Table of Contents
Why Public Schools Need Entrepreneurs, Not Just Educators
Public schools aren’t companies. But they face similar problems—tight budgets, changing needs, limited time, and high expectations. Entrepreneurial thinking is about solving problems quickly, using what’s available, and getting results. That’s exactly what schools need right now.
In many parts of the world, especially in rural and underserved areas, traditional school systems are too slow to keep up. Leaders are stuck following top-down plans instead of trying new ideas. Entrepreneurial thinking flips that. It gives educators permission to try, test, fail, and fix.
What Entrepreneurial Thinking Looks Like in a School
Entrepreneurial thinking in education isn’t about profit. It’s about using business skills—like planning, innovation, and community building—to make schools better.
It means:
- Solving problems fast without waiting for permission.
- Using local resources before asking for outside funding.
- Thinking of students and families as the school’s “customers.”
- Making every space in the school serve a purpose.
- Measuring what works and adjusting quickly.
These are the same habits you see in any startup. They work just as well in schools.
A Real-Life Example: Andrew Jordan Principal
When Andrew Jordan Principal took over at Donovan CUSD #3, he didn’t start with a new building or big donations. He started with a broken library.
“It was full of books few students read,” he said. “Not many students wanted to be in there.”
So he pitched a plan to turn it into a media centre. He found old furniture from another school. He used local help. Then he applied for a Stronger Connections Grant. That brought in $210,693.
Now the space is always full. Students use it to study, collaborate, and relax. Teachers use it for small groups and creative projects. It didn’t take millions. It took a new mindset.
Schools Are Already Doing Business—They Just Don’t Call It That
Every school runs like a business whether it admits it or not. They manage staff, facilities, schedules, communications, events, and money. Some even run cafeterias, sports teams, or summer programmes.
But many school leaders aren’t trained in operations or strategic planning. That’s a problem. Entrepreneurial tools can help. Even something as simple as applying a project plan to a new student programme makes a big difference.
Jordan’s background in business helped him see that. Before becoming a superintendent, he co-owned J3 Timing and ran the Wine Run 5K. He used those same skills—planning events, working with vendors, managing volunteers—to run school projects.
“When you’ve had to run a race with 300 people and a stopwatch, running a staff meeting is nothing,” he joked.
The Power of Local Ideas and Small Experiments
In many schools, change moves slow because everything needs approval. That kills creativity. Entrepreneurs do the opposite—they test small ideas quickly.
Jordan ran a 3-on-3 basketball tournament in his hometown for 15 years. It started with a few hoops and a goal to get kids moving. Over time, it raised $50,000 for local projects.
Schools should do the same. Don’t wait for a new curriculum. Try a lunchtime reading club. Turn a hallway into a pop-up art show. Use a forgotten room for student mentoring.
These aren’t big changes. But they add up. They build trust. They build culture. That’s where real school improvement begins.
Data Shows It Works
A 2023 study from the Learning Policy Institute found that schools using community-driven leadership models saw better student outcomes and teacher retention. Another report by Education Week found that 43% of school leaders who had prior experience in entrepreneurship were more likely to lead academic recovery programmes after COVID.
In Jordan’s case, his team also secured a High-Impact Tutoring Grant that ran from 2022 to 2024. This brought targeted one-on-one and small group instruction to students who were falling behind. The programme increased test scores across multiple subjects.
“We didn’t just hire tutors,” he said. “We built a system around it. We tracked every student’s progress weekly. If something wasn’t working, we fixed it.”
That’s business thinking. And it works.
Recommendations for School Leaders
Start with What You Have
Take inventory. What rooms aren’t used? Who has free time in the community? What tools already exist in your school? Use them first.
Think in Projects
Every idea should have a beginning, middle, and end. Don’t just say “we need to help students.” Create a three-week plan. Pick a group. Set a goal. Test it.
Get Comfortable with Imperfection
Don’t wait for perfect. Good ideas can be messy. Focus on progress, not polish.
Involve Students in the Process
Students are the best test audience. Ask them what they need. Let them help design solutions. They’ll tell you fast what’s working.
Borrow from Other Fields
Look at how small businesses or sports teams operate. Apply those systems to school challenges. Use what works elsewhere.
Build Partnerships
You don’t need to do it all alone. Partner with local businesses, libraries, or health clinics. Jordan did this to bring in resources without extra spending.
Let Educators Think Like Entrepreneurs
Education is full of smart, resourceful people. But many feel trapped by red tape and fear of failure. Entrepreneurial thinking gives them a way out. It opens the door to creativity, speed, and student-first solutions.
Andrew Jordan Principal proves what’s possible. He didn’t wait for new policies or budgets. He saw a need, used his experience, and tried something new.
The result? Higher student engagement, stronger community trust, and a school culture that welcomes innovation.
That’s the power of entrepreneurial thinking. It’s not a business model. It’s a mindset. And schools everywhere need more of it.
