Life at CALE: The Story Behind G&G Café
Sometimes the best learning starts with a simple conversation.
Recently, two CALE middle school students decided to turn their love of baking into something more. What began as an idea quickly grew into G&G Café — a student-run café serving homemade cookies, brownies, cakes, coffee, and other delicious treats before school.
A few weekends each month, these students are in the kitchen baking from scratch. On café mornings, they arrive early to set up, welcome customers, and serve students, parents, and teachers with confidence and pride.
CALE Co-Director Dr. Jill Brown smiles as she watches it unfold:
“Our students are running the show and absolutely nailing it. I’m so proud of these kids!”
And they truly are running it.
From researching material costs and creating a menu, to shopping for ingredients, pricing items, promoting the café, managing orders, counting funds, and reimbursing expenses — every step has been student-led. They’ve learned what it feels like to sell out on opening day, adjust a menu based on demand, invite others to contribute baked goods, and even navigate “personnel” challenges when more students want to join the team.
In other words — they’re learning what real business owners learn.
Even more meaningful? The funds raised from G&G Café are donated to the newly launched CALE Kindness Club, helping spread kindness throughout our school and community.
At CALE, this is what learning looks like.
We believe education should go beyond textbooks. When students take an idea and bring it to life, they build confidence, communication skills, problem-solving ability, leadership, collaboration, and resilience. These are the skills they will carry into future jobs, secondary education, volunteer work, and everyday life.
It’s been incredible to watch our students, families, and staff rally around these young entrepreneurs. What started as two students with a passion for baking has become a living example of what makes CALE unique.
Real ideas. Real responsibility. Real growth.
And we can’t wait to see where it leads next.