DENVER -- Break time at CEC Middle College in Denver is buzzing with students looking for a morning snack or caffeine fix.

It's a demand that has supplied business students with a unique educational opportunity: a coffee bar called The Morning Roast which was designed, built and operated by students.

"It's a company made two years ago through a business class," said Roman Padilla, a senior at the school. He is one of the students taking advantage of this real world training.

"I'm learning how to run a business, what work it takes to run it and what extra stuff you need to do to keep the business up and going," Padilla said.

From communication skills to managing inventory and counting money, The Morning Roast takes business education well beyond the classroom.

"We can bridge the gap between core academics and careers," said Robert Hofmann, the business teacher who manages the coffee bar. "When a student at their home high school says, 'You know, why do I need to know math?' the math teacher can give them an answer. But here, we can apply why you need to know math."

Perhaps the best feature of this program is that it's self-funded at a time when school budgets are shrinking. All profits go towards the school's general fund.

"It goes back to all the students and that's great because it's a common goal for everyone," Hofmann said.

Padilla said his experience at The Morning Roast will help him become a successful employee and perhaps, his own boss.

"After working here, I think I'd want to try and open up a coffee shop because it's kind of cool," Padilla said.

Now, Hofmann and his students are planning to franchise the coffee bar, expanding to the Denver Public Schools administration building and other high schools in the district. These coffee bars would also be run by students.