Students learn job skills through Hampton Middle School business

In 2018, special education teacher Amy Holtz went to Hampton Middle School principal Marlynn Lux with an idea to start a small business.

Neither of them could have imagined the success stories that would come from it. Fast-forward to 2024 and the HMS Express-O coffee-cart business is as popular as ever.

The HMS Express-O is touching lives of students and community members. Most recently, on Jan. 25, the team created 50 meals for families affiliated with the Ronald McDonald House.

This isn’t just any old startup business. It is organized and operated by the students at Hampton Middle School.

“Our students take on a leadership role by managing a small business in the form of a drink and food cart. Each Friday, our students visit classrooms at the end of the day to sell hot chocolate, candy and school supplies to faculty, staff and fellow students,” Lux explained.

The skills they learn can be taken with them to the next chapters of their lives.

“They are tasked with managing this business, requiring them to build their interpersonal skills and calculate the financials of the business. These student leaders take their role seriously,” the principal said.

Holtz’s idea has helped numerous students succeed in real-world positions.

“She recognizes the value of tasking our students with leadership opportunities, which require them to build interpersonal and real-life skills,” said Lux.

Holtz has been teaching special education for 21 years, including 16 at Hampton, where she is the department chair.

“This opportunity allows students to practice their social, vocational and communication skills, which will prepare them for the Busy Bean at Hampton High School and beyond,” Holtz said, referencing another student vocational opportunity. “It was important for me to help create this hands-on opportunity for students because I saw a need to provide real-world job experiences to students in middle school.”

Students learn how to perform tasks such as stocking and taking inventory, marketing and advertising, money management and customer service. Giving back to the community has become an integral part of the business.

“Student employees have chosen a community partner within the past two years. Last year, we partnered with Beverly’s Birthdays, a local, nonprofit organization, and this year, the Ronald McDonald House of Pittsburgh,” said Holtz. “We try to choose an organization that has a wish list, so that we can shop for items during our annual shopping trip to the Richland Target.”

The business is growing each year, as well.

“We started this school-based business with only eight students, and now have a very inclusive program with over 30 student employees, which includes both general and special education students,” Holtz said.

She knows she made the right decision in launching the business because she often runs into former students who tell her about their memories working at HMS Express-O.

“Most recently, a former student was hired at the Bitty & Beau’s, a franchise coffee shop that will be opening in the Strip District soon and employs people with disabilities,” said Holtz. “When she shared the news with me, I was so proud of her and all that she has accomplished to get to this point in her life. I hope that many more of my former students will follow her lead.”

Follow @hms_expresso on Instagram for updates.