The Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) program at Middleton High School has grown from 30 to 80 students this year. The program, which is open to juniors and seniors, immerses students in a professional environment to tackle real-world problems under the guidance of experienced mentors.
Program coordinator and business and marketing teacher Shane Leadholm said the number of business partners is also up from 15 to 20.
“We want to deepen relationships with our industry partners and enhance what we offer to students,” Leadholm said. “We’re always looking to build on the partnership with hopes of having authentic client projects that are meaningful and real for both students and partners.”
Leadholm anticipates doing more projects with industry partners this year too. The program has two new strands: Digital Media Marketing and Introduction to Education and Teaching. Each strand is co-taught, and students earn cross-curricular credit with a heavy focus on communications and English.
Leadholm said Fetch Rewards, Marketini Media and Thermo Fisher Scientific are among the businesses that have worked closely with the CAPS program, providing mentorship and projects for students to contribute to.
Ashley Storck, CEO and founder of Marketini Media, said she has been impressed by CAPS students’ creativity, curiosity and eagerness.
“One of the most rewarding moments was hearing that a group of students felt inspired to start a Women in Business club after hearing my story,” Storck said. ”I also had coffee with a student who shared that she wrote about me in her college admissions essay, having discovered her passion for UX design through this project, and wowing me with her ability to efficiently work in a design software that took me months to master. Watching that kind of spark happen in real time was incredibly impactful!”
Leadholm said he sees CAPS students’ confidence grow during the semester-long program, particularly with their communication and collaboration skills and in terms of critical thinking and creativity.
Middleton High School senior Rohan Dileep is participating in the Business Solutions strand this semester.
“I want to sharpen skills like networking, which we might not get in a traditional classroom setting,” Dileep said. “This is the first time we’ve gotten to apply our skills in a real-world setting.”
Dileep said wants to be a business major in college. He’s looking forward to learning about the operational side of business and understanding how things work on a management and administrative level.
“Our hope is that students enjoy the experience and that it gives them the confidence and skill sets to be successful after high school,” Leadholm said, adding that the program is not just for college-bound students. “For students looking to start a business or travel the world, CAPS gives them perspective and the opportunity to try school in a different way.”
“CAPS is a place where students can lead,” Leadholm added. “As teachers, we step back as content instructors and put the trust into students to take on the leadership risks.”
Leadholm said he wants CAPS to be a win-win situation for students and the community.
“We hope our community partners find value in partnering with and supporting our school system,” Leadholm said. “Business partners are pleasantly surprised by our students’ presentation skills and professionalism.”
Storck offered advice for businesses considering a partnership with CAPS.
“You don’t need to have a perfectly structured project plan or a large team to make a big impact,” Storck said. “I’m a solopreneur running a small business with limited resources, and I was still able to add meaningful value to the program and create a real-world learning experience for the students. The CAPS team is incredibly supportive, and the students bring fresh perspectives and enthusiasm that can energize your business.”
“As business leaders, we often emphasize the importance of giving back, and CAPS provides an opportunity to do so while also shaping the next generation of talent,” Storck added. “It’s not just about mentorship; it’s about co-creating something real with students who are ready to learn, contribute, and grow.”
Watch a short video of Dileep sharing what he’s excited about for this semester’s CAPS program and a short video of Leadholm discussing CAPS’ growth.