 2 instructors per class), lessons will be viewed online and include engaging interviews and case studies with young entrepreneurs. During 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, including one-on-one check-ins at least once per week. Because students choose their own projects, each student’s experience in the program is unique to his or her 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.

This summer will mark our 11th cohort of the online Social Innovators Program.

 

Program Format

***See note below about COVID-19 Flexibility***

Weekly Recitation Classes (once per week, twice per week during the first two weeks)

  • 65 minutes each

  • Live video group chat with 2 instructors and no more than 6 students

  • New concepts introduced and explained, group discussions, project feedback and reflection

Weekly One-on-one Check-ins (average of once per week)

  • 10 to 30 minute one-on-one check-ins with instructor for supplementary project coaching / guidance

  • Additional check-ins, including evening and weekend hours, available per student request

Slack App Learning Management and Communication System (available continuously)

  • Students will have access to the Slack app, which will allow them to message instructors at any time, receive assignments, review recitation presentations, post assignments and project updates, and collaborate with other students.

Independent Work (2 to 3 hours per week)

  • The program will require 2 to 3 hours per week of independent work, spent mostly on project advancement, but also on weekly challenges, skill-building drills, and reflections.

Total Student Commitment Required = 5-6 hours per week

Program Details

2021 Summer Program

June 14th - August 7th

**A NOTE ABOUT COVID-19**

We recognize that families are facing a great deal of uncertainty regarding summer plans. We acknowledge this and want to be as flexible as we can be. We are doing this in three specific ways:

  1. Students will have the opportunity to choose a between a number of weekly evening recitation times - generally M-T-W OR TH during the 6pm, 7pm or 8pm ET time slot. Evening sessions allow move flexibility for students who are waiting to confirm involvement with day time summer work, day camps or intensive day-time sports.

  2. We are able to schedule up to two make-up recitations sessions should a student need to miss sessions due to overnight camp, vacation or college visits.

  3. We have extended our application deadline so that families can make enrollment decisions with the best information possible. However, we caution that the program might reach capacity before this deadline.

We would be happy to discuss your individual situation.

One additional note about online programming. We recognize that students are spending considerably more time online due to COVID-19. We also recognize that many in-person programs are attempting to transition their programs online with varying degrees of success. The Social Innovators Program has been designed to be online from its inception three years ago. We believe that pedagogically, online learning requires a different model than in-person - including much smaller class sizes, an emphasis on action and discussion instead of passive lectures and a focus on mentorship and personalized guidance.

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Who

Current high school students

Location

This is a 100% virtual (online) program.

Information Sessions

We will host a series of evening webinars / info sessions for students and parents. (If you are unable to attend, please register and we will send you a recording.)

Cost

Tuition for the program is $2,195. A 50 percent deposit is due upon acceptance, and the balance is due by June 1st.

Application Process

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

If a student application is strong, a brief phone admissions interview (10 to 15 minutes) will be scheduled.

Students will be notified of our decision within 72 hours.

Once accepted into the program, students will have the opportunity to select their preferred recitation days and times. They will be given several options—all 65 minute slots during weekday evenings. While students are expected to attend all of their scheduled recitations, conflicts can be accommodated with enough notice, and students will be allowed to attend alternate recitations.

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 still 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 5-6 hours per week over the course of the 6-week program

Program Policies

  • Because of the program’s small class sizes and limited capacity, program deposits are non-refundable (unless program is cancelled by Penn / Schoolyard Ventures). Final 50 percent payments are refundable until June 18th (end of week 1).

  • We expect students to attend their weekly recitations. However, students may miss two recitations with advance notice, and instructors will work with them to schedule a one-on-one makeup session.

  • Students who miss two or more sessions will not be eligible to receive a certificate.

  • Students will be assessed not based on the success or failure of their projects, but rather on the quality and quantity of their learning and their weekly progress.

  • While there are no formal grades in the program, students will be given feedback from instructors on a weekly basis regarding their progress. If an instructor believes a student is not meeting the expectations of the program, the instructor will inform the student and work with him/her to develop a plan for getting back on track. Our goal is for every admitted student to have a positive and beneficial experience in the program and earn a certificate.

  • We ask that students engage in pro-social behavior in their dealings with other students and program staff.


Questions? Contact Rich Sedmak @ 267-481-1696 or rich@schoolyardventures.com