SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Special education students at Parkview High School gain business and collaboration experience by operating a dog treat business known as the Parkview ‘Bark’ery.
At the Barkery, located in the Parkview Functional Skills kitchen, students mix, bake, frost, package and sell dog treats. Teachers opened the business in 2017 with the help of a Springfield Public Schools grant, and have been baking alongside the students ever since.
“We wanted our students to be able to experience a business, and we wanted to bring a real-world experience into the classroom,” said Parkview Barkery co-founder and Functional Skills teacher Kim Duncan. “We thought ‘okay how is that going to happen? We’ve got to have a business.'”
Special ed students partnered with a marketing class called DECA to draft the Barkery logo, that went on to place in a state competition.
Peanut butter, blueberry, pumpkin and plain flavors cost $6.50 per bag, and iced biscuits run for $7.50. Students sell the treats online or in-person at school events.
