Q: What is CAPS?
A: Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) is a nationally recognized, innovative high school program. Students fast forward into their future and are fully immersed in a professional culture, solving real world problems, using industry standard tools and are mentored by actual employers, all while receiving high school and college credit. CAPS is an example of how business, community and public education can partner to produce personalized learning experiences that educate the workforce of tomorrow, especially in high skill, high demand jobs.
Q: Is CAPS a trade school or vocational program?
A: No. CAPS provides students the opportunity to deeply explore professional areas of interest through a profession-based, inquiry learning method. CAPS is driven by the changing workforce needs of industry, therefore instructors and CAPS business partners collaborate to develop coursework. CAPS curriculum is dynamic, constantly evolving to follow industry trends and market changes using a copyrighted rapid prototyping curriculum development process.
Q: What is the key difference between St. Charles County CAPS and regular high school?
A: St. Charles County CAPS is a profession‐based learning approach where students are fully immersed in the business community, treated as professionals and participate in real projects, using industry standard tools with real business partners. Students will gain professional skills in high demand/high skill careers. Students will begin their professional network with business partners and mentors, therefore jump‐starting their career all before they enter college.
Q: How do colleges/universities view CAPS students?
A: While each institution has different admission standards, showing the ability to complete real-world interdisciplinary projects is proving to differentiate CAPS students on college, university, and scholarship applications.
Q: What type of credit can be received from a CAPS course?
A: CAPS courses offer high school credit. The type of credit is determined by the home school district. College credit (dual credit) is available through Lindenwood University for the Professional Skills Boot Camp and the Professional Experiences (Internships or Observation Rotations).
Q: What is the schedule in the CAPS program?
A: CAPS courses meet 5 days a week for both semesters. The AM session runs from 7:30 AM – 10 AM and the PM session runs from 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM. The classrooms are held at off-site business locations.
Q: What strands will be offered for the 2020 – 2021 school year?
A: Global Business/Entrepreneurship, Healthcare, Technology Solutions – IT, and Technology Solutions – Creative Media.
Q: How many high school credits are earned for CAPS?
A: 1.5 credits per semester (3 credits for the entire school year)
Q: How much does it cost?
A: Tuition for the program is paid by the student’s home district and is around $3,600 per student.
Q: Is transportation provided?
A: No. Student/family must provide transportation to and from the off-campus CAPS sites.
Q: Where will I go for classes?
A: Global Business/Entrepreneurship – Stauder Technologies (4 days per week) and EDC (one day per week)
Healthcare – Classroom location varies by the day of the week in St. Charles County. Associates also go to BJC & SSM hospitals in St. Charles County
Technology Solutions – Lewis & Clark Career Center
Q: How will are students graded in CAPS?
A: Instructors will provide detailed syllabus with expectations. Students are graded on project work, assessments, and professional skills (includes attendance and dress code).
Q: What is the dress code?
A: Students will dress business casual every day, unless otherwise specified by the instructor regarding project work.
Q: What if a student does not like the program once they begin?
A: Students can withdraw from the program within the first 10 school days.
Q: To enroll, what are the requirements?
A: Students interested in the CAPS program need to:
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- attain junior or senior status (based on high school credits)
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- desire to work in a profession-based, real-world environment with other high school students
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- be willing to comply with business ethics (e.g. attendance) and dress codes determined by the type of CAPS study they are involved in
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- be willing to spend 4 class periods a day away from their home high school
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- be able to provide their own transportation to CAPS business partner sites
- have a passion for the CAPS strand area of focus/study
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