On Thursday, September 26, Elmbrook's LAUNCH program hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new Bishops Woods location in the Concurrency building. LAUNCH is a program for juniors and seniors that offers career-based learning experiences by partnering with local businesses to solve real-world business problems. At the event, LAUNCH students from Elmbrook and Wauwatosa Districts showcased their projects and hosted over 90 business professionals from across the community. 

The Brookfield-based technology company, Concurrency, transformed its second floor to house the program, offering large collaboration spaces and meeting rooms for students to work, learn, and meet with business partners. At the event, guests heard from Elmbrook Superintendent, Dr. Mark Hansen; Wauwatosa Superintendent, Dr. Phillip Ertl; LAUNCH students George Schultz and Maggie Conlon; and Concurrency's Chief People Officer, Kate Weiland. "This program was designed to help students work on real-world projects, build business connections, and to grow tomorrow's talented professionals so they can come back to our community," reflected Dr. Hansen. "This is the educational change that we need today."

"Thank you for believing in the dream," said Dr. Robert Hall, Executive Director of LAUNCH as he cut the ribbon. This year, over 300 students are involved in the program, pursuing academic and career-based content in 10 different course strands hosted by Elmbrook and Wauwatosa. This unique partnership between the two districts increases opportunities for students at all four high schools, expands the number of community partners, and breaks down traditional barriers to education.