Entrepreneurship & Business Academy

Students enrolled in the Academy will:

• successfully complete a sequential program of study that focuses on specific skills, knowledge and technology in the fields of entrepreneurship, business information technology and corporate finance;
• have opportunities to earn an associate degree/post-secondary credit;
• exceed the objectives of Virginia Beach City Public Schools curricula and the Commonwealth of Virginia Standards of Learning tests;
• participate in job shadowing, mentoring, and/or internship programs that extend, enrich, and refine student learning and create linkages with the academic and business communities; and
• complete a long-term project through an internship/mentorship experience with a culminating presentation and digital portfolio in the senior year featuring an in-depth study of an issue of related concern to their related industry and present ideas/solutions as viable options to address the issue to a panel of business and community leaders.

The Entrepreneurship and Business Academy reviews applications for acceptance from rising 9th and 10th grade students during the academy application window (typically October - January). For more information on the application process, visit the VBCPS Application Process page.

All students within the academy will complete a long-term project or senior internship. Through the senior internship, students will have the opportunity to spend instructional time working within the business-related field of their choice. The exposure to this on-the-job training experience will provide the student an opportunity to identify real-world application of curriculum content and experiences. The requirements of the internship will be the same for all students, but the methods to complete the internship may be different based on the strand and the student. The focus of the internship will be work-related experience, networking, and enhanced educational opportunities. Throughout the internship program, students will maintain an online blog about their experiences, reflections and connections to related coursework. The internship experience will culminate in a student presentation regarding an issue or concern addressed with the business they are working and the student's ability to provide solutions or ideas to assist the business in addressing that concern. This presentation will be delivered by the student, and the members of the community, business and school will be present to provide feedback and show support for the student's work through the project. Academy staff will be extensively involved in the required internship program. Both the academy counselor and academy coordinator will actively seek partnerships with business and community leaders that will lead to internship and mentorship opportunities for students within the academy.

The Entrepreneurship and Business Academy at Kempsville High School will purposefully partner with parents and the community to support student achievement, aspirations and social-emotional development. Sustaining and creating partnerships within the local, state and national business community is imperative for the success of this academy. Through these partnerships, students will have the opportunities for increased career awareness, exploration and experience as well as establish meaningful connections between what students are learning in school and its application beyond the classroom. Babson College is ranked #1 in Entrepreneurship by the U.S. News and World Report, Heidi Neck, Professor of Entrepreneurship at Babson College has written a letter in support of Virginia Beach City Public Schools pursuing an academy with a focus on entrepreneurship and business. In her letter, Heidi states, “Entrepreneurship in the K-12 space is the next frontier for entrepreneurship education and the value generated form an entrepreneurship academy will far exceed expectations. Entrepreneurship education gives high school students that edge-a type of differentiation that all stakeholders should embrace.” There is also local support from Old Dominion University for the development of this program, Nancy Grden, Executive Director at the Old Dominion University Strome Entrepreneurial Center, states that “ODU shares your (Virginia Beach City Public Schools) vision to align with the region’s economic development and entrepreneurial needs.” ODU has established an Entrepreneurial Learning Community for incoming freshmen and adopted Babson College’s entrepreneurial curriculum. It is evident from the letters of support from higher education institutions and business partners that this academy will provide exciting and needed opportunities for students. The following is a list of partnerships that have been established:

Note: If you are interested in partnering with the academy and providing unique, exciting opportunities for students, contact Academy Coordinator Meghan Timlin at meghan.timlin@vbschools.com.

Through our partnership with Tidewater Community College, students enrolled in the EBA will have the opportunity to pursue an associate's degree in Business Administration while in high school. More information about this opportunity is available during information nights and to students and families once enrolled in the EBA.

#EBAPROUD

Life as a student in the EBA provides tremendous opportunities:

• Master Classes – Students participate in after-school sessions to learn straight from successful, local entrepreneurs once a week.
• Community Service – Students in the academy possess a service-based mindset and complete at least 100 community service hours by the time of graduation.
• Field Trips – EBA students are always on the go exploring businesses or attending presentations at local colleges and universities.
• Joining DECA, FBLA, TSA, and National Business Honor Society – EBA students have the opportunity to join business and marketing clubs for four years while in high school.
• Enhanced Learning Spaces – EBA students are provided a learning environment that is conducive to entrepreneurship and business studies and activities that includes a MakerSpace, Seminar Space, Conference Room and Hallways that provide opportunities for collaboration.

Friends of the EBA

Parents have a role in the EBA through a parent booster organization called the Friends of the EBA.