Frequently Asked Questions

Participating Local High Schools

  • Alpha Public Schools
  • Andrew Hill High School
  • Archbishop Mitty High School
  • Bellarmine College Preparatory
  • Cristo Rey Charter School
  • Downtown College Prep
  • Evergreen Valley High School
  • Gunderson High School
  • Independence High School
  • James Lick High School
  • KIPP
  • Leigh High School
  • Leland High School
  • Lincoln High School
  • Los Gatos High School
  • Mt. Pleasant High School
  • Notre Dame High School
  • Oak Grove High School
  • Overfelt High School
  • Piedmont Hills High School
  • Pioneer High School
  • Presentation High School
  • San Jose High School
  • Santa Teresa High School
  • Silver Creek High School
  • Willow Glen High School
  • Westmont High School
  • Yerba Buena High School

Important Information

What Is ELC?

ELC is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that teaches high school juniors how to conceptualize an idea for a product or service, develop it, write a business plan and then present it to a panel of judges. (Similar to the TV show “Shark Tank”)

During a 3-day workshop held at Asilomar Conference Grounds, students work in 12, 8-person teams to develop their idea for a product or service. Each team is accompanied by 2 Rotarians that serve as mentors and facilitators for the students.

Students are introduced to the roles of Marketing, Finance, Human Resources, and others as they develop their Business Plan. All teams present their Business Plan in a 10-minute presentation on the final day in a spirited but friendly competition.

Will visitors be allowed to see performances on the last day?

Yes.

Will students be COVID tested daily?

No. However- any students showing COVID/flu-like symptoms will be given a rapid test. If test comes back positive, the student will be quarantined and dismissed from the event. This will require a parent will need to pick him/her up from Asilomar immediately.

ELC will be subject to state/county and other governmental entities that may require certain protocols.

What are the sleeping/accommodation arrangements at Asilomar?

All students will be housed 4 students per room – gender separated.

Do I need to attend all 3 days?

Yes – all days are mandatory.

Will my school allow me to attend ELC and grant me an “excused absence”?

Please check directly with the school, as many do excuse the absence to attend the ELC program, but it is up to each school. Given the 40+ years of existence, ELC is well established and recognized in the community and Rotarians work hard to foster positive relationships with school administrators.

When will I be notified of acceptance?

Accepted students will be notified before TBA.

Will teams be all from the same school?

No – actually, just the opposite. Teams will be comprised of mixed schools.

ELC will be subject to state/county and other governmental entities that may require certain protocols.

Contact Us

For general questions about our ELC Program that couldn’t be answered with the information contained on this website, please feel free to contact:

Chair: Kathleen Thomas kthomas270@gmail.com

Co-Chair: Kathryn Vandiver kathrynvandiver@yahoo.com