Luxemburg-Casco School District Superintendent Glenn Schlender is not afraid to say that the traditional setting for students is not for everyone. Instead, many of its students are finding more success outside of the classroom through its youth apprenticeship program. Taking just a couple classes a day, students are finding a new opportunity at local businesses. Schlender says 33 students are participating in the program this year and he is seeing a big difference in many of them.

Luxemburg-Casco and Kewaunee School Districts are teaming up on a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development so they become their own entity. The program’s success could go a long way in addressing the current skills gap in the American workforce that is only expected to grow more as baby boomers hit retirement age.