New Teen Center and high school providing unique opportunities for local students

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The Boys and Girls’ Club celebrated the grand opening of its new teen center in Downtown South Bend on Friday. 

Mayor Mueller and Congressman Rudy Yakym were among two local leaders in attendance for the ribbon cutting. 

‘The Club’ is a partnership between The Boys and Girls' Clubs of St. Joseph County and the Career Academy Network of Public Schools. Both groups are working to reimagine the high school experience for students. 

The Portage School of Leaders challenges the traditional high school education. It’s designed to give students opportunities to figure out what they like doing and what they’re good at. Then, the school helps them find a career that matches up with those skills and interests. 

Tuition is free, and all St. Joe County families are welcome to apply! 

The new building also includes the future lab, which will offer a space for students to collaborate and get hands-on experience with state-of-the-art equipment across different industries, like 3D printers and nursing simulation labs. 

There are positions open at The Portage School of Leaders, and The Boys and Girls Clubs could also use volunteers to help with operations in the coming weeks. 

You can read more about ‘The Club’ here. 

To learn more about The Portage School of Leaders, and to view a list of open positions, visit its website!