The Redwood Entrepreneurship Academy of Learners (R.E.A.L. Academy) is an innovative Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway program that develops both entrepreneurial mindsets and entrepreneurial skills, both of which are essential to success in the real world. The program focuses on creativity, innovation, collaboration and advanced technical skills. Our elective track begins in 6th grade with a focus on Leadership, Career Exploration and Innovation and then continues in 7th and 8th grade with Entrepreneurship and Digital Productions. The program is designed to link to the exciting and successful Ethos Entrepreneurship program at Thousand Oaks High School.
6th Grade: Carrer Exploration & innovation
Our R.E.A.L. Academy kicks off in 6th grade. The Leadership, Career and Innovation curriculum takes students on an exciting journey where they learn the importance of imagination and experience the process of thinking creatively. Throughout the course, students will get to explore different career pathways while they develop essential communication, collaboration and professionalism skills needed to succeed in the real world. The course will also connect students to digital and technology skills that will prepare them for the Entrepreneurship and Digital Productions classes offered in the 7th and 8th grade.
7TH/8th GRADE Semester 1: Entrepreurship
Our R.E.A.L. Academy entrepreneurship course is modeled after the real-life entrepreneur idea-to-pitch process. The goal of the class is to inspire student creativity, collaboration and professional communication. Similar to the popular television competition, Shark Tank, students will learn the tools and skills necessary to brainstorm, build a business idea from scratch, take it though the development process, create advertising and marketing, and pitch to investors. Our program builds in field trips and in-person mentorship from Thousand Oaks High School Ethos Entrepreneur students, Hub 101 at CLU and other community business leaders. Throughout the class students will experience a wealth of entrepreneur guidance and leadership from real-life professionals and their end project will be perfect for their first professional portfolio and resume. Students who complete all of the course skills requirements with a C or better will earn a REAL Academy Entrepreneurship Certification.
Advanced Entrepreneur Skills Developed: • Entrepreneurship • Brainstorming • Product Design • Prototyping • Tinkercad 3D Design and 3D Printing • Market Research • Logo Design • 4 Ps of Marketing • Advertising • Canva Graphic Design Program • Powerpoint and Google Slides • Presentation and Pitching
7TH/8TH GRADE SEMESTER 2:digital productions
Our capstone course in the R.E.A.L. Academy introduces students to the exciting work of Digital Productions. All students will work on the soon-to-be-launched Viking Voices which will produce podcasts and video segments for the Redwood campus. Students will develop strong digital literacy and citizenship skills while learning how to become innovative digital producers. Throughout the course students will be trained to work with professional sound and lighting equipment, green screens, GoPro and DSLR video cameras and iMovie editing equipment. Similar to our Entrepreneurship course, Digital Productions will connect students to real world professionals and students will build an impressive portfolio that will connect them more opportunities in high school and the real world. Students who complete all of the course skills requirements with a C or better will earn a REAL Academy Digital Production Certification.
Advanced Digital Production Skills Developed: • Technology Literacy and Digital Citizenship • Advance Graphic Design • Digital Storytelling • Podcasting • Sound Design and Production • GoPro and DSLR Video • Green Screen Technology • TV Production • Video Editing on iMovie