A transformative partnership between forward-thinking companies and exceptional high school students — forging the next generation of executives, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders.
Named in honor of Jan Amos Komenský · Educator, Visionary, Father of Modern Pedagogy
Jan Amos Komenský believed every student deserved access to the highest knowledge — regardless of origin. This program carries that belief into the boardroom.
The Komensky Leadership Academy (KLA) is a structured, sponsor-driven leadership development program housed at the historic Komensky School. It bridges the gap between traditional education and executive-level professional formation, creating a pipeline of business-ready graduates who arrive at college or the workforce with real skills, real relationships, and real credentials.
Each student is individually sponsored by a local company, which provides mentorship, a dedicated unpaid internship placement, and the opportunity to co-develop future talent aligned with their industry. Students attend KLA up to three days per week, receiving both high school credit and post-secondary (dual enrollment) credit simultaneously.
Omnes, omnia, omnino — All people should learn all things thoroughly.
— Jan Amos Komenský, Didactica Magna, 1638This is not a vocational track or an elective enrichment program. The Komensky Leadership Academy is a rigorous, academically recognized, professionally embedded education experience — one that treats high school students as the emerging executives they have the potential to become.
Every element of the Academy is designed to develop a complete leader: intellectually sharp, ethically grounded, and professionally ready.
Curriculum drawn from executive MBA frameworks — strategy, decision-making, organizational behavior, financial literacy, and ethical leadership adapted for high school learners.
Each student is individually matched with a sponsoring company from the local business community, creating a lasting mentorship bond and internship experience tailored to the company's industry.
Students earn both high school graduation credit and transferable post-secondary college credit, entering higher education with a meaningful academic head start.
Classes are held at the architecturally significant Komensky School — a purposeful environment that instills institutional pride, community connection, and respect for educational heritage.
Students from area high schools form a diverse cohort, expanding their peer network beyond a single school. Collaboration, peer coaching, and group capstone projects are central to the model.
An unpaid internship at the sponsoring company runs concurrently with academic coursework, allowing students to apply concepts in real business environments alongside working professionals.
Twelve core competency domains, delivered through lectures, case studies, simulations, and project-based learning — all facilitated by a combination of master educators and visiting executives.
Guest Executive Series: Each month, a sponsoring company executive leads a 90-minute "Leadership Masterclass" — sharing real decisions, real failures, and real lessons from their career. Students submit questions in advance and receive a follow-up reflection assignment.
Students attend KLA up to three days per week, each day serving a distinct developmental purpose. The remaining days are spent at their home high school.
| Day | Focus | Activities | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 Monday or Tuesday |
Academic Core | Structured curriculum instruction, case study discussions, guest executive lectures, reading seminars, and academic assessments tied to post-secondary credit standards. | Komensky School — Classroom |
| Day 2 Wednesday |
Applied Skills | Workshops in communication, financial modeling, project management tools, simulations, peer coaching, and collaborative team projects. Periodic field visits to sponsor companies. | Komensky School — Workshop Space |
| Day 3 Thursday or Friday |
Internship Day | Full-day immersive placement at the sponsoring company. Students shadow, contribute to projects, attend meetings (as permitted), and maintain a professional reflection journal reviewed by their faculty advisor. | Sponsor Company Site |
KLA operates in close coordination with each student's home high school counselor. Credit equivalencies are established before enrollment, ensuring students remain on track for graduation requirements without scheduling conflicts.
The Academy follows a two-semester academic year aligned with area school calendars, with an optional summer intensive available to graduating seniors preparing for college or early career transition. Cohort size: 12–24 students per year.
KLA is structured to fulfill both high school graduation requirements and accredited post-secondary coursework, in partnership with a community college or university partner.
Students earn elective and core credit applicable toward high school graduation. Credit categories include Business & Entrepreneurship, Social Studies (Civics/Economics), English (Communication), and Computer Science/Technology.
Credit awards are negotiated annually with each participating school district's curriculum coordinator.
Up to 3.0 Credits / YearIn partnership with a dual-enrollment community college or university, students earn transferable college credit. Applicable courses include Introduction to Business, Organizational Leadership, Business Communications, and Principles of Management.
Credits transfer to most 2- and 4-year institutions, saving students tuition and time upon enrollment.
Up to 9 College Credits / YearTranscript Recognition: Students receive an official KLA transcript documenting their coursework, competencies achieved, and internship hours — a document designed to accompany college applications and early career portfolios. Graduates who complete the full program receive the Komenský Leadership Certificate, signed by the program director and the sponsoring company's executive leadership.
Every student in KLA is individually sponsored by a local company. This is not a collective donation — it is a one-to-one relationship between a business and a young person.
Sponsoring companies invest in the program by providing an internship placement and active mentorship. In exchange, they receive first access to motivated, trained young talent; industry goodwill; employee engagement opportunities; and the tangible satisfaction of investing in the community that supports their business.
Sponsoring a student costs companies nothing but time and access — the internship is unpaid, and participation is a commitment of engagement, not a financial contribution. Optional monetary contributions support program infrastructure, scholarships for travel and materials, and facility maintenance at Komensky School.
KLA is a shared endeavor. Its success depends on the clear, committed involvement of five stakeholder groups — each with distinct responsibilities and distinct benefits.
The Komensky Leadership Academy is designed for motivated students who demonstrate leadership potential — not just academic perfection. Selection is holistic and opportunity-minded.
Students must be enrolled in grades 10, 11, or 12 at a participating area high school. A minimum GPA of 2.75 is required, though demonstrated leadership, initiative, or community involvement can offset academic record. Students must have reliable transportation to Komensky School and the sponsor company site.
Priority consideration is given to first-generation college students, students from underrepresented communities in business, and students who have shown entrepreneurial or civic initiative outside the classroom.
Students submit a short written application including a personal statement on a leader they admire and why, a letter of recommendation from a teacher or community figure, and an optional portfolio of any leadership, work, or creative experience.
Finalists complete a 20-minute interview with a panel including a program faculty member and a sponsor company representative. Accepted students are then matched with a sponsor based on interest alignment and company need.
A phased implementation plan ensures the program launches with the right partners, infrastructure, and student cohort in place for a successful inaugural year.
Establish the KLA governing board. Formalize the Komensky School use agreement. Recruit 3–5 founding sponsor companies. Identify the post-secondary partner institution. Develop program budget and initial curriculum framework.
Execute MOU agreements with participating high schools. Finalize dual-enrollment credit articulation agreements with the college partner. Hire Program Director and Lead Faculty. Develop student application materials.
Distribute applications to area high schools. Host school counselor information sessions. Review applications, conduct interviews, and finalize inaugural cohort. Conduct sponsor-student matching process.
Host a multi-day orientation at Komensky School. Students meet their mentors, tour sponsor companies, receive program materials, and participate in team-building activities. Faculty introduce the academic year plan.
Full program delivery: three-day weekly cadence, curriculum instruction, internship rotations, Guest Executive Series, midyear evaluations, and semester-end capstone simulation. End-of-year showcase for sponsors, families, and school administrators.
Conduct full program evaluation with all stakeholders. Publish Year One Impact Report. Recruit additional sponsor companies and expand cohort for Year Two. Explore alumni engagement and KLA graduate tracking program.