The CAPS Alumni Study reveals insights from 1,200 voices focused on student empowerment through innovative networks. The post Confidence, Engagement, and Love: The Missing Alumni Data that Will Transform K-12 appeared first on Getting Smart.
By Corey Mohn
Ten years ago, we made a bet on relationships over replication. Instead of franchising a model, we chose to build an ecosystem—the CAPS Network—grounded in the belief that an entrepreneurial approach would create ripples of innovation with exponential scaling power. We believed that by harnessing the power of relationships for good, we could help more students discover who they are and where they belong in the world.
Today, with over 1,200 alumni voices captured in our 2025 Alumni Impact Study, we’re seeing those ripples turn into waves. And we believe these waves can and will be surfed by educators all across the globe. We are committed to the idea that our purpose (providing more students in more places the time and space for self-discovery) is more important than our brand. As such, we want our learnings to be leveraged by anyone and everyone to make a positive impact.
Where Discovery Meets Practice
Let’s do some context setting. The CAPS model exists to help every student discover who they are—what they love to do, what they’re good at, and where their strengths can make a meaningful impact. The CAPS model uses profession-based learning as the vehicle for this self-discovery, engaging students in authentic, real-world projects that mirror professional practice. By working alongside industry and community partners, students test their interests, develop professional skills, and gain clarity about their best next steps. CAPS makes learning personal, purposeful, and connected in a way that makes a difference beyond the classroom.
The CAPS Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and global community of educators, schools, and partners advancing profession-based learning. The Network connects and supports affiliate programs through shared learning, professional development, and peer collaboration—creating space to exchange best practices, troubleshoot challenges, and learn from one another in real time. The true power extends far beyond learning how to implement a pedagogy. As a connected community, the Network accelerates innovation by creating a ripple effect—where exposure to new ideas, models, and mindsets sparks collaboration and continuous improvement. Affiliates mitigate risk by learning from others who are testing, iterating, and refining in parallel, allowing educators to thoughtfully adapt what fits their community and move forward with greater confidence.
The Results: More Than We Hoped For
The Alumni Impact Study data tells an incredibly powerful story on multiple fronts. CAPS alumni are entering the workforce earning 50% more than their national peers. Even more striking: 17.2% of alumni already earn six figures—a rate 3-4 times higher than their peers nationally.
But the numbers that matter most aren’t about dollars. When we asked alumni to describe their CAPS experience in a single word, one rose above all others: love. Not “useful.” Not “practical.” Love. They spoke of loving the freedom to explore, loving the relationships they built, and loving how CAPS made them feel seen and trusted.
The confidence data validates what they’re feeling. Alumni rated overall confidence at 4.84 out of 5 —up from 3.16 before. Their ability to conduct professional conversations jumped from 2.85 to 4.78. To respond positively to mistakes? From 3.12 to 4.82. These aren’t incremental gains. They’re transformational shifts in how young people see themselves and their potential.
Why This Matters Now
We’re releasing this study at a moment when traditional education is facing an existential crisis. By 2030, up to 70% of skills used in most jobs will change. Youth unemployment sits at 10.8%. And 72% of high school graduates report feeling unprepared for life beyond secondary school—75% don’t feel ready to make college or career decisions.
Meanwhile, CAPS alumni are thriving. Nearly 60% are currently enrolled in degree programs, concentrated in the exact fields facing the greatest workforce shortages. And they did not just participate in CAPS to build their resume and check a box—82% would recommend CAPS to a current student, 79% would participate again, and 78% are proud of their experience.
Make Your Move
This data isn’t meant to celebrate one network. It’s meant to unleash a movement. Download the full 2025 Alumni Impact Study at yourcapsnetwork.org/alumni and see what’s possible when we trust students to lead their own learning journey.
To the students who dared to stretch beyond their comfort zones and lead their learning: you are our motivation. You proved that when given authentic work, real relationships, and genuine trust, young people don’t just meet the standard—they obliterate the stereotypes of what students can contribute to the world.
To the educators, business leaders, and policymakers reading this: the blueprint is here. The evidence is clear. The question is simple: Will you make your move?
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Corey Mohn is the President and Executive Director of CAPS Network, empowering high school students to fast-forward into their future through real-world business projects and the development of professional skills. Prior to CAPS, Corey served as Director of Statewide Programs for the Kansas Center for Entrepreneurship.
In July 2015, Corey launched the CAPS Network, a consortium of school programs committed to this model of profession-based learning. CAPS Network has grown to include 138 affiliate programs, including over 200 school districts across 29 states and four countries. In January 2026, CAPS launched a first-of-its-kind network for middle school educators with support from BriteboundTM (formally American Student Assistance).
More information can be found at https://yourcapsnetwork.org
The post Confidence, Engagement, and Love: The Missing Alumni Data that Will Transform K-12 appeared first on Getting Smart.
