Work Experience MVA - LPS Real World Learning

Internships allow students to work under the guidance of a qualified supervisor at an approved worksite or other locations. Students collaborate with professionals and perform authentic job tasks as assigned. These experiences might include academic credit (high school or college) or compensation, and involve up to 120 hours of engagement. The student’s performance is evaluated by their work manager as well as their teacher.

Network 53

Network 53 offers real world learning opportunities for high school juniors and seniors. Students work with the Career Navigators at each school to find an internship. During the school year, students are onsite with different businesses learning the ins and outs of different careers. They may spend up to six hours on site in a career field in which they have interest. This allows them to build their professional network and learn about different industries before they graduate.

A young woman in a black hoodie holds a blue vial in the foreground, while shelves stocked with medical supplies and laboratory equipment fill the background.

A young man helps another student, who is writing on a whiteboard, in a classroom decorated with motivational posters.

Education Internship Program

The Education Internship Program (EIP) was created over 25 years ago for high school seniors with an interest in teaching or a human services field. This dual credit education course offers an intensive, hands-on experience within a classroom setting at the elementary or middle school level. As interns, students learn about educational theories and best practices, research and explore choice topics, serve in the community, and participate in regional, state, and national organizations, conferences, and competitions.

Collegiate Nursing Academy

The Collegiate Nursing Academy is an option for students in their senior year of high school who are interested in medicine and have a desire to become a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA). This 7.5-hour dual credit program is designed to provide students with a learning experience in healthcare that exposes participants to the nursing profession, the educational expectations and academic rigor expected of those who plan to enter the nursing field through partnership with William Jewell College, clinical experience at Liberty Hospital, and the necessary preparation to earn the CNA certification.

A group of students in teal scrubs pose for a photo in a hallway with a %22Greatest of Nursing%22 sign on the wall.

Two individuals are engrossed in their laptops at a round table in the foreground, while a large monitor displaying %22KALI%22 and other attendees are visible in the blurred background.

CIPHER

CIPHER (Cyber Internship Program for High School Education and Readiness) is a partnership between William Jewell College and LPS. This 5-8 hour dual credit program is designed to provide high school students with multiple market value assets in cybersecurity, including a Google Cybersecurity Certificate and internship experience. CIPHER provides a head start on the knowledge, skills, and experience they need to thrive in this critical and ever-evolving field, all before graduating high school.

Northland CAPS

Northland Center for Advanced Professional Studies (Northland CAPS) provides professional educational experiences for students in the Northland region of Kansas City. With classes housed in several business locations throughout Clay and Platte counties, high school juniors and seniors engage in immersive educational experiences for high-demand, high-skill careers.

Northland CAPS is a year-long program where in the fall student associates tackle real-world projects for local businesses, gaining hands-on experience and adding value to the community. They learn essential technical skills and professional competencies. In the spring, student associates put these skills into practice through internships with industry professionals.

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Registered Apprenticeships

Registered Apprenticeships are a unique pathway that allows high school juniors and seniors to earn wages, gain real-world experience, and begin developing the skills needed for high-demand careers. A Registered Apprenticeship is a structured “earn and learn” model that combines:

Paid, on-the-job training
Related classroom instruction aligned with industry standards
Hands-on learning with a workplace mentor
A structured training plan approved by the U.S. Department of Labor

Apprentices...

Experience a real workplace and explore a career path
Develop confidence, independence, and employability skills
Earn money and school credit while learning valuable skills
Often continue the apprenticeship after graduation, potentially leading to long-term career opportunities
Earn a U.S. Department of Labor Certificate of Apprenticeship Completion

School-Based Work Experiences

School-based work experiences such as coffee shops housed at LPS high schools, LTown Tees screen printing business at LHS, and the Convenient Eagle store at LNHS, assist students with learning employment and vocational skills in a hands-on setting.

Specialized instruction focuses on skills such as social interactions, money skills, and developing independence with job tasks. These experiences are designed to support the post-secondary transition goals in a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).

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Career and Community Experiences

Career and Community Experiences are forms of specialized instruction at Liberty High School and Liberty North High School that support the post-secondary transition goals in a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). Students participate in non-paid work experiences with local community businesses. These community opportunities help students in establishing goals for their future, while preparing for the transition from high school to the world of work and adult life.

A worker in a yellow vest handles metal parts in a blue bin in the foreground, with industrial machinery and screens in the background.

Project MOST

Project MOST (Maximizing Opportunities for a Successful Transition) is a partnership between Liberty Public Schools and Magna Structures Liberty. Students who are 18+ with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) participate in real-life work experience and training to help them make a successful transition from school to productive adult life. This nine-month program provides training and career exploration, innovative adaptations, job coaching, and continuous feedback from teachers and Magna employees.