Starting next year, Cardinal Stritch students will spend four days in the classroom instead of five — using their remaining day to garner real-world experience through a “robust” internship program.

Under the new format, 10th through 12th graders will attend regular classes four days a week, and spend one full day off campus, interning at area businesses and nonprofits starting next fall. Sophomores will attend their internships on Tuesdays, juniors on Wednesdays, and seniors on Fridays. The school will provide transportation to and from their internships.

Students at the Catholic high school need to transition away from the traditional school format to become better prepared for life after high school, said Kevin Mullan, associate head of school for advancement and strategy. He said there is increasing competition for employment and a shifting global landscape.

“We know that what happens in the classroom is important, but that alone isn’t going to do it,” Mr. Mullan said. “Not for where our world is today and not for where it’s going to be tomorrow.”

“Our campus is now all over northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. Our faculty is now CEOs, senior leadership, and mentors at corporations across the region.”

Students will intern at several of Stritch’s corporate partners across northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan, school officials said. Ninth graders will take a yearlong internship readiness course geared toward teaching topics such as business etiquette, and using office computer programs.

Those already enrolled at Cardinal will have the opportunity to opt out of the new internship program and continue their traditional education, Mr. Mullan said. The internship will, however, be mandatory for all future incoming students.

For the past several years, Mr. Mullan said students implored school officials to expand the school’s current job shadowing program because of how much they learned. But the job shadowing program was not as involved as the forthcoming internship program.

“We’re not sending kids out to shadow,” he said. “We’re sending kids out to work. We’re sending kids out to do meaningful work at some of the best companies in our region to gain valuable experience.”

Sheri Caldwell, human resource director for the grain division at The Andersons, said they’re excited to partner with Stritch on its innovative program.

“We see value in providing experiences to students while at the same time it helps us to assess their potential as future employees.”

Currently, school officials are working with about 20 students on a pilot program that would allow them to start an internship as early as January. An open house to learn more about the program is scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. Nov. 4 at the school, 3225 Pickle Road in Oregon.

Although students will spend fewer days in a classroom overall, Stritch will maintain its high academic expectations, Mr. Mullan said.

“Providing a top-notch education is still a priority,” he said. “That will never change.”

Contact Javonte Anderson at janderson@theblade.com, 419-724-6065, or on Twitter @JavonteA.

First Published September 23, 2018, 1:44 a.m.