Student-run snack store at Park City Learning Center teaches life skills — and students are eating it up

Three of the Transition program students managing the school snack store alongside their teacher, Jen Ward. Photo: TownLift // Michele Roepke

PARK CITY, Utah — A student-run snack store at the Park City Learning Center is doing more than satisfying afternoon cravings — it’s building job skills for special education students and fostering connections across two programs that share the Kearns Campus building.

The store, organized by the Special Education Transition class, was made possible by a grant from the nonprofit Park City Education Foundation. Teacher Jen Ward told TownLift the funding has been essential to getting the program off the ground this school year, stating that it wouldn’t be possible without the grant.

The concept is straightforward: High school students earn tickets from teachers and staff for good behavior, attendance, strong grades and random acts of kindness. They then use those tickets as currency to purchase snacks and drinks from the store, which is managed exclusively by students in the Special Education Transition program.

Ward integrates the store’s daily operations into her curriculum, giving every student in the Transition program a hands-on role. Grant funds are used to purchase the store’s inventory, and the Transition students handle each step of the business — from budgeting and procurement to stocking shelves, pricing items and running the register during designated hours.

The skills students practice include financial management, such as operating within a budget and pricing items; procurement, including selecting and purchasing inventory; inventory tracking, like maintaining stock and managing daily store openings; customer service, including facilitating transactions and engaging with the student body; and creative problem-solving, such as when students introduced “mystery grab bags” filled with assorted treats. The surprise element became an instant hit with high school customers.

While the Transition students gain professional experience, the broader high school population is engaged through the merit-based ticket system. Teachers and staff distribute tickets as incentives, aiming to ensure that positive behavior is recognized and that each student feels seen and appreciated.

The system also quietly addresses a more fundamental need. By providing snacks to all students through the same ticket exchange, the store helps feed hungry students without singling them out — addressing food insecurity discreetly and without stigma.

There are no barriers to participation, and the inclusivity has had a noticeable effect on school morale. High school students are motivated to earn tickets, and the Transition students are practicing real-world work skills. The daily interactions have brought together two programs housed at the Learning Center that might not otherwise overlap, creating what staff describe as a genuine sense of community.

The post-high-school-aged Special Education Transition program focuses on employment readiness and social skill development. Running the store gives students opportunities to practice those skills in preparation for independent living and life after school.

What the high school students say

TownLift asked the high school students what the best thing about the store is.

“It makes our week. The best thing about it is we get to interact with the other kids and help out. It is a small thing for us, but a big thing for them to practice talking to other people. They are hustlers!” — Marisela

“They are always so excited to see us when we come to the store with our tickets. It is fun for them and for us.” — Layla

“We get to talk to them and ask them about their lives, and they like selling us stuff.” — Kenya

“The kids that run the store are so kind and nice.” — Major

“We get to interact with other kids and see they are practicing communicating with other people that are not their teachers.” — Kaomi

“They get to practice counting and we get snacks. It benefits both of us.” — Julie

What the Transition students say

“It helps with our communication skills, math skills, budgeting skills and social skills.” — Anonymous

“I like stocking the store.” — Alex

“I like taking and counting the tickets.” — Olivia

“I like stocking the drinks.” — Kira

“I like greeting the customers.” — Eliyana

“I like talking to the high school students and asking what they want.” — Dallin

Two high school volunteers weigh in

Junior Lizzy Dooley and senior Grace Wilson both work with the store program. After graduating from Park City High School next month, Wilson’s goals include possibly attending Salt Lake Community College and working with her dad, who is in lighting sales.

“All these students running the store are super nice,” Wilson told TownLift. “It’s cool because it’s teaching me what it could be like to work with special needs people. I’ve learned that a lot of people treat them like they’re kids, but they’re adults, you know, they’re just like everybody else… they’re just sweet, genuine people.”

“The main part of the store is that it gives people a chance to learn how to do skills that are important to them through life, not just school skills,” Dooley said. “It teaches them how to work at a store, and how to work in public places. It’s all totally cool.”

“It also teaches me a lot of patience with other people, and it gives me a chance to talk to people I wouldn’t normally talk to,” she continued. “Once you really get to know these students, they’re all super nice and we’re all now new friends.”

About the Park City Learning Center

The Park City Learning Center, located on the Kearns Campus, offers unique programming for Park City High School students. Based on individual needs, students may have a modified class schedule, individual mental health support, credit recovery, support for students returning from out-of-district therapeutic programs, or a space to participate in academic programming with smaller, more intimate class settings.

Learning Center students are part of Park City High School, have credits entered on PCHS transcripts and can earn a Park City High School diploma. The center offers core courses for ninth- through 12th-graders needed for graduation, and students take elective courses at Park City High School. Enrollment is by counselor referral only. The Learning Center falls under the administration of PCHS Principal Caleb Fine.