Highlands Middle School launches Golden Bean Coffee Shop run by Life Skills students

The halls are buzzing at Highlands Middle School since the launch of a new student-run initiative: The Golden Bean Coffee Shop.

Twice a day, apron-clad teens scurry between classrooms to deliver coffee, tea and hot chocolate to thirsty teachers, many of whom have become loyal customers.

“It’s kind of cool to have a job in school,” sixth grader Joshua Bure said. “It’s working out great.”

The small-scale business, led by Life Skills teachers Bridgette Jodon and Amanda Coulter, doubles as hands-on classwork for their 35 students, who rotate duties each week.

“They are learning functional and academic skills,” Jodon said. “We make a graph of how many drinks we sell, and the kids use math skills when they restock the shelves each day.”

Students learn responsibility by collecting the orders from the main office, and they practice organization by processing them.

At a makeshift barista bar, students match the K-Cups and sweeteners with cups to be filled for each order.

There is a heavy focus on teamwork and problem-solving.

No money is processed by students. But in all other aspects, the class duplicates a business operation.

“Each person has a specific job, and they all have to rely on each other to get the job done,” Coulter said.

Six students work behind the coffee counter each week.

“It’s fun to see what everyone orders,” said Nevaeh Hassim, 12.

Jett Lloyd-Jackson, 12, said he enjoys the reaction from teachers when he pops through the door with their coffee or tea.

“Knowing a teacher will have a smile on their face is really nice,” he said.

Morning service begins at 8:45 a.m., and afternoon deliveries take place just after lunch.

“We’ve already had requests from people to expand our offerings, so now we’re doing iced coffee, as well,” Coulter said.

Teachers, including Kaitlyn Selfridge, perk up when they notice the bright yellow delivery tray heading their way.

She said the made-to-order beverages are a perfect pick-me-up in the early afternoon.

“It’s so nice to see the kids get excited and take ownership of this,” she said.

In mid-December, the middle school hosted a Coffee and Cookies event as a soft launch for The Golden Bean.

It created excitement among the staff and gave a much-needed boost of confidence to the young entrepreneurs.

“The students loved hosting and greeting all of their guests, and it was a wonderful experience,” she said.

Jodon actually hoped to get the business venture off the ground four years ago, believing it would go a long way in offering real-life learning opportunities for the students.

“Then covid happened, and we had to push it aside,” she said. “When we came back to school after the pandemic, we made it our mission.”

The shop has created such a stir that students offer a loyalty program for repeat patrons. Anyone who collects 10 gold stars gets a free beverage.

“My favorite job is putting the gold stickers on the cup,” student Maria Bianco said.