REAL Enterprises

REAL Enterprises are non-profit organizations at the state and national level that support educational institutions as they implement the REAL Entrepreneurship course. The national REAL and state REAL organizations partner with participating schools and provide curriculum materials, on-site support, instructor training, technical assistance and evaluations.

REAL's comprehensive program provides concrete ways to provide school-based learning, connecting activities and work-based learning. Specifically, REAL's use of experiential learning helps students develop critical thinking and life skills (ranging from working in teams and problem solving to communicating effectively and using technology) they will need regardless of their career choices. Our Community Support Teams (a group of entrepreneurs, small business assistance professionals and community leaders who serve as mentors for students and colleagues for REAL teachers) established by each implementing school serve as the link between the classroom and "the real world." Students engaged in the REAL business planning process must interact with the local business community in a variety of ways, including mentoring, field trips and job shadowing. Finally, a focus on the planning, creation and operation of actual enterprises gives students hands-on experience in all aspects of running a small business. REAL students can start enterprises independent of the school, or REAL can be used to enrich learning through school-based or school-sponsored enterprises.