A cup of coffee has become a critical part of many mornings. Everyone’s routine is different, but only a handful include a high school in their morning ritual.
As the clock ticks closer to the start of school, the line at Bagpiper’s Bistro grows. It’s Shadle Park High School’s student run coffee shop right inside the building’s main entrance.
Students and teachers alike have made stopping by the Bagpiper’s Bistro for their morning – and afternoon – cup of coffee part of their routine. Students at SPHS take the orders, run the register, brew the coffee and serve drinks every day, receiving class credit for the work.
“It’s a really fun class. You get to make new friends. You get to interact with people in the morning and lunches,” Kyle Scott, Bagpiper’s Bistro Barista and SPHS Senior, said.
Beyond class credit and a good time, the students also learn valuable business skills while running the coffee stand. Several of the students in this year’s class have already used their skills to secure jobs at coffee shops in Spokane.
“It gives me really good team working skills,” Scott said. “You have to be able to communicate well, which is super important in the job.”
The bistro is part of DECA, a program in high schools nationwide dedicated to preparing students for careers in business and management. Proceeds from the coffee stand financially support students attending DECA events and conferences.
While Bagpiper’s Bistro is unique to SPHS, other SPS high schools run similar programs to give their students the same experience.
Students were interviewed by KREM 2 News in anticipation of National Coffee Day last week: