The Olive Grove Vocational Program
A clear path for students ages 14-17 to grow in skill, character, and faith through real work and service.
Quick Answer
What Is The Olive Grove Vocational Program?
The Olive Grove Vocational Program is a structured education program for students ages 14-17 who have finished eighth grade. It follows the cooperative education tradition our community has maintained since 1955.
The program has three parts: a weekly vocational class, volunteer service, and workplace experience. Together, these help students grow in skill, faith, and readiness for adult life.
Quick Facts
Open to: Students who completed 8th grade at Olive Grove or an Old Order Amish or Mennonite parochial school
Program length: Ages 14 through 17
Enrollment: One-time process, $250 enrollment fee
Vocational class: One day per week, 36 weeks
How The Program Works
What Are The Three Parts Of The Program?
Every student in the Olive Grove Vocational Program takes part in three areas. Each one serves a different purpose.
Part 1 - Vocational Class
After eighth grade, every student attends a vocational class one day per week for one full school year. That is 36 weeks of class.
Students may attend either an Olive Grove vocational class or an Old Order Amish vocational class. Both count the same toward program requirements.
This class is required. It is the educational foundation the rest of the program builds on.
Part 2 - Volunteer Service
Volunteer service is an important part of growing up in faith and community. Students work in supervised teams helping elderly people, widows, and families in need. Common projects include lawn care, cleanup, painting, and simple repairs.
This is true service. It is not paid work. It will never be used as a replacement for hired labor or as a way around child labor laws. The purpose is to build character and teach that daily work is part of serving God.
Volunteer service is especially valuable for 14 and 15-year-olds while they build maturity and skill before entering the workforce.
Part 3 - Workplace Experience
The workplace portion of the Olive Grove Vocational Program runs under a state-recognized cooperative education framework. This is the same legal structure used by Career and Technical Centers across Pennsylvania.
Students may begin working once safety training and all enrollment documents are complete. Students work with employers who understand the legal guidelines, provide structured supervision, and take mentorship seriously.
After the first year of vocational class, students working with participating Olive Grove employers continue their education through at least 90 minutes of documented instruction each week. This may include safety training, approved course content, or organized company meetings. Students record this time in a weekly log.
Who Can Join
Who is the Olive Grove Vocational Program open to?
The program is open to students who have completed eighth grade. There are two ways to qualify.
First, students enrolled in Olive Grove schools are automatically eligible after finishing eighth grade.
Second, students who graduated from an Old Order Amish or Mennonite parochial school may apply to join the program as well.
Enrollment is a one-time process. Once a student joins, they stay enrolled until age 18. Parents and students complete the application together and submit the one-time $250 enrollment fee.
Students who are only interested in volunteering may still participate. Volunteer participation is open to all enrolled students at no additional step.
Age Specific Information
Does It Matter How Old The Student Is?
Yes. Pennsylvania child labor law has different rules for different ages. The Olive Grove Vocational Program is built to work within those rules.
Students Ages 14-15
Students ages 14 and 15 do not receive any exemptions from restricted job tasks under current child labor law. This is true whether or not they are enrolled in the Vocational Program.
What the program does for this age group is connect students with employers who already understand the legal guidelines. Those employers provide structured supervision, safety training, and mentorship. The result is safer work environments and clearer expectations for everyone.
Students Ages 16-17
Students ages 16 and 17 who are enrolled in the program and working with a participating Olive Grove employer may qualify for expanded task allowances. These allowances are available under cooperative education law and create more job opportunities for older students.
These exemptions apply only when the student is working with a participating business that is enrolled in the Olive Grove Work Program.
Roles And Responsibilities
How Is The Program Structured?
Olive Grove Administration sets program standards and maintains legal compliance. Regional Vocational Directors support businesses and collect student progress data. Students and parents handle enrollment, permits, and weekly logs. Participating businesses provide supervision, instruction, and a safe workplace. Each group signs a clear agreement before work begins.
Learn More About How The Vocational Program Is Structured
Common Questions About Our Vocational Program
Does my child need a work permit?
Yes. Before working anywhere other than a farm, students must get a valid work permit from their local public school district. This must happen before they start any job.
What does the $250 enrollment fee cover?
The one-time fee covers enrollment in both the Work Program and the Volunteer Program. It is paid once and does not repeat each year.
Can my child work for an employer who is not part of the Olive Grove program?
Yes. The school does not control where students work. A student may work for any employer they choose. However, the expanded task allowances for ages 16-17 are only available when working with a participating Olive Grove employer.
Who is responsible for following child labor law?
Parents and businesses are responsible for knowing and following Pennsylvania child labor law. Olive Grove Christian School provides guidance and a clear framework but does not assume liability for violations. A signed agreement confirming this understanding is part of the enrollment process.
Can students from other Amish schools join?
Yes. Students who graduated from an Old Order Amish or Mennonite parochial school may apply to enroll in the Olive Grove Vocational Program..
How long does the program last?
Students may stay enrolled from after eighth grade until age 18. The program is designed to support students through their full working and learning years as a teenager.
Closing
Ready to enroll or learn more?
The Olive Grove Vocational Program gives students a clear, lawful, and faith-grounded path into the working world. It connects families, schools, and local businesses around a shared commitment to raising young people who reflect Christ in their daily work.
Enrollment is open to any student who has completed eighth grade at Olive Grove or an affiliated Old Order Amish or Mennonite parochial school.