History
When Bob Kaitz was an educator at Breck School in 1976, he was selected by the headmaster of the school to conduct a pilot project comparing a traditional lecture format class to an experiential-based learning class which would bridge the gap between classroom theory and business and career opportunities. The impact of the hands-on approach became clear immediately, with the experiential group testing two grades above their current grade level.
From the early pilot project, BestPrep was born to help students and teachers in Minnesota gain business and career skills through experiences. With the volunteer and financial support of 3M, Cargill, Ecolab, General Mills and Peavey, BestPrep was at the forefront of a national trend of connecting students and educational institutions with members of business, government and social services. By connecting students with members of corporate America, participants gain first-hand exposure and experience to what life after school is really like.
BestPrep continues to bridge the business and education communities today. The organization has reached more than 1.2 million students with five wide-ranging programs involving classroom curriculum, week long summer programs, financial literacy education, career skills development and integrating technology into the classroom. BestPrep's success is due to its innovative program, entrepreneurial spirit and on-going collaborations with businesses, schools, teachers and students.