Start-Up Lycée: Empowering High School Students with 21st Century Skills Through Real-World Business and Tech Connections

In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, education can no longer be limited to traditional classroom learning. High school students need more than just theoretical knowledge to thrive in the dynamic landscape of the 21st century. They need real-world experiences that help them develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial skills—qualities that are increasingly valued by both universities and employers. One innovative educational initiative that addresses this need is the Start-Up Lycée program, a beacon of our Open Learning program.

At the Lycée Français de San Francisco, this forward-thinking program involves all our Gr10 students, from both the International Track and the French Track. It integrates high school education with hands-on experiences in the business and tech worlds, preparing students to be not only consumers of knowledge but also creators and innovators. By connecting students with local businesses, start-ups, and tech leaders, the Start-Up Lycée gives them a unique advantage—an education that fosters entrepreneurial thinking, collaboration, and adaptability. Here’s how the program equips our Gr10 students with invaluable skills and provides them with a significant edge when they transition to higher education and beyond.

Start-Up Lycée: An Overview

Start-Up Lycée is more than just a class or an extracurricular activity. It’s an immersive educational experience designed to mimic the real-life process of developing a business or launching a start-up. Over the course of a couple of days, students work in teams, collaborating to identify problems, create solutions, and bring their ideas to life, all on a given theme and within a supportive yet challenging environment. The event culminates with the pitch exercise, when each team gets to pitch their project to a jury of professionals. The program is structured around key principles of entrepreneurship, design thinking, and innovation, with a strong focus on the real-world application of these concepts.

In the process, students engage with mentors from the local business and tech communities whose practical and empirical feedback is simply priceless. This hands-on approach not only helps students develop and hone essential skills but also instills a sense of confidence in their ability to navigate complex challenges—skills that are crucial in today’s fast-changing world.

For the 2024 edition of Startup Lycée, students created start-ups focused on sustainability. The event was hosted by Microsoft at its San Francisco offices. 

As Thomas Laroux-Iung, economics and social sciences teacher and coordinator of the Startup Lycée project notes, 

“One of the great assets of this event is the opportunity to work outside the school setting for two days, allowing students to flourish in a different environment.”

Developing Entrepreneurial Mindsets

Another strength of the Start-Up Lycée program is its emphasis on cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset. In the context of a high school education, this means encouraging students to think creatively, take initiative, and approach problems with an open and solution-oriented perspective. Whether students are designing a new app, launching a community service initiative, or exploring sustainable business models, they are learning to think like entrepreneurs.

“Students  have to think and work together to solve real-life problems, which enables them to apply concepts studied in economics to everyday life.”

This entrepreneurial mindset is particularly beneficial for students as they plan for college. Colleges seek students  who demonstrate initiative, leadership, and the ability to tackle real-world problems—qualities that are central to the Start-Up Lycée experience. Students who have participated in the program showcase their projects and entrepreneurial endeavors in their college applications, highlighting their unique contributions in the areas of innovation, and independent thinking. 

Real-World Business and Tech Connections

A key component of the Start-Up Lycée is the program’s strong connection to our exceptional local business and tech ecosystems. Located in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area—one of the world’s most vibrant hubs for innovation and entrepreneurship—the Lycée is uniquely positioned to offer students direct access to industry leaders, start-ups, and established tech companies.

Throughout the program, students have the opportunity to connect with professionals from various sectors, ranging from tech entrepreneurs to venture capitalists and business executives. These mentors offer guidance, share their own experiences, and provide valuable feedback on students’ projects. This exposure to real-world business practices helps students bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, making their learning more relevant and impactful.

Moreover, these connections give students a glimpse into the career opportunities available in the business and tech sectors, helping them make informed decisions about their future paths. By the time they graduate, students have already developed a network of professional contacts—a significant advantage as they move into higher education and beyond.

The connections students make through the program can also open doors to internships, mentorships, and other opportunities that further enhance their budding real world experience. By the time students start planning for college,  they have already built the skills, network, and experiences that will help them succeed in the next phase of their academic journey.

Building 21st Century Skills

In addition to fostering entrepreneurial thinking, the Start-Up Lycée equips students with a wide range of 21st-century skills that are essential for success in today’s economy. These include:

• Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Students learn to analyze problems from multiple perspectives, think creatively, and develop innovative solutions. Whether they are designing a product, developing a business plan, or navigating challenges during their projects, students are constantly honing their ability to think critically and solve complex problems.
• Collaboration and Teamwork: In the Start-Up Lycée, students work in teams to bring their ideas to life. This requires them to collaborate effectively, communicate clearly, and navigate group dynamics—skills that are essential in both academic and professional settings.
• Communication and Presentation Skills: Throughout the program, students are encouraged to articulate their ideas clearly and persuasively. Whether they are pitching their projects to a panel of judges or presenting their ideas to mentors, students gain valuable experience in public speaking, persuasive communication, and the art of storytelling—skills that will serve them well in any field.

“I was particularly impressed by their oral presentations, including those of the more discreet students in class, who were able to defend their start-up project in front of a jury of professionals.” 

• Resilience and Adaptability: The entrepreneurial journey is often filled with setbacks and challenges, and the Start-Up Lycée teaches students to embrace failure as part of the learning process. By persevering through obstacles and refining their ideas, students develop resilience and adaptability—qualities that are essential in today’s rapidly changing world.
• Tech Literacy: Given the program’s strong connection to the tech industry, students also develop a high level of digital literacy and technological fluency. Whether they are coding, designing apps, or exploring new digital tools, students gain valuable skills that will be increasingly important in their academic and professional futures.

A Launchpad for Future Success

In summary, the Start-Up Lycée program at the Lycée offers its high school students a unique and valuable educational experience. 

“Startup Lycée represents a demanding challenge, and I'm proud to have seen the students come up with original ideas on the theme of sustainability. I have fond memories of enthusiastic, active and involved students. When you're a teacher, it's extraordinary to watch your students unfold their potential”

Start-Up Lycée is one of the many Open Learning initiatives made available to High School students at the Lycée. Others include the Shadow days (5 days spent in an organization, with a mentor), and the Career Fair that allows students to engage and ask questions to professionals as they start to project themselves into their professional future. 

Whether students are interested in launching their own start-ups, pursuing careers in business and tech, or simply gaining a deeper understanding of the world around them, these programs offer high schoolers the tools and opportunities they need to thrive, giving them a distinct advantage in an increasingly competitive world.

This year, Startup Lycée will engage Gr10 students twice : 

• An edition at the school level hosted by Microsoft
• A finale event with other North-American schools hosted by Deloitte

Stay tuned for this year’s theme and competition or contact our Admissions Team to learn firsthand about our open-learning environment and discover all the many opportunities Lycée has to offer.

With Thomas Laroux-Iung, economics and social sciences teacher and coordinator of the Startup Lycée project.