Entrepreneurship
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Robert W. Jurgensen Entrepreneurship Program
Empowering Tomorrow’s Innovators
At Dunn School, we believe in the power of entrepreneurship to transform lives and shape the future. The roots of which extend back to the 1974 origin point of entrepreneurship education at Dunn, the Robert W. Jurgensen Entrepreneurship Program is one of the most comprehensive and dynamic entrepreneurship programs in the nation. Through our commitment to Whole Student Education, we ensure that our student entrepreneurs not only gain professional skills but also develop into thoughtful, responsible leaders.
The Heart of Entrepreneurship at Dunn School
The depth and breadth of our program are unmatched. While many schools offer entrepreneurship clubs or occasional competitions, Dunn School provides real-world experiences that set our students apart. Starting in sixth grade and continuing through graduation, students are immersed in a curriculum that spans business management, investment strategies, marketing, product development, and much more.
By the time they graduate, students who fully engage with the RWJ program will have spent over 750 hours exploring business concepts, earned six college credits, completed internships, and honed a clear vision for their future studies and career paths. This program is designed to equip students with the tools they need to succeed in any entrepreneurial venture they choose to pursue.
Managing a Real Investment Fund
Our student-run businesses are not only profitable but also educational. Profits are reinvested into the program, and upper-level students manage a $425,000 investment fund through the Jurgensen Investors and Philanthropists class. Students learn to invest real money using a value-based investment philosophy, achieving remarkable results with a 14% compound annual growth rate since 2011.
The real power of the Earwig Foundation Fund lies in its strength as a learning tool. While some schools play stock market games, our students invest real money in real businesses. They are tasked with building an intentional portfolio of great companies trading at good prices to hold forever. This deep program teaches basic investing concepts and metrics, utilizing tools that real investors use and access to proprietary software and analyst reports.
Real Businesses, Real Learning
At the core of our program are the student-run businesses that provide hands-on learning experiences:
- Jurgensen’s Market — This high-tech convenience store and apparel shop generates approximately $35,000 in annual revenue. Students manage every aspect of the business, from vendor relations and inventory to financial management, marketing, and technology. The experience fosters a deep understanding of retail operations and business strategy.
- Earwig Cafe — A bustling coffee and snack shop, Earwig Cafe teaches students culinary skills and business operations, generating around $12,000 annually. By night, it transforms into a delivery service for our boarding students, offering a practical lesson in the food and beverage industry. Students obtain food handler certifications and learn to cook, manage finances, and handle customer service.
- Dunn Merchandise — This drop-shipping online apparel store allows students to create, market, and sell their own products, generating nearly $5,000 in annual revenue. Through the use of platforms like Shopify and print-on-demand services, students gain valuable e-commerce experience and learn the intricacies of digital marketing and customer engagement.
College Partnerships and Access
As a nationally renowned entrepreneurship program, Dunn School has attracted unique partnerships at the college level. Students in two of the classes in the RWJ Program are eligible for concurrent enrollment at Syracuse University (Economic Ideas and Issues) and the University of Delaware (EntreX). Our alumni attend some of the best business and entrepreneurship schools in the nation, including Stanford, Babson, USC, Cal-Poly, and LMU.
Our partnership with the University of Delaware is particularly deep as we host the regional finals of their international entrepreneurship pitch competition, the Diamond Challenge. Each year, over 30 schools from across the nation come to our campus to pitch their best business and social entrepreneurship ideas to a panel of judges. The winners receive cash prizes and are selected to attend the finals in Delaware in the spring.
In 2023-24, we became a proud partner of the prestigious Diamond Challenge, an international entrepreneurship pitch competition.
Students from over 30 schools across the nation gathered on our campus to present their innovative business and social entrepreneurship ideas to a panel of esteemed judges.
The top teams received cash prizes and advanced to the Diamond Challenge Summit in Delaware, where they competed for additional awards and recognition.
Hosting this event underscores Dunn School's commitment to fostering entrepreneurial talent and providing our students with unparalleled opportunities to engage with and learn from the broader business community.
Project-Based Learning with Professional Partners
Our entrepreneurship program extends beyond campus, involving partnerships with renowned businesses and organizations such as the LA Clippers, Ritz-Carlton Bacara Resort, and Morgan Stanley. These collaborations provide our students with real-world project experience and high-stakes assessments, motivating them to excel.
Our students have the opportunity to work on projects with companies like Windsor, "That is Interesting" (YouTube), Reeds, Timberlab, Pikes Place Market, Dimensional Funds, and Iron-Wood Hospitality. Each partnership offers a unique learning experience and the chance to present work to industry experts, ensuring that students are deeply engaged and motivated.
Building Professional Skills
At Dunn School, we emphasize the development of professional skills essential for success in today’s world. Our students learn personal finance, critical thinking, presentation skills, teamwork, creativity, empathy, leadership, and social awareness. These skills prepare them for both college and professional life, ensuring they can navigate any challenges they may face.
Our curriculum is intentionally designed to allow students to acquire and practice the skills that employers of today and tomorrow demand. Students learn to collaborate in teams, express creativity in the face of incomplete information, practice empathy in customer and product development, and develop leadership and social influence. With these skills, they are prepared to succeed in college and their professional lives.
A Legacy of Innovation and Passion
Bob Jurgensen
Former Dunn School teacher Bob Jurgensen inspired generations of entrepreneurs with his ingenious classes and bold teaching style.
The Robert W. Jurgensen Entrepreneurship Program stands on the shoulders of innovative giants. In the late 1970s, iconic teacher and business manager Bob Jurgensen pioneered entrepreneurship courses at Dunn. One of Bob’s students, Michael Boone, who became a global entrepreneur, funded the initial expansion and rebranding of the program. Michael's gift began a long-term strategy to honor teachers like Bob, who have profoundly impacted Dunn students.
Today, the program thrives under Chad Stacy, a former business leader at Dunn. During his 13-year tenure as Chief Financial Officer, Chad co-instructed a class called Earwig Incorporated alongside Alex Westcott, forming the backbone of the current program. Chad, a CPA with an M.Ed from Vanderbilt, began his career as a real estate entrepreneur and Big Six auditor before finding his true calling in boarding school education.
The spirit of entrepreneurship at Dunn has always been fueled by student passions. From Michael Boone’s student movie nights in the '70s to Sunny McCleur’s Earwig Cafe, Keegan Mitchell’s crypto mining operation, Jeff Wang’s Earwig Foundation investing, and Abe Storey’s Innovation clubs, our students' enthusiasm and creativity inspire us to build more and dive deeper. The current Robert W. Jurgensen Entrepreneurship Program is a true reflection of our students' passions, our teachers' expertise, and our community's rich history.
