The Loudoun County Public Schools School-Business Partnership Executive Council (SBPEC) is a beacon of collaboration that empowers all students, igniting their potential to make significant contributions to the world. The 23-member Council and its four (4) standing members are a representative body for all division partnerships, for which there are currently 1,065 local, national and worldwide business, industry, nonprofit, and higher education partners. The Council demonstrates 15 of the Career Clusters recognized by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). It plays a crucial role in the Division's ability to offer students the internships, apprenticeships and mentoring that can help them explore career ideas and develop technical skills for future careers.
Innovative partnerships created through the SBPEC connection include the Skilled Trades and Career and Apprenticeship Fairs and the Town of Leesburg and Western Loudoun career fairs. The "Job For a Day'' career shadowing program has seen a 51 percent growth in business participation and includes businesses from 15 VDOE Career Clusters. Two SBPEC member companies were instrumental in creating new student courses/pathways, the pilot course in Computer Science for Advanced Data Structures/Artificial Intelligence and the Health and Medical Science Academies starting at Briar Woods and Tuscarora High Schools in Fall 2024.
The Partnership Breakfast, created to cultivate and highlight instructional partnerships, hosted 650 business, community and LCPS staff attendees during its 2024 event. The recently redesigned partnership recognition structure to recognize volunteers, Loudoun-specific businesses, and large companies not headquartered in Loudoun has had a local school and division impact.
Since its establishment in 1990, the SBPEC has been a bridge between the classroom and life after school, guiding students to link their experiences to career pathways. Its drive equips students with the skills and knowledge to thrive in the workforce. The SBPEC, its partnerships and its commitment to projects based on the Division's goals and objectives help empower all students to make meaningful contributions to the world. The SBPEC's collaboration with the Loudoun Education Foundation (LEF) aligns the efforts, missions, and goals to support students, staff, and LCPS families, and the Council would only be able to have the impact that it does with the connection.
“Our LCPS business partners have been excellent and continue to amaze us yearly,” Renee Dawson, Director of Community Connections & Programs explained, “Each and every partner, large and small, has had a significant, positive impact on our students, schools and the community. The connections have lasting benefits, like increasing school capacity, enhancing our students' educational experiences, and prompting long-term employment goals supporting strong schools and strong communities.”
Throughout its 34-year history, the Council has facilitated countless contacts, sponsorships, donations, and industry expertise, leaving an indelible mark on the entire school division. The SBPEC stands as a testament to the overarching support visible throughout the 100 LCPS schools and multiple educational centers. What's more, the SBPEC holds a unique position as the sole School-Business Partnership Council in the region of the Commonwealth, a distinction that sets it apart from neighboring school divisions with program-specific Councils or Advisory Groups.
For more information about School Business Partnership opportunities, visit the School-Business Partnership website.
Published June 18, 2024