Market Value Assets

The Kansas City Real World Learning network powered by the Kaufman Foundation has defined Market Value Assets (MVAs):

"A Market Value Asset is a cornerstone experience that prepares a student for future learning and employment. MVAs are authentic previews of the world of work or post-secondary education. While the professional and academic worlds are ever-changing, the outgrowths students develop when they work on authentic projects with real employers and mentors are durable enough to benefit them throughout their lives."

Learn More Here.

Learners perform authentic job tasks at a worksite or approved location (including virtual) under the guidance of a qualified supervisor. These experiences typically include some of the following:

• Academic credit (high school or college),
• Compensation, 
• 120 hours of engagement, 
• Performance is evaluated by the work manager in addition to the educator. 

Learners analyze and solve authentic problems, working in collaboration with other learners and professionals, impacting employer, civic, social, or faith-based organizations. These experiences typically include some of the following: 

• Authentic methods and tools used by professionals in the work environment, 
• Mentoring and evaluation by working professionals with multiple interactions, 
• 24 hours of engagement, with project work throughout the school day(s) facilitated by the educator 
• Output or product solves a problem or addresses an employer need that is viewed as valuable by the client(s). 
• Performance is evaluated by the work manager in addition to the educator.

Using input and support from multiple stakeholders, learners iteratively analyze, prototype, implement, reflect on, and adapt potential solutions to a problem. Outputs of entrepreneurial experiences typically include some of the following:  

• Learners themselves identify, research, and develop a solution to solve a social or market problem. 
• Market and stakeholder research summary,  
• "Business plan” that includes an assessment of costs and benefits associated with the development and  operation of their solution,  
• Feedback from relevant external stakeholders obtained through exhibition or “shark-tank” type pitch opportunities

IRC (Industry-Recognized Credentials) These typically include: current lists published by state education departments (reviewed with employers and validated for applicability and relevance), and regionally customized and vetted credentials.

Missouri's IRC list

Nine (9) or more hours of college-level credits, in which the student completes coursework progressing toward a college degree.

MRH College and Career Planning

MRH HS Course Guide

Community America Credit Union
Sport Clips
Fairmont Senior Living
The Healthy Pet
The Blue Duck
Kaligna Studios
Mystic Valley

Want to be our business partner for an upcoming project or to host a student intern.  Contact Joe Sausele

Always up for a challenge, the 8th-grade “Topics in Sustainability” class is once again entered into the regional Green Schools Quest. These students under the direction of Melissa Breed-Parks examine ways to make MRH Middle School more environmentally friendly and sustainable. For this year’s contest, they wanted to focus on bees and the effect they have on the school’s environment. One aspect of this plan was to teach Early Childhood Center students about bees and our dependence on them in everyday life. As a class, the 8th-grade students taught four lessons to two 2nd-grade classes and two kindergarten classes. The ECC learners participated in a presentation, game, pre/post survey, and even tasted honey made from the bees at the Middle School. The class had a blast presenting and leading the activities and the kids had much fun learning new things about bees and the environment.

The Green Schools Quest is an annual project-based challenge to PreK-12 schools to devise and implement no/low cost sustainability projects at their school over a six month period of time. Schools document their impact during the project and submit their progress for judging by an impartial panel at the conclusion. Cash awards and trophies are presented to winning teams in Elementary, Middle and High School Divisions and five Spotlight Awards are presented across the age divisions.

Kalinga Studios is providing audio engineering internships to our students. We have placed interns there previously.

The Blue Duck is providing an internship to students who are learning about management, entrepreneurship and branding.

The Healthy pet is providing an internship to students who are learning about their business model and the domestic pet industry.

Students have been working weekends there since the fall as a Cosmetology Intern. They set up the interview as part of their coursework in our Intro to Internship Class.

Students also worked with the owners to create a marketing campaign for their “Haircuts with a Heart” promotion and coordinated related events with assistance from additional students who created video content, and others who worked as project managers.

MRH Students have done Client Centered Projects creating video content for the companies world wide web and social media platforms.

A second client-centered project was completed by our Printshop preparing signage from the Richmond Heights facility.

Recently, junior marketing intern Sacchi Chellappa worked with Maplewood Commons Sport Clips franchise owners Lenny and Jane Wang to promote their "Haircuts with a Heart" week. MRH High School Activities was one of the three beneficiaries of the campaign.

On March 7, Jane, Saachi, top-producing barber John Lambus and Lenny (pictured left to right) spent some time visiting when it was time to for Sacchi to accept on behalf of the high school. We deeply appreciate Sport Clips support and the opportunities they are providing in marketing and cosmetology to our students as part of our School As Apprenticeship Model.

At MRH High, “School as Apprenticeship” is viewed as a living way to incorporate the goals of students with the cornerstones that are seen as essential to the growth and development of students as strong citizens. Students take courses tailored to their future plans for college and careers. Additionally, they are given the opportunity for mentoring and apprenticeships.

Special student correspondent Macey Gabbert submitted this article.

Maplewood Richmond Heights High School’s metaphor is “School as Apprenticeship.” This means student learning has a focus on skills and experiences that will help them in the future, be it more education or into the workforce. Many students will participate in at least one on or off-campus internship during their time at MRH.

Joseph Lundgren (Class of 2026) is one of these students. Every other morning, he heads to the local Volvo dealership to shadow Lorenta "Lo" Swearengen, an automotive technician. That's where Joseph learns more about the hands-on aspect of working with cars. He’s learned a lot about “bridging the gap between the practical and theoretical side of the field” under Lo, who has enjoyed having Joe as a mentee.

Joseph plans to attend Washington University in St. Louis to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering so he can eventually focus in automotive engineering. When asked how his internship is preparing him for life outside of high school, Joe said it “allows a foot in the door for future internships, and helps me be a more competitive candidate.” Joe also mentions how this internship is teaching him a lot when it comes to his designing cars in the future: “This is knowledge that a lot of engineers won't know unless they have personally worked on the vehicles, so this knowledge will hopefully give me a leg up on the competition.”

Maplewood Richmond Heights High School is incredibly grateful that the MRH community allows students opportunities such as this. Thank you to the Volvo Dean Team and Mike Crowell, Service Department Manager, for allowing MRH to further students’ educations; we hope to work together again.

At Maplewood Richmond Heights High School, the metaphor is “School as Apprenticeship.” One student who

exemplifies it very well is senior Cara Thomas. Cara began as a student in our Internship class working with children and eventually securing a paying job at the Maplewood Richmond Heights Early Childhood Center. She primarily works with children who have special needs but is helpful in all other aspects. Cara has a passion for youngsters and aspires to work in a childcare setting.

Cara’s experience at the ECC has allowed her to develop important skills such as patience, communication and responsibility. She works closely with young children, helping with daily activities, supporting their learning, and creating a safe and positive environment. Through this hands-on experience, Cara has learned how to adapt to different situations and meet the individual needs of each child. In addition, Cara has learned how to take initiative, stay organized and handle responsibilities with care and caution.

Cara will attend St. Thomas University and plans to study Child Philosophy. The opportunities she has enjoyed at MRH helped her grow both professionally and personally, giving her confidence in her abilities and preparing her for post-high school. Cara’s journey demonstrates how determination and passion can turn an internship opportunity into a meaningful career path.