In early-2017, a group of business leaders and educators saw the value of creating a consortium among the local public school districts to provide greater opportunities for students. By the end of 2017, St. Charles County Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) was formed so districts could partner to provide hands-on learning experiences to students who attend one of the five St. Charles County school districts.
The St. Charles County CAPS program provides juniors and seniors with career-oriented experiences through real-world business immersion. These experiences provide students with insights that guide their future studies and careers and ensures that what they are learning in the classroom is relevant to the workforce.
In partnership with local businesses and communities, St. Charles County CAPS seeks to provide students post-secondary options aligned to their passions and strengths. In the CAPS program, students fast forward into their future – they are immersed in a professional culture, solving real-world problems, using industry tools and are mentored by real employers.
CAPS is a half-day program with the remainder of the day spent at the student’s home school. The typical morning CAPS session is from 7:30 to 10 a.m. and the afternoon session is usually from noon to 2:30 p.m.
Current strands include:
- Global Business/Entrepreneurship
- Healthcare Academy
- Technology Solutions