Grade 7 and 8 students across the Thames Valley District School Board, including those in St. Thomas, are getting a head start on their careers through a new entrepreneurship project called the Art of the Pitch. The Thames Valley District School Board announced the initiative on March 10, 2026, to help students develop, market, and present their own business ideas.
The program provides students with real-world experience in creating a service or product from scratch. Throughout the semester, participants will receive mentorship and guidance from Junior Achievement (JA) of South Western Ontario to help them refine their concepts and marketing plans.
Students will focus on building persuasive pitches and practicing their public speaking skills. This hands-on learning is designed to teach young people the fundamentals of business and financial literacy before they reach high school.
The project is set to finish in the spring of 2026 with a special presentation event inspired by the television show Dragons’ Den. During this finale, students will pitch their business concepts to a panel of expert judges who will evaluate their work and provide feedback.
