CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) is based on the successful program in Effingham, Illinois.  The CEO program:

• Is funded by business investors
• Is open to high school juniors and seniors
• Selects students through a rigorous application process
• Serves students from public and private high schools
• Meets for 90 minutes each day
• Provides 2 high school credits
• Utilizes area businesses as classrooms
• Visits 30-50 area businesses each year
• Hosts 30-40 guest speakers each year
• Emphasizes 21st century Learning skills
• Provides the opportunity for each student to start their own business
• Provides a mentor from the business community for each CEO student
• Hosts an annual trade show to showcase student businesses

Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities is a year-long course designed to utilize partnerships that provide an overview of business development and processes.

Our local business community partners with area schools to create project-based experiences for students by providing funding, expertise, meeting space, business tours, and one-on-one mentoring. Students visit area businesses, learn from guest speakers, participate in a class business, write business plans, and start and operate their own businesses. Business concepts learned through the experiential CEO class are critical; the 21st century skills of problem-solving, teamwork, self-motivation, responsibility, higher-order thinking, communication, and inquiry are at the heart of a student’s development throughout the course.