Kimberly, Wis. – March 23, 2022 – Kimberly High School (KHS) was recently named Community Partner of the Year by Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce and was honored at the chamber's Annual Awards Dinner held on March 10, 2022. The award acknowledges the school's newly added entrepreneurship program INCubatoredu.
INCubatoredu is a national program that offers an authentic entrepreneurship experience as students build a business in a semester-long course. Students trade out theory and simulation for real market experiences with processes that entrepreneurs use today. Teaching entrepreneurship in the classroom goes beyond teaching standard topics like marketing and accounting skills. INCubatoredu's unique learning environment provides students with access and networking opportunities to industry professionals.
With the help of the Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce, KHS enlisted over 30 local entrepreneurs and business experts to serve as volunteer coaches and mentors guiding student teams. The businesses built throughout the class are real, which means students experienced mistakes, took risks, and learned to pivot based on market needs. More importantly, coaches and mentors empowered students to identify opportunities, create solutions, and embrace failure and change.
"We greatly appreciate the Heart of the Valley Chamber and their continued support of this program," said Jackie DePeau, principal of Kimberly High School. "This collaboration, along with our teachers’ commitment provides our students with impactful situations that go beyond the classroom."
Along with Kimberly High School, the Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce recognized ten other well-deserving recipients in various categories during the celebration. Nearly 400 guests were in attendance, representing 100 different businesses from the community.
About the Kimberly Area School District
The Kimberly Area School District is a progressive public school district committed to providing the best possible education available to students. Its responsibility is to help lead the way in developing well-rounded students and future citizens. The District wants every student to be given the opportunity to reach their potential through academics, the arts and co-curricular activities. It encompasses approximately 17 square miles and serves over 5,100 students in one 4K center, four elementary schools (5K-4), two intermediate schools (5-6), one middle school (7-8) and one high school (9-12). To learn more about the Kimberly Area School District, call (920)788-7900 or visit www.kimberly.k12.wi.us.