A: The St. Louis Centers for Advanced Professional Studies (STL CAPS) is a nationally recognized, innovative high school program. Students fast forward into their future and are fully immersed in a professional culture, solving real world problems, using industry standard tools and are mentored by actual employers, all while receiving high school and college credit. CAPS is an example of how business, community and public education can partner to produce personalized learning experiences that educate the workforce of tomorrow, especially in high skill, high demand jobs.
Q: Is STL CAPS a trade school or vocational program?
A: No. STL CAPS provides students the opportunity to deeply explore professional areas of interest through a profession-based, inquiry learning method. CAPS is driven by the changing workforce needs of industry, therefore instructors and CAPS business partners collaborate to develop coursework. CAPS curriculum is dynamic, constantly evolving to follow industry trends and market changes using a copyrighted rapid prototyping curriculum development process.
Q: How do colleges/universities view STL CAPS students?
A: While each institution has different admission standards, showing the ability to complete real-world interdisciplinary projects and is proving to differentiate CAPS students on college, university, and scholarship applications.
Q: What type of credit can be received from a STL CAPS course?
A: CAPS courses offer high school credit, elective and core credit. College credit is also available.
Q: What is the schedule in the STL CAPS program?
A: CAPS courses meet 5 days a week for an entire school year. Courses are 3 periods in length and are offered during two sessions (morning and afternoon) to better accommodate students’ schedules.
- AM Session: 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM
- PM Session: 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM
Q: What are the requirements to enroll?
A: Students interested in the STL CAPS program need to:
- attain junior or senior status
- desire to work in a profession-based, real-world environment with other high school students in the St. Louis area
- be open to new experiences and willing to work through the challenges those new experiences may present
- be willing to comply with business ethics (e.g. attendance) and dress codes determined by the type of CAPS study they are involved in
- be willing to spend 3 periods a day away from their home high school
- be able to provide their own transportation to CAPS and business partner sites
- submit an application via our website