Course Information

Course Descriptions

Business & Entrepreneurship Academy​ Academy  (or "Business Academy") offers two pathways: Finance and Marketing. Business Academy is designed to provide students with the skills and experience necessary to attain entry-level jobs in a career field, as well as the academic preparation for post-secondary education.  Business Academy encourages high achievement by linking students’ course work to academic and industry standards. Students  also develop relationships with local businesses and higher education institutions to develop college and scholarship opportunities for students.

Career Preparedness: This required, one-credit course prepares students with content knowledge and skills in the areas of career development and academic planning, computer skill application, and financial literacy. This course meets the 20 hour online experience requirement. In addition, this course focuses on three integrated areas of instruction- academic planning and career development, financial literacy and technology. Course content ranges from college and career preparation to computer literacy skills to management of personal finances and reducing personal risks. The area of technology is designed to be interwoven throughout course instruction. Mastery of the content standards provides a strong foundation for student acquisition of the skills, attitudes, and knowledge that enable them to succeed in school, at work, and across their lifespan.The Financial Literacy Assessment that is required for graduation will be given during this course. This course fulfills the Career Preparedness graduation requirement, so it does not count as one of the 3 courses in World Languages, CTE, or Fine Arts that are required.

Economics and Financial Services: This course is designed to help students develop the knowledge and skills to make informed, responsible decisions that can affect their financial futures. To better navigate our nation’s financial systems, students will be exposed to information about saving and investing, using credit wisely, avoiding fraud, and a number of other financial topics. Students in this course will explore careers in finance. This course is on a rotation with Accounting and will be offered again in the 2026-2027 school year.

Accounting: Students will also be preparing for their internships by obtaining knowledge to gain the most value from their experience. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to basic financial accounting, including analyzing and recording business transactions, preparing and interpreting financial statements, demonstrating generally accepted accounting principles and performing banking and payroll activities.

Digital Marketing: Digital Marketing is a one-credit course that focuses on these skills. We learn the tools, strategies, and processes companies use to communicate digitally with customers. It also focuses on the skills needed to personalize one’s own digital brand – which is valued by colleges and employers. By the end of the course, you will have demonstrated an understanding of how social media and digital communication play a role in a company’s bottom line and have your own personal digital brand that will impress colleges, recruiters, and employers. This course is on a rotation with Marketing Principles and will be offered again in the 2026-2027 school year.

CTE Lab Marketing/Finance: CTE Lab in Marketing is designed to enhance students' general understanding and mastery of content in their chosen pathway. This course is designed as a learning laboratory to support students’ individual interests and goals. This laboratory may take place in a traditional classroom, in an industry setting, or in a virtual learning environment. Students are guided by standards where they learn and apply safety concepts, explore career opportunities and requirements, practice the skills needed to succeed in the workplace, develop leadership qualities, and take advantage of the opportunities afforded by Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs), and learn and practice essential digital literacy skills. CTSO membership and participation is required.

Advanced Accounting: Advanced Accounting teaches students as to how accounting serves as an information system for both individuals and businesses. Students will acquire knowledge of the four business processes: business organization and strategy, operating, capital resources, and performance measurement and management. They will learn how these processes are used to provide long-term direction for a business as well as how they are used to evaluate a business’s success. Students will also learn how to use the balanced scorecard approach to take a company’s strategy and relate it to measurable objectives in the areas of financial, internal, customer, and learning and growth so that management has a tool to evaluate performance and plan for the future.

Entrepreneurship/ Internship (Seniors Only): This course integrates the functional areas of business – accounting, finance, marketing, and management – and the legal and economic environment in which any new venture operates. Designed to provide students with the skills needed to effectively organize, develop, create, and manage a business with an emphasis on real-world entrepreneurs and real businesses. Students will complete a 140 hour compensated internship or complete Cooperative Education class.

Students involved with the SPHS Business Academy can earn a medal by completing 4 courses in either pathway along with completing a work-based learning component. For the work-based learning component, students can either successfully complete one section of Co-operative Education or complete a 140-hour compensated internship. Internship paperwork is located on this page under important documents. If a student completes both pathways which is 6 classes (2 concentrator courses in both pathways) they are eligible to earn 2 medals. 

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All Business & Entrepreneurship Academy students are encouraged to join DECA to develop their leadership skills, participate in community service activities, and compete in a variety of business related events.