Entrepreneurial Leadership Becomes a Focus at Springside Chestnut Hill

Students at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy are being taught more than core subjects. With the help of a $5 million donation from Urban Outfitters CEO Dick Hayne, also a board member of the school, students will be learning the skills that can make them into entrepreneurs and future leaders.

The donation went to aid the launching of SCHA’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL). The curriculum of the center will focus not only on the standard subjects of English, math, sciences, history and languages, but focus on new horizons- teaching engineering, new media, entrepreneurship, public speaking, philosophy, statistics, and international partnerships.

“Fueled by the power of possibility, we are preparing our students for their future success.  Education as it has been delivered for the past two centuries is no longer sufficient. Through the CEL, students will acquire the modern competencies they need to meet with success in college and in future careers. In the world of secondary education in which most institutions offer different-flavored versions of essentially the same educational product, the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership will truly distinguish our graduates," President of SCHA Priscilla Sands told parents.

According to a press release from the school, students will actually be able to learn from some of the top entrepreneurs in the country, including Hayne and other well-known business leaders.

The program has gained praise from univeristies, including the Wharton Business School at University of Pennsylvania. John R. Kimberly, professor of Entrepreneurial Management at Wharton, said, “SCH Academy is embarking on a very exciting, truly path-breaking initiative that will help redefine the scope, content, and delivery of secondary education for years to come.”