At Tiger Ventures, an XQ school in Endicott, New York, students work alongside local entrepreneurs in an incubator space that shares a building with the school. Up-and-coming businesses, artists, and organizations occupy the space rent-free; in exchange, they involve students in their work and coach students on their own projects.

Partnerships with higher education are another way to open up learning opportunities for students. In central Ohio, for example, Columbus State Community College leads a coalition of area colleges, employers, and school districts that’s dedicated to giving students the chance to earn free college credit while still in high school. Research shows that programs like these can improve college access, affordability, and success, particularly for low-income students.

Purdue Polytechnic High School in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the product of a partnership between Purdue University, business leaders, and industry partners. Instead of traditional courses, students at this XQ school take on real-world challenges, all carefully mapped to state standards. Students can earn college credits and in-demand industry credentials, advancing them on a pathway to social mobility and high-wage jobs—and qualified graduates will get direct admission to Purdue Polytechnic Institute. High school students also spend time on campus with Purdue Poly undergrads, where they get a first-hand taste of college life.