Entrepreneurship Diploma Students Shine with Social Impact and Innovation

The Village School is proud to announce that its student-led social impact project, Step-In, has received an $8,000 grant from Nord Anglia Education’s Social Impact Grants. Created by students in the Entrepreneurship Diploma program, Step-In is transforming the educational experience for English as an Additional Language (EAL) students in Houston through peer mentorship and innovative tools. The grant will support the implementation of their comprehensive 2025 business plan, which focuses on empowering EAL students by pairing them with trained high school mentors. This initiative not only bridges language gaps but also fosters cultural understanding and community integration.

The grant funding is being strategically allocated to ensure the project’s success. Key initiatives include recruiting and training student volunteers, many of whom are being certified in EAL techniques and cultural sensitivity to provide effective mentorship. Partnerships with local organizations such as Catholic Charities and PAIR Houston are helping Step-In reach refugee and international students in need of support, while the development of the Step-In app is central to the program’s rollout. This innovative platform will streamline mentorship sessions, track mentee progress, and offer multilingual resources and instructional videos tailored to the needs of EAL learners. A series of engagement events and promotional campaigns are also planned throughout the year to raise awareness and expand the program’s reach.

By mid-2025, Step-In aims to launch mentor-mentee sessions supported by a digital ecosystem of resources. Community events and a public awareness campaign will further promote the program, while feedback from participants will guide refinements to ensure the platform is user-friendly and impactful. The year will conclude with a live showcase event celebrating the project’s success, highlighting progress data, personal stories from mentees and mentors, and a recognition ceremony for volunteers. Looking ahead, Step-In plans to expand its reach to underserved neighborhoods, enhance its app with new features, and secure additional sponsorship to sustain its mission.

In addition to this achievement, The Village School’s Entrepreneurship Department recently hosted its second annual Startup Pitch Competition at The Cannon, Brittmoore Rd, with over 100 attendees. Students from The Village School and Carnegie High School presented innovative business ideas to a panel of industry leaders, including the Managing Director of the ION Prototyping Lab and successful startup founders. The event showcased the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of students, with awards for Best Overall Business Idea going to Compost Heroes and Best Business Design to Tush Kush. Congratulations to the winners and all participants for their outstanding work, and a heartfelt thanks to the judges and sponsors for supporting the next generation of innovators and changemakers!

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