Teen Ed: Conspiracy or Failure?
By C.J. Meenan — The Strategist View
Entrepreneurship isn’t just about making money — it’s about turning ideas into action. It’s one of the biggest drivers of our economy. Small businesses, started by entrepreneurs, create most of the jobs in America. And many of those small businesses grow into big companies that shape our world.
So if entrepreneurship is that important, why don’t we teach it to teens right alongside math, history, or science? Is it just an oversight in our American education system? Or, is something bigger keeping teen entrepreneurship out of the classroom?
Call it conspiracy, call it failure —
the result is the same: wasted potential.
Why Start Early?
Think about sports. Athletes start practicing young so they can master the basics early. That foundation gives them a huge advantage as they grow.
Entrepreneurship works the same way. Teens who start exploring business skills early have more time to:
Build creativity by trying ideas out
Develop leadership and teamwork habits
Strengthen problem-solving muscles
The same is true in tech: kids who start coding, gaming, or building online communities early often develop sharper instincts and confidence in digital spaces. Why wouldn’t we give teens the same early runway for entrepreneurship?
Waiting until college means playing catch-up —
or worse, missing out altogether.
The Benefits for Teens
Teens who learn entrepreneurship gain more than just “business knowledge.” They build:
Confidence → You see your ideas matter.
Creativity → You get used to inventing, experimenting, and adapting.
Control → You feel ownership over your future instead of just waiting for opportunities.
These skills don’t just help in startups —
they boost success in school, careers, and everyday life.
A Global Movement (The Missing Piece)
Across the U.S. and around the world, interest in entrepreneurship is exploding. Colleges and universities are pouring resources into programs and startup centers. Adults everywhere are looking for ways to learn.
Parents, and teens themselves, report a huge interest in startup education. But here’s the catch: most teens in America still don’t get exposure until university — long after habits, skills, and mindsets are already formed. If the “business of America is business,” why are we waiting so long to teach it?
Meanwhile, the cost of college has soared to record highs, putting it out of reach for many young adults. Families everywhere are questioning whether a degree guarantees stability anymore. Trade schools are back in the spotlight as a practical option. But almost nobody is talking about a third path:
Teaching entrepreneurship early —
so teens can create opportunities instead of just waiting for them.
It’s ironic: universities now market entrepreneurship as premium programs, while most high schools ignore it completely. By the time teens hear the word “startup” in a classroom, the habits of waiting for instructions are already locked in. Again, oversight — or something bigger?
Where Teens (and Parents) Can Start
That’s why we created XP Startup Labs. Our hyperclasses give parents a structured way to introduce teens (13+) to entrepreneurship in a safe, engaging, and easy-to-follow way.
And when teens are ready to go further? There’s Startup Pro — our ongoing mentorship and support community, hosted on a private Discord server. Teens already know and love Discord, and our space is built to keep learning fun and collaborative.
Our goal is to give everyone a safe, supportive place to build on bold ideas.
👉 If you’re 13 or older, talk with your parents about joining us at XP Startup Labs or exploring Startup Pro’s Discord community together.
⚠️ Important note: Our programs are designed for teens 13 and older, and we highly recommend full parental monitoring and involvement. Entrepreneurship is exciting — but safety and guidance matter first.