There is a new hands-on learning experience at Dayspring Christian Academy thanks to the hard work from faculty, administrators, community members and a grant from The Weld Trust.
The Dayspring Coffee Shop, Cornerstone Coffee, is now a permanent space in the school. A place for students and faculty to gather and where students can learn how to run a business.
“The biggest thing is they see it all happening,” Alex Goffney, middle and high school business and science teacher said. “They have an idea and they see it happen. It’s inspiring to students when they see they can do this. We are giving them a place to relax and make connections.”
The student-run coffee shop gives students real-world experiences in business management, entrepreneurship, financial literacy and skills in customer service, teamwork and leadership.
This project aligns with The Weld Trust’s commitment to expanding access to quality education by providing students opportunities to apply learning in a real-world context. The skills students gain working at the coffee shop will also help with workplace readiness skills that employers are expecting.
Students can choose to work at the coffee shop after completing introduction to business. They earn a grade for their work during the first semester and can continue in the program for internship credit. Students manage marketing, communication and product development for the shop, while also handling accounting, inventory and purchasing. They even create seasonal drinks and promote their own menu items.
“Kids can use different gifts and talents to excel,” Debby Romey, Secondary Principal said. “This is our big push in the high school right now. Entrepreneurship tracks and critical thinking. Instead of being a critic they become creators.”
The high school coffee shop has inspired younger students. Middle schoolers who wanted to get involved created their own Italian soda shop and are modeling their business after the coffee shop.
Cornerstone Coffee is open during the school week from 7-8:30 a.m. and 3-4 p.m. as well as during special events at the school.