You must really be committed to becoming a successful entrepreneur if you’re willing to stand in front of a group of business and community members and present your business project. Especially when you’re still in high school. An ambitious group of grade 12 students at San Leandro High School recently made such presentations as part of the school’s Academy for Business and Finance.

A partnership between public education and the local business community, the academy is a three-year program that provides academic and technical training to prepare students for higher education and the work force. The program’s partnership with local businesses enriches the business curriculum by providing insight into the training necessary for success in business. Guest speakers, field trips, mentors and employment opportunities help to make it a unique program. Students also have the opportunity to purchase, market and sell products by starting and operating their own business. Student Nicole Pabilona says the academy made her consider the fact that she can start a small business venture of her own.

Student Paulina Maravilla believes the academy has impacted her life in many ways. “I have better speaking and presentation skills, and I have been able to express my love of business and competition in a healthy way,” she says. “I also have a better appreciation for the free enterprise system that America offers us.”

Mary Styner has been a business instructor for the academy for the last nine years. “I think students need to be connected to something and the program gives them that,” she says. “The students that graduate  our program have a plan to continue their education and go on to a career,” she adds. Styner attributes the program’s success to the fact that it is a smaller group that provides more attention and accountability. “The students have a lot more accountability than in larger groups,” she says.
Starting in grade ten, students interested in entering the academy program must complete the application process, which includes a personal interview, teacher recommendations and a writing sample. Students should be willing to make a three-year commitment and will study English, science, world history, and marketing with a strong focus on entrepreneurship. Students also learn about general business practices and advance their skills with computer applications. 
In grade twelve, students apply the business concepts they have learned to real world situations. The senior year course also emphasizes business management and life skills such as budgeting, credit and taxes.  As in Grade 11, students are also given an opportunity to participate in a work experience program.  In conjunction with the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship, students learn how to write a business plan and present their plan to business professionals. 
Upon graduation, students receive a Certificate of Achievement from the academy in addition to their high school diploma. Students may also receive credit at Chabot and/or Los Positas Community College for course work taken at San Leandro High School.
“What does it take to work in a business? How can I create my own business? How can I make it succeed? The Academy does an excellent job of answering these questions for our young people and we are proud to support this important program,” says Dave Johnson, president & CEO of the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce. “We know there are business leaders of tomorrow right here in San Leandro.”

Johnson encourages local business leaders to volunteer their time to evaluate the students' business projects as well as to serve as mentors for our new entrepreneurs: “You will bring real-world experience and offer encouragement and a sense of possibility to the members of the Academy,” he says.

Corina Lopez of the Latino Business Council in San Leandro says one of its members will volunteer as a mentor in the business academy program, which is still in need of several more mentors. Mary Styner says the time commitment for mentors is one hour a month. “It really is a way to impact a life positively,” she says. “If you want to make a difference, give it a try.” Business people interested in mentoring the students can contact Mary Styner at 510-618-4600, extension 2233 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .