Nestled into the corner of the Clemens Learning Center is a bustling small business; the employees are only 17 or 18 years old. What may sound like an impending disaster to some is actually a student-run coffee shop sponsored by the NKC School District.
Class Act Coffee is a new work-study program available to upperclassmen across all four schools. Students can apply through a quick survey where they are later vetted.
“[The goal] is to provide students with hands-on real-world experiences to allow them to gain knowledge and skills that prepares them for the future,” business teacher Zachary Johnson said.
Johnson is the sponsor, manager, and teacher of the shop. With his experience teaching business classes for the district, he fit the position well. The class is a half-day, off campus, work-study program for students. Johnson manages while students make the decisions.
“They are given the opportunity to run a business and be involved in decision making while still having a safety net,” Johnson said.
Oak Park senior Elias Alavez has been heavily involved with the creation and promotion of Class Act Coffee. He is one of many students working as an employee for the shop.
It’s not uncommon to see him running around town to fetch artwork or other things to put the finishing touches on the coffee shop. Everyone takes on a role for the shop, based on their own skills and interests.
“People like to specialize in their own things, some people are better with numbers. They’ll do more financial things. I do like the outreach stuff,” Alavez said. “No textbooks or research can get you that experience of actually doing things.”
Despite having their own roles, most students do the hands on work of fulfilling orders as a barista. Students take orders and then use the commercial grade equipment to make it. Class Act Coffee uses Broadway Café beans, a larger, more established shop in downtown Kansas City.
The district will meet or deny requests from Class Act Coffee for new equipment or more materials on a case-by-case basis. An initial pool of $5000 was given to the shop for decor and furniture. Alavez considers the shop to be a bit different from a typical coffee shop, as it has a bit of a cleaner, more modern vibe.
“It’s very progressive,” Alavez said, describing the shop as a sort of showcase for more than just coffee.
The shop will feature artwork and other projects from around the district. Johnson also mentioned there will be an opportunity for student organizations to be the featured group for two weeks where all donations will be given back to said organization.
Class Act Coffee had a soft open in mid-December, and will have a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday, Feb. 9 at 9:30 a.m. Anyone is welcome to celebrate the grand opening with a cup of coffee.
