Partner for Success: Businesses and Public Schools
You’ve heard the mantra: Strong schools, strong communities. Building strong relationships between schools and businesses is mutually beneficial. Fostering a connection can create systemic support that brings value to all parties, including better student outcomes and a more robust workforce. We’ve compiled a list of 15 ways schools and businesses can partner for success—no matter the type of organization or industry.
Sometimes, schools take leadership in organizing, sourcing, and sustaining partnerships. Employers and local Chambers of Commerce can also take the lead. Either way, think big and small—and focus on mutual benefit. Strong relationships are built over time, with a focus on a common goal. Leverage existing relationships— through parents, extended family members, staff, and alums. Here’s a list of 15 ways your organization might partner with your local public schools in a way that also brings value to your business.
1. Career Development and Mentoring
2. Job Shadowing
3. Volunteer Opportunities
4. Community Service
5. Health and Wellness Support
6. Environmental Stewardship
7. Technology Support
8. Professional Development
9. Partnerships with Parent-Teacher Organizations
10. Facilities and Equipment Use
11. Event Sponsorship
12 Fundraiser Support
13. Discounts and Rewards
14. Donating Supplies and Materials
15. Scholarships and Financial Aid
1. Career Development and Mentoring
Millions of students enter the workforce each year after high school graduation—a number that has fluctuated and increased since the pandemic as college enrollment has dropped. To ensure this new workforce has valuable, real-world skills, businesses can partner with schools to offer students opportunities for career exploration, development, and mentoring opportunities. This could include internships, training, job shadowing, or career days where students can learn about different industries and professions.
We love how Princeton Public Schools (MN) has integrated Tiger Career Academies into their high school experience. The goal is for every student to graduate with an industry credential, certification, workplace experience, college credit, internship, or mentorship. Local Princeton businesses are hiring skilled, motivated workers straight out of high school.
Benefits: Businesses have the opportunity to build relationships and try-out potential future employees, while schools can provide students with valuable real-world experience and insights into different career paths.
2. Job Shadowing & Vocational Training
What is a day in your job really like? High schools can’t provide in-depth training in every field, but a job shadowing opportunity can help students understand unique jobs and the skills they’ll need to succeed in the workforce. This could involve pairing students with employees in their field of interest, allowing them to learn about different career paths and plan their future educational and career goals.
Don’t miss this: Osseo Area Schools (MN) partners with local businesses to ensure that students with disabilities can successfully transition from school to work through community-based vocational training. Business partners help design projects for vocational training and often provide jobs for these students upon graduation.
Benefits: Businesses can develop a pipeline of friendly, motivated future employees while students receive valuable insights into potential career paths.
3. Volunteer Opportunities
It takes a village, and there are always opportunities to volunteer in your local public schools on a one-time or ongoing basis. You can serve as a guest speaker, offer tutoring assistance, participate in a school event, or sign up for any number of existing opportunities.
How might reading a book to elementary students help your business? Beyond immediate benefits (it’s fun!), familiarizing yourself with local schools and the opportunities available to students can help you find other ways to partner, and make valuable connections. Providing employees paid time to visit their child’s school also strengthens families and supports employee well-being.
It’s easy: Like Robbinsdale Area Schools (MN), many public schools have a volunteer coordinator who makes volunteer service simple. Visit local school web pages or reach out to determine how you can best make a difference in your community.
Benefits: Businesses can improve their reputation within the community by demonstrating a commitment to children and education, while schools receive much-needed support from volunteers.
4. Community Service
How does your business give back to your community? If you’re searching for a new way to support the local community, consider partnering with schools on community service projects. This can involve sponsoring volunteer days or offering employees as volunteers for community programs such as neighborhood cleanups or food drives.
Don’t miss this: ICA (MN) opened ‘market and resource centers’ inside local schools to ensure local students and families who are struggling with food insecurity have the resources they need to thrive.
Benefits: Businesses can demonstrate a commitment to their community and build goodwill, while schools can provide students with opportunities to participate in community service and develop a sense of civic responsibility.
5. Health and Wellness Support
In the days or weeks leading up to big “testing windows,” many schools offer extra health and wellness support for students. Consider signing up to provide a healthy snack or meal, offering a fitness class, hosting a booth at a health fair, supporting a school therapy dog, or any other wellness initiative.
Benefits: Businesses can improve their reputation within the community by demonstrating a commitment to health and well-being. At the same time, schools can provide students with valuable resources to support physical and mental health.
6. Environmental Stewardship
Businesses can partner with schools to promote environmental stewardship and sustainability. This could include sponsoring recycling programs, supporting the use of renewable energy, supporting the creation of an urban garden or outdoor classroom, or offering educational programs on topics such as climate change and conservation.
Benefits: Businesses can improve their reputation within the community by demonstrating a commitment to environmental responsibility, while schools can provide students with the opportunity to explore nature and learn about the importance of conservation and environmental stewardship.
7. Technology Support
Technology is ever-evolving, and providing students with a cutting-edge education requires the latest equipment, software, and technical expertise. What technology know-how would ensure new hires are successful in your organization?
Many K-12 schools participate in an “Hour of Code” each December. Technology impacts every industry, and the future of every business will rely on tech-savvy creators and consumers. Volunteer to help students think logically, learn about algorithms, and persist through problem-solving. Our friends at Bloomington Public Schools are leading the way in Minnesota with their Computer Science for All curriculum (K-8) and advanced computer science courses (9-12). Hosting panel discussions and partnering with businesses and nonprofits, they are expanding our understanding of computer science and its importance to all businesses. New Code Academy is Bloomington’s Virtual School, offering a computer science focus for any Minnesota student.
Benefits: Businesses can ensure their incoming workforce has relevant, real-world knowledge, while schools receive valuable support to enhance their technology capabilities.
8. Professional Development
Whether it’s a start-of-year convocation speech or hour-long professional in-services, teachers and school staff appreciate valuable, applicable professional development opportunities. Support the quality of instruction in your local schools by sponsoring a speaker or offering a workshop on technology skills or business strategies. Offering pro-bono workshops around the eight dimensions of wellness can strengthen resilience of teachers and staff, support the school district’s employee wellness program, and reach a potential customer-base. Inviting teachers to work for your business over the summer months provides a valuable employee for your business and keeps local teachers in tune with the workforce demands and skills their students will need as graduates.
Benefits: Businesses gain exposure to potential customers, while schools receive valuable training and support for their teachers.
9. Partnerships with Parent-Teacher Organizations
Partner with parent-teacher associations to provide support for school initiatives and events. Donate prizes for a raffle, provide resources or volunteers for a school carnival, lend some hands to decorate for homecoming—many hands make light work, and make a real difference for students.
Benefits: Businesses gain exposure to potential customers, make valuable connections, and foster goodwill, while PTAs receive much-needed support for school initiatives and events.
10. Facilities and Equipment Use
Businesses can offer the use of their facilities or equipment to local schools. This could include allowing schools to use meeting rooms, gymnasiums, or other event spaces. Providing access to specialized equipment such as scientific instruments or technical tools relieves local high schools of the need to purchase equipment or short-term lessons. For example, engineers might host field trips to demonstrate catapults, pulleys, or rocket science for elementary students — thus igniting interest in STEM fields at a young age.
Benefits: Businesses can support students in gaining real-world experience, while schools receive access to facilities and equipment that can enhance the learning experience for students.
11. Event Sponsorship
One of the simplest ways businesses can support local schools is by sponsoring events and programs. This could include funding sports teams, music programs, or academic competitions. In exchange for their support, businesses can receive recognition in school newsletters, on social media, or at events.
If you’re familiar with the excitement of Scholastic book fairs, you’ll know there’s nothing better—and nothing more disappointing for students who don’t have money to spend. Consider opportunities like sponsoring the next Scholastic book fair and ensure every student walks away with at least one book. Your support can make any event more successful and equitable for all students.
Benefits: Businesses gain exposure and goodwill, while schools receive much-needed financial support for programs or activities.
12. Fundraiser Support
Support school fundraising efforts by donating a portion of sales from designated products or services. For example, a restaurant could donate a percentage of its proceeds on a certain day to a local school, or a retail store could donate a portion of sales from a specific product line.
Look for opportunities to pair fundraising with a showcase. For example, local restaurants may offer art nights— students create artwork to be displayed on a certain night, and a portion of all proceeds from sales that evening are donated to the school.
Hire a high school choir ensemble or string quartet to perform at your next event. A small donation or honorarium might be a business write-off, and you can provide talented students extra performance experiences — beyond their school stage.
Benefits: Businesses draw in customers, showcase local talent, and provide school programs with much-needed financial support.
13. Discounts and Rewards
Consider offering discounts or rewards to students who achieve academic success or participate in extracurricular activities. This can help to motivate students and encourage them to work hard in school. Don’t forget students who make a valuable contribution through community service!
Benefits: Businesses may draw in potential customers, while schools provide students with tangible incentives for academic success and participation in extracurricular activities.
14. Donating Supplies and Materials
Schools often struggle with limited budgets, making it difficult to provide students with the necessary resources to succeed. Businesses can help by donating supplies and materials such as textbooks, technology equipment, or art supplies.
Reading School District (PA) ensures that no student goes without basic needs. Their Knight’s Closet program offers basic school supplies, hygiene items, and clothing to students in need. Business partners can donate supplies to ensure no student goes without basic necessities.
Benefits: Businesses gain goodwill from the community, while schools receive much-needed resources that can improve the learning experience for students.
15. Scholarships and Financial Aid
Businesses can support families who are struggling financially by offering scholarships or financial aid. This can help ensure that all students can succeed, regardless of their financial circumstances. Some extracurricular and athletic activities come with particularly steep entry fees (hockey, anyone?), so offering financial aid or equipment can help level the playing field for all students.
Benefits: Businesses gain goodwill from the community and demonstrate a commitment to education and equity, while students receive much-needed financial support to pursue their academic and athletic goals.
There are many ways local businesses can partner with public schools to impact their communities. Whether offering financial assistance, time, or expertise, these partnerships benefit businesses, schools, and the students they serve. Working together, businesses and schools can create stronger, more vibrant communities where students can thrive and become stronger, more successful, and integral members of your community and workforce.
Published on: April 13, 2023