How the Three-Way Partnership Works

REAL programs utilize a three-way partnership that involves the school, the community and the REAL organization. Schools provide an instructor and administrative support. The instructor is also backed with adequate planning and preparation time. This provides a high quality educational experience for the students. The community provides mentors and advisors who serve on the REAL community support team. Most of these individuals will represent businesses and business service providers. They serve as a source of learning and research for the students. Finally, REAL provides high quality curriculum and resource materials for the program. REAL also provides ongoing professional development, support and networking for instructors. We provide support to student entrepreneurs and, in some cases, are able to provide start-up funding for entrepreneurial projects. Ongoing evaluation of the program is also provided by REAL.

REAL provides experiential courses in entrepreneurship for credit in high schools and post-secondary institutions. REAL I involves business planning, while REAL II focuses on small business management. Student enterprises “graduate” with them. Microenterprises, home-based businesses and community services have been developed by REAL graduates. Some example businesses include computer sales and service, pet-sitting, pressure washing, furniture and cabinet-making, espresso stands, peer counseling, recycling and secretarial services.

Students must asses their personal strengths and weaknesses. By analyzing their community, they are able to identify business ideas that meet the needs of their area. From this, they research and write their own business plans, many of which come to fruition as they explore entrepreneurship through shadowing and mentoring.