A school/business partnership can take many formats, but is characterized by an ongoing commitment between the two parties to work together to improve the school’s achievements.  Many businesses in the city are interested in working closely with an individual school to help boost the students’ learning, provide access to special programs or services, sponsor events to bolster the school community, or a variety of other activities. 

School/Business Partnerships should be considered when:

• The principal is interested in developing and managing a sustained business partnership.  The principal must be willing and able to take an active part in the partnership, devote time to the relationship, and respond to the businesses needs while fostering a partnership that benefits the school.
• The school can define specific needs with which the business can get involved
• Someone in the school community has a business and is interested in getting more involved in the school

 Steps to a Successful Partnership

Step One:  Decide that you want a business partner and can devote the time and effort to the relationship

If it is not the principal that has indicated a desire for a business partner, go to the principal and get his/her support.  Determine who should be involved in the management of the partnership and name one person to be the contact for the school, ideally the principal or an assistant principal.  If you already have an interested business partner, continue reading the remaining steps.  If you are looking for a potential partner, click here for recruitment assistance.  

Step Two:  Prioritize school needs and determine how you want a business partner to help

It is crucial that the school guide the activities for any partnership.  The aim is to help the school improve student achievement.  The school must be able to articulate specific ways that the business can help the school (e.g. a “menu of options” for the business to choose from).  Consider the input of staff, parents and students to widen options for business involvement.  Talk with colleagues at other schools who have successfully pursued partnerships; they may have new ideas for you to consider.  School personnel should lay out their vision for the school, and goals to reach this vision.  Together, the business partner and the school can determine how they can meet these goals to fulfill the vision.  Be prepared with some concrete ideas, and take into account the various potential resources of a business that could be useful to your school, most importantly their human resources such as volunteers and management expertise.  It is recommended that you build the personal relationship through interactive volunteer experiences before asking for money.  You are more likely to create a stable and long lasting partnership this way.

Step Three:  Meet with the business and get to know one another

Tell the business partner about your school and ask about their interest in your school and the partnership.  Learn what the business partner wants from the relationship before launching into requests.  Take them on a tour of the school.  Explain the school vision and goals and work together to find projects that are mutually beneficial.  Consider volunteer, messaging/promotion ideas, and fundraising (see our resources on Sample Partnership Activities).  Even if a business does not jump at your first suggestion, do not be discouraged.  Keep working to find activities that fulfill the needs of the business and the school.  Establish a timeline of communication and contact people on both ends.  For assistance planning your first meeting, please look at this sample agenda.

Step Four:  Create an action plan

Working with the school’s visions and goals, develop clear and realistic goals for the partnership.  Create a reasonable measure for each goal.  Use the resources of each partner and consider opportunities for student, parent and staff input.  Create a calendar of events, and distribute to both partners.  Consider who will take the lead on organizing each event, and what resources are involved.  Take into consideration opportunities to publicize events and the partnership.

Step Five:  Implement partnership activities

Involve employees, students, parents and staff in the implementation of partnership activities.  The more people actively engaged then the more solid the partnership will become.  Consider having a partnership “kick off ceremony” to make the school and business community aware of the newly forged bond. 

Step Six:  Check in along the way

After every partnership activity, the school and business should get together and debrief.  Discuss what was successful and what can be improved for the next activity.  Was everyone involved?  Did it reach the students?  Did it help to reach a previously stated goal?  Is it helping each partner meet their needs?  Let everyone provide input.  Be sure to devise a way to thank the volunteers who participated, as appreciation is extremely important. 

Step Seven:  Evaluate the partnership at the end of the year

At the end of the school year, partners should revisit goals set at the outset of the partnership and determine if they have been successful in meeting them.  Use the measure you established at the start of the year to decide if the goals have been completed or not.  Try to have an honest discussion about the overall partnership and whether or not it is working for both partners.  If both sides feel positive on the relationship, make a preliminary plan for the following year and set a time to meet to create a new action plan.

Step Eight:  Celebrate your successes and thank your business partner

It is important to celebrate the partnership, and recognize the good work that both the school and the business have done.  Share your success with the entire school community and show appreciation for everyone’s contributions.