2025-2026 Session 5 Newsletter

Young Entrepreneurs at Work

A 4 minute read,

Session 5 felt energetic in the studio with the buzz of our Children's Business Fair approaching. Across every age group, learners stepped into the role of entrepreneur. Ideas turned into products, questions turned into decisions, and for many, their work began to feel real beyond the studio walls.

Explore the latest updates from our Studio Blog, designed for families and prospective members. Click here to dive in:

Sparks Elementary  Middle School / LaunchPad

Sparks Studio: Where Big Ideas Begin

In our youngest studio, Sparks, entrepreneurship started with imagination. Learners explored what it means to create something others might love through mini markets, hands-on play, and simple buying and selling. Counting money, giving change, and thinking about customers became part of their daily rhythm.

At the same time, they continued building a strong studio culture. Sparks earned Kindness Points for actions like helping a friend, showing focus, or including others, which were added to a shared Kindness Jar. This session, the jar was filled completely and led to a studio celebration, reinforcing the idea that small daily choices shape the kind of community they are part of.

Each day followed a steady rhythm, with focused Core work in the mornings, involving differentiated reading, writing, and math worksheets; and afternoons opening into discovery, storytelling, and hands-on exploration. Whether building sentences with word blocks, mapping Europe, or experimenting with motion and energy, learning stayed active and meaningful.

Elementary Studio: From Ideas to Action

In the Elementary Studio, entrepreneurship is in full action as learners prepare their businesses for the Children’s Business Fair.

It began with a lemonade stand, where Eagles worked together to run a real business. They made decisions about pricing, adjusted based on results, and experienced how small choices affect outcomes. That experience is now shaping the businesses they are building.

In Writer’s Workshop, those ideas took form as learners designed logos, developed products, and crafted pitches. Each Eagle is preparing something they will soon present to the public, taking ownership of both the process and the final product.

Their study of Civilizations added another layer of depth. Eagles explored Ancient Egypt, Greece, explored a story from The Odyssey, Greek mythology, and Babylon, while beginning to connect how decisions made long ago still shape the world we live in today.

Bring a Buddy Day was one of the highlights of our session! Our learners invited friends for a full day at Acton East Bay, and our Eagles stepped naturally into leadership roles; guiding their guests through the rhythm of the studio. They pitched creative and sometimes hilarious product ideas, including one group that turned a dry-erase marker into a hairbrush, and invited their buddies into art and collaborative work. We’re proud of how they took responsibility for the day and created something memorable for their guests.

Middle School & LaunchPad: Building for the Real World

In Middle School and LaunchPad, the work raised the stakes as learners moved beyond ideas into execution.

They built real business websites, developed their products, and created drip email campaigns designed to guide potential customers toward a purchase. These ideas were then put to the test in a Shark Tank-style pitch experience, where learners presented, received feedback, and refined their approach.

At the same time, they were strengthening how they communicate. Through blog writing and ongoing content creation, learners explored how voice, clarity, and storytelling shape the way ideas are received, making intentional decisions about how to connect with an audience.

They also took meaningful ownership of their learning in Civilizations. After recognizing gaps in how the system was working, learners brought thoughtful feedback to their guide and collaborated to create clearer structures and expectations. The result was stronger accountability and a system built with learners at the center.

That ownership is now extending beyond the studio.

Our LaunchPad learners are currently in Rome, walking through the Vatican, standing beneath the Sistine Chapel, and making their way to Florence. Along the way, they are navigating travel, experiencing history firsthand, and enjoying plenty of gelato and pasta. This experience was planned by the learners themselves and is now unfolding in real time, a powerful example of learning that extends far beyond the classroom.

Studio Experiences Beyond the Classroom

This session extended well beyond the studio walls, giving learners opportunities to connect their work to the real world.

During our Walnut Creek field trip, learners visited local businesses and observed how they operate, serve customers, select a business location, and present their products. These experiences gave learners a clearer picture of what it takes to bring an idea into the marketplace. Our trip also included the special opportunity to attend a memorable theatrical production of " The Sword in the Stone" at the Lescher Center for the Arts.

Ananas Bakery, Broadway Plaza, & Apple Store, Walnut Creek.

Gotts Roadside, Walnut Creek

In the gym, learners had the space to move, compete, and collaborate in our 26,000 sq ft gymnasium. They played badminton, volleyball, soccer, and frisbee, and even designed their own team-based relay races. The energy was high, and so was the sense of teamwork and ownership.

Music also played an important role in the studio. With Mr. Elijah, a talented pianist, learners explored rhythm, pitch, and key while learning how to read musical notes. Through both practice and music appreciation, they have fun while creating a deeper understanding of how music works.

Children’s Business Fair: Coming Soon!

Across every studio, learners have now pitched their business ideas and are preparing to bring them to life.

They have wrestled with pricing, product design, customer experience, and how to clearly communicate their value. Now, they are getting ready to test those ideas in the real world.

On May 2nd, the Children’s Business Fair will give learners the opportunity to step forward, take risks, and experience what happens when their work meets real customers. It is one of the most meaningful moments of the year, and we hope you will join us to see what they have created. You can find more details here.

Logos created by our Elementary Learners for their businesses.

Looking Ahead

Moments like the Children’s Business Fair remind us what young people are capable of when they are given real responsibility.

At the same time, our community continues to grow as more families seek something different for their children. They are looking for an environment that goes beyond academics, where character, leadership, and ownership are developed alongside strong skills, and where young people are challenged to grow into capable and curious individuals.

If that resonates with someone you know, we invite them to come experience it firsthand.

Our next Open House will be held on April 25, 2026, from 10 am to 2 pm. You can find more details here.