Social Innovators Program | Summer 2026

Online High School Program

The Social Innovators Program is a partnership between the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice, the Center for Social Impact Strategy, and Schoolyard Ventures.

The Entrepreneurial Mindset

Entrepreneurship is much more than merely learning how to start a business. It’s a mindset—a creative problem-solving framework that can be applied to any number of situations and opportunities—and it’s fundamental to students’ long-term success in school, work, and life. It allows them to see opportunities where others don’t, make risk-adjusted decisions, persevere through adversity, and communicate effectively with stakeholders and the public.

The Social Innovators Program is a partnership between the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Social Impact Strategy and Schoolyard Ventures, an organization that develops university-level, real-world learning opportunities for ambitious high school students. Developing an entrepreneurial mindset while in high school gives students substantive differentiation from their peers, better insight into their future educational and career opportunities, and more grit and resilience to accomplish their goals.

 

Program Description

The Social Innovators Program enables high school students to learn about entrepreneurship and experience it first-hand while earning a Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship. During the program, students learn how to launch ventures of their own that create value and a positive impact on society.

The eight-week program is virtual (online) with a strong focus on personalized and individualized guidance. With small class sizes, lessons will be viewed online and include engaging interviews and case studies with young entrepreneurs. During recitations, students will participate in live online group discussions led by Schoolyard Ventures staff. Students will also have continual access to personalized guidance and support from the whole Schoolyard Ventures team, including one-on-one check-ins at least once per week. Because students choose their own projects, each student’s experience in the program is unique to his or her interests and goals. Schoolyard Ventures has helped students launch ventures ranging from tech companies and fashion retailers, to community-based non-profits and social movements. Students are encouraged to find something that sparks their curiosity and to use intrinsic motivation as the basis for developing an entrepreneurial mindset.

At the end of the program, students will present their work and most importantly, their personal development.

Summer 2026 will mark our 30th cohort of the virtual Social Innovators Program.

 
 

Program Details

2026 Summer Program

Week of June 8th - Week of July 27th

Who

Current High School Students

Location

This is a 100% virtual (online) program.

The Social Innovators Program has been designed to be online from its inception seven years ago. We believe that pedagogically, online learning requires a different model than in-person. This includes much smaller class sizes, an emphasis on action and discussion instead of passive lectures, and a focus on mentorship and personalized guidance.

Time Commitment

The suggested weekly time commitment for students is ~5 hours per week.

Program Format

Format

The program includes the following components:

 

    • 80 minutes each once a week

    • Live, online group sessions with 2 advisors and no more than 8 students per cohort

    • New concepts introduced and explained, group discussions, project feedback and reflection

  • Average once per week

    • 20 to 30 minute one-on-one check-ins with an advisor for individualized coaching and guidance.

    • Advisors are entrepreneurs in residence with experience solving real-world problems across the social impact sector globally.

    • Beyond the one-on-one check-ins, students have access to their advisors throughout the program. Additional check-ins, including evening and weekend hours, available per student request.

    • Students may meet with their advisor before the program starts to start building the relationship and get a head start in the program.

  • Communication Platform

    • Students will have access to Slack, an app that enables them to message their advisors at any time, receive weekly challenges, post project updates, and collaborate with other students.

    • Students will have continuous access to Slack and their advisors for a year after the program.

  • 3-4 hours per week on average

    • The program requires 3-4 hours per week of independent work, primarily focused on advancing your project.

    • Students have full autonomy over their project's focus area and target market.

    • Weekly challenges, skill-building exercises, and reflections guide you in building your venture.

    • There are no textbooks, tests, or quizzes—the work involves putting your ideas into action and reflecting on your progress each week.

 
 

Recitation Options

Students will be able to choose a weekly meeting time that works for their schedule. Time are subject to availability.

  • Mondays 2:00pm - 3:20pm ET | Mondays 11:00am - 12:20pm PT

  • Mondays 5:00pm - 6:20pm ET | Mondays 2:00pm - 3:20pm PT

  • Mondays 6:30pm - 7:50pm ET | Mondays 3:30pm - 4:50pm PT

  • Mondays 8:00pm - 9:20pm ET | Mondays 5:00pm - 6:20pm PT

  • Tuesdays 2:00pm - 3:20pm ET | Tuesdays 11:00am - 12:20pm PT

  • Tuesdays 6:30pm - 7:50pm ET | Tuesdays 3:30pm - 4:50pm PT

  • Tuesdays 9:30pm - 10:50pm ET | Tuesdays 6:30pm - 7:50pm PT

  • Wednesdays 6:30pm - 7:50pm ET | Wednesdays 3:30pm - 4:50pm PT

  • Wednesdays 8:00pm - 9:20pm ET | Wednesdays 5:00pm - 6:20pm PT

Webinars

Information Sessions & Student Stories

We host a series of live information sessions for interested students and families to learn more about the program. If you are unable to attend, please register and we will send you a recording. Upcoming sessions:

Watch the Info Session

Application Process

 

Deadlines

We operate on a rolling admissions basis. The program typically reaches capacity before the final deadline, so admitted students who apply early are guaranteed a spot in the summer term.

  • Early Admissions Deadline: Thursday, April 9th at 11:59pm ET

    • Deadline for Financial Need-Based Directors Scholarships

  • Final Application Deadline: Thursday, May 7th at 11:59pm ET

Process

  1. Written Application: The application is now live. Students can download this PDF to review the application questions. Students may apply online via the “Apply Now” button below.

  2. Phone Interview: If a student application is strong, a brief phone admissions interview (~15 minutes) will be scheduled. Students should expect to receive an email from admissions@schoolyard.org.

  3. Decision: Students will be notified of our decision within one week of their interview.

  4. Scheduling: Once accepted into the program, students will have the opportunity to select their preferred recitation day and time.

Cost

Tuition for the program is $2,295 USD. A 50 percent deposit is due upon acceptance, and the balance is due by June 8th.

Additionally, Directors Scholarships (needs-based) are available for eligible students who apply by the Early Admissions Deadline. Please reach out to admissions@schoolyard.org if you would like to apply for tuition assistance.

Additional Information

 

  • What do we look for in an applicant? Here are a few tips:

    • It is not necessary for students to have an idea to apply for the program (80% of accepted students begin without an idea). We will help students work through the process of developing an idea during the program.

    • We’re looking for students who are curious about social entrepreneurship and motivated to begin solving problems for other people and themselves while still in high school.

    • Students with a Growth Mindset will have an advantage in the admissions process. (Learn More About Growth Mindset)

    • Students should be able to commit at least 5 hours per week over the course of the eight-week program.

    • Because of the program’s small class sizes and limited capacity, program deposits are non-refundable (unless the program is cancelled by Penn or Schoolyard Ventures).

    • Second (and final) payments are refundable until June 12th (end of week 1).

    • We expect students to attend their weekly recitations. However, students may miss one recitation with advance notice, and instructors will work with them to schedule a one-on-one makeup session.

    • Students who miss two or more sessions will not be eligible to receive a certificate.

    • Students will be assessed not based on the success or failure of their projects, but rather on the quality and quantity of their learning and their weekly progress.

    • While there are no formal grades in the program, students will be given feedback from instructors on a weekly basis regarding their progress. If an instructor believes a student is not meeting the expectations of the program, the instructor will inform the student and work with them to develop a plan for getting back on track. Our goal is for every admitted student to have a positive and beneficial experience in the program and earn a certificate.

    • We ask that students engage in pro-social behavior in their dealings with other students and their advisors.

  • Across the phases of innovation, this program emphasizes hands-on, real-world experiences to encourage the application of knowledge through active participation. Students will be challenged to adapt their knowledge and ideas through real-world scenarios and constraints.

    • Creative Problem Solving: Approach problems and opportunities with innovative thinking by learning how to generate diverse ideas and execute ideas into action.

    • Resourcefulness: Leverage personal interests, skills, relationships, and experiences to pilot and test innovative solutions.

    • Smart Risk-Taking: Cultivate the ability and courage to run experiments, bounce back from setbacks, embrace rejection, and learn from failures.

    • Adaptability and Resilience: Learn how to adapt and pivot based on real-world feedback and embrace the ambiguity and uncertainty that come with social change and entrepreneurship.

    • Communication and Collaboration: Enhance written and verbal communication and storytelling skills for engaging different stakeholders, such as interviewing community members, recruiting teammates, forming partnerships, or pitching to prospective customers or users.

    • Leadership: Promote an understanding of personal strengths, weaknesses, values, and motivations to inform entrepreneurial decisions through reflection and introspection. Students discover that age doesn't limit their power to create meaningful impact.

    • Project & Time Management: Balance venture work with school, sports, and personal responsibilities.

    • Age: Enrolled high school student (grade 9-12)

    • Growth mindset: learn from their mistakes, identify opportunities to grow, believe that skills and intelligence can be improved with effort and persistence.

    • Maturity: emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and the ability to handle responsibilities and challenges.

    • Curiosity: desire to learn, ask questions, explore new ideas, and seek out knowledge and experiences.

    • Time management skills: actively learning how to plan, prioritize tasks, set goals, and use time efficiently to balance multiple responsibilities and schoolwork

    • Reference: A college counselor, advisor, or mentor refers or nominates a student to the program. Students can list their name on their application.

 
 

Questions?

  • Schoolyard Ventures Contact: Reilly Brooks @ reilly@schoolyard.org

  • UPenn Contact: Rich Sedmak @ 267-481-1696 or rsedmak@upenn.edu

 
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