Work Based Learning
Work Based Learning gives students an opportunity to bring relevance to learning, explore career possibilities, and make informed decisions about their future career.
As part of the District Plan, all Hamilton students will graduate with career and life skills necessary to be informed consumers, skillful and productive workers, and active citizens.
Work Based Learning will develop and implement business partnerships offering Hamilton Community Schools students opportunities for real-world career explanation and skill building.
After approval from the Board of Education, 2027 Hamilton Community Schools graduates will be based on high school class credit and experiences. From fifth grade through senior year, all students will be exposed to Work Based Learning.
Additional information about Work Based Learning and answers to frequently asked questions.
A list of terms related to Work Based Learning and a description of what they mean.
Naviance is a platform that Hamilton uses for EDP completion, requesting transcripts, getting letters of recommendations, searching for colleges, applying to colleges, creating resumes, and completing reflections as it relates to Work Based Learning Experiences. An EDP is a series of tasks and activities, a portfolio of experiences, assessments, and goals related to a student's interests, abilities, and future plans.
An interactive list of all Work Based Learning opportunities for Hamilton Community Schools students.
Work Based Learning Stories
Hamilton High School’s Business Development class recently took an innovative approach to learning about pricing strategies and production efficiency. Mr. Meiste's students engaged in a hands-on activity using tennis balls to represent products, gaining insights into the cost of labor, quality control, and profitability.
The exercise involved eventually creating an assembly line, where students worked together to produce a "product" by dropping tennis balls into a bucket. The class split into two teams, each team assigning a manager to instruct the rest of the team. From one employee, to two, and eventually five, the teams found out where the sweet spot was as far as becoming profitable. Each ball that missed or failed to land in the bucket represented a defective product, illustrating the impact of quality issues on profitability.
“This activity really helped us understand the challenges of setting prices while managing costs and quality,” said senior Nathan Vriezema. “It was fun and eye-opening to see how small changes could make a big difference.”
The interactive lesson highlighted the complexities of real-world business operations, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, problem-solving, and strategic thinking. Activities like these provide students with practical knowledge and skills that will benefit them in future entrepreneurial endeavors.
Hamilton High School’s Business Development program continues to find creative ways to engage students, preparing them for success in the competitive business world.
Work Based Learning Contacts
Ashley Meyer
Work Based Learning/Experiential Learning Coordinator
ameyer@hamiltonschools.us
Mrs. Meyer can answer questions about business and community partnerships, district Work Based Learning opportunities and WBL curriculum.
Madeline Gentile
Business Department Teacher & Work Based Learning Advisor
mgentile@hamiltonschools.us
Mrs. Gentile can answer questions about Co-op, high school Work Based Learning opportunities, and Work Based Learning graduation requirements.
Mat Rehkopf
Director of Career, College & Innovative Programs
mlrehkop@hamiltonschools.us
Mr. Rehkopf can answer questions about curriculum.
Tennis Balls help Mr. Meiste's Business Development class learn about pricing and profitability December 9, 2024
Students form assembly lines to find out what is most profitable
5th Grade 'DIG IN!' Day gives students a look into the Skilled Trades December 9, 2024
Students learn about electrical, plumbing, HVAC, estimating, marketing, and everything in-between
Hamilton 6th graders explore Evoqua Water Technologies - Xylem through Work Based Learning September 17, 2024
"It's rare that students get an opportunity to see what a factory is really like."
From Business Owner to Hamilton High School HVAC Teacher, Meet Mr. Tom Burton September 11, 2024
As a successful business owner of 35 years, Mr. Burton is now learning a new role
