Course Overviews

This year-long elective class for students in grades 10-12 is an introduction to the basic principles of accounting and mirrors the financial accounting course that students will likely take in an Accounting or Business Major class at a college or university level. The class meets every day for approximately 50 minutes, culminating with a final exam at the end of the school year. Algebra I is the only prerequisite for this course, and students do not require any prior business knowledge in order to be successful, although both problem solving and critical analytical thinking are used and applied consistently.

Throughout the course students will work with two different types of businesses – proprietorships and corporations. Each type of business will be presented in the complete accounting cycle.

Accounting Cycle

• Analysis of business transactions

• Record journal entries

• Post journal entries to general ledger accounts

• Prepare unadjusted trial balance

• Make adjusting entries

• Complete adjusted trial balance

• Prepare financial statements

• Record closing entries

• Prepare post-closing trial balance

Current accounting practices and procedures will be introduced using 21st century business examples and technology will be integrated through MindTap from CENGAGE Learning. Each student will receive a license to use an e-book “Century 21 11E General Leger”. Chapters in the e-book will include:

• A Google Slides presentation

• Key terms review

• Audit your understanding questions

• Flashcards and study guides

• Accounting problems using online working papers from Aplia:

  • Work-Together; On-Your-Own; Application; Mastery; Challenge; Recycling

• Reinforcement activities by unit

In addition, each chapter includes Accounting in the Real World articles and critical thinking questions, Ethics in Action activities, Think-Like an Accountant spreadsheet analysis assignments, 21st Century Skills problems and Analyzing Nike’s Financial Statements.

Students interested in business at a fundamental level and those who may consider an accounting, entrepreneurial or business career are encouraged to enroll in the course.

This 5 credit course helps fulfill the state graduation requirements for “at least 5 credits in Career Readiness, Life Literacies and Key Skills.”

The curriculum is aligned to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards and the National Business Education Association Standards for Accounting.

The interdisciplinary and experiential nature of Business Education (where rigorous academic concepts are coupled with real-world hands-on lessons) allows connections to many NJ standard areas.  As such, where applicable, integrations to the other New Jersey Student Learning Standards and Cumulative Progress Indicators have been noted (including the NJSLS areas of Comprehensive Health and Physical Education, Science, Social Studies, Visual & Performing Arts, World Languages, and Computer Science & Design Thinking), along with integrations to the Student Learning Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics.

Investing is a semester course that builds on the understanding of investing found in Financial Literacy. Students will explore how a company’s performance on the stock market can be influenced by current events, understand how a diversified investment portfolio can include investment in the stock market, and understand the risks associated with the stock market and how a diversified portfolio interacts with those risks. Students will research companies’ finances and participate in a simulation to buy and sell stocks in a fictional stock market. 

The goal for Business Presentations is to develop students as comfortable, confident, effective presenters in business settings.  The class will employ a step-by-step and project-based approach to teach students the full capabilities of Google Slides and Microsoft PowerPoint, including using templates, working with charts and tables, creating handouts, and integrating sound, images, video and other media effectively. Students will also learn to use an appropriate framework to develop presentations and techniques to deliver them effectively. With the help of real-world examples, hands-on techniques, and review questions, the students will be able to clearly communicate their knowledge and ideas for a variety of uses now and in the future.

Business Presentations is a semester long elective class for students in any grade level.  The class meets every day for approximately 50 minutes for two marking periods culminating with a final exam/presentation at the end of the second consecutive marking period.  There are no prerequisites for this course.  This curriculum for this 2.5 credit class is aligned to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. Performance Expectations and Cumulative Progress Indicators have been noted in the NJSLS areas of Speaking and Listening, Writing, and Career Readiness, Life Literacy and Key Skills.

The goal for this course is to develop a greater awareness and appreciation of how our laws and legal system impact society now and in the future.  The scope of study will include the development of our laws and structure of our court system, the Constitution and Bill of Rights,  criminal and personal injury law, making ethical decisions, laws currently affecting students, and business law, which will include contracts, setting up a business, owning property, and bankruptcy.  Students will gain and display knowledge through classroom and small-group discussions, case studies, guest speakers, problems and written exercises, and participation in mock trials. 

Law is a semester long elective class for students in grades 9-12.  The class meets every day for approximately 50 minutes for two marking periods culminating with a final exam at the end of the second consecutive marking period.  There are no prerequisites for this course.  This curriculum for this 2.5 credit class is aligned to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. Performance Expectations and Cumulative Progress Indicators have been noted in the NJSLS areas of Social Studies, Speaking and Listening, Writing, and Career Readiness, Life Literacy and Key Skills.

Have you ever wanted to start your own business? Do you want to be your own boss? An

Entrepreneur is someone who organizes, manages and assumes the risks of a business or

enterprise. This course will provide you with the skills needed to realistically evaluate your

potential as a business owner and teach you the essential tools to successfully run your own

business. We will explore business opportunities, develop a business plan, promote and market

your business, and learn how to finance, operate and manage your business. 

Throughout the course students will work both individually and collaboratively through six robust units covering all areas of entrepreneurship. A brief summary of each unit is provided as follows:

Unit I - Should You Become an Entrepreneur; Entrepreneurs in a Market Economy; Developing a Business Plan

• The goal of the first unit is to teach the students all about Entrepreneurship. They will explore business ideas and opportunities, learn how to problem solve, understand how to satisfy consumer needs and wants and how to create an effective Business Plan.

Unit II -Identify and Meet a Market Need; Market Your Business; Distribution, Promotion & Selling

• Students will research and identify their target market, learn about and understand their competition, develop the Marketing Plan for the business, cover all aspects of the marketing mix and implement selling and promotional strategies for their product or service.

Unit III – Select a Type of Ownership; Locate and Set Up Your Business

• Students will determine whether to start your own business, purchase an existing business or join the family business. We will discuss which legal form of business (sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or franchise) makes the most sense for their business and the legal issues they may face as a business owner. Finally, the students will choose a location for their business and learn how to purchase equipment, supplies and inventory for the business.

Unit IV - Plan and Track Your Finances; Operations Management

• Students will learn how to finance their business (raise capital), develop an understanding for accounting through keeping business records and preparing pro-forma financial statements, and how to successfully and profitably operate the business.

Unit V - Human Resource and Risk Management

• Students will understand how to identify staffing needs for the business, hire employees and put policies and procedures in place for the employees to follow. Additionally, students will learn how to insurance against risks and discover what other risks that businesses may face along the way.

Unit VI - Management for the Future (Growth Strategies)

• The final unit introduces global trends and opportunities for businesses, and looks at growth strategies and ethical and social issues that their business might face. The Entrepreneurship class concludes with students completing their Business Plan for their business idea and presenting it to their peers and I for potential financing.

Students interested in business at a fundamental level and those who may consider an entrepreneurial, business or accounting career are encouraged to enroll in the course.

This 2.5 credit semester course helps fulfill the state graduation requirements for “at least 5 credits in Career Readiness, Life Literacies and Key Skills.”

The curriculum is aligned to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards and the National Business Education Association Standards for Business.

The interdisciplinary and experiential nature of Business Education (where rigorous academic concepts are coupled with real-world hands-on lessons) allows connections to many NJ standard areas.  As such, where applicable, integrations to the other New Jersey Student Learning Standards and Cumulative Progress Indicators have been noted (including the NJSLS areas of Comprehensive Health and Physical Education, Science, Social Studies, Visual & Performing Arts, World Languages, and Computer Science & Design Thinking), along with integrations to the Student Learning Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics.

Marketing develops a greater awareness and appreciation of marketing principles and its impact in business and society, as well as provide a foundation for those majoring in marketing or business. The scope of study will include basic marketing concepts, marketing strategy and planning, Social Media and E-Commerce, and the four P’s of Marketing (Product, Price, Promotion and Place). Students will gain and display knowledge through classroom and small group discussions, case studies, guest speakers, problems and written exercises, and the creation and strategic execution of a product and marketing plan. 

Personal Financial Literacy is part of a vision to prepare students for the dynamically changing 21st century. We have a need to prepare our students for the real-world marketplace and we must give them the skills to better handle their personal finances. 

The goal of Financial Literacy is to provide students with the tools to become financially responsible individuals. Students will understand career preparation and job acquisition skill, describe the nature of tax liabilities, prepare a budget, make decisions regarding their personal banking needs, evaluate saving and investing options to meet financial goals, analyze factors that affect the choice of credit and managing debt, and protect themselves against possible identity theft.

The curriculum will meet or exceed the requirements of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (2020). It includes the following units:

• Income & Careers

• Share, Save, Spend (Budgeting)

• Becoming a Critical Consumer

• Investing

• Banking/Checking Accounts

• Credit Management

• Taxes

Sports and Entertainment Marketing is a dynamic and rapidly expanding field. This semester-long elective meets daily and has a prerequisite of Marketing. Students eager to explore business opportunities within sports and entertainment will delve into the industry's intricacies, including sales, promotion, event management, licensing, and sponsorships. The course culminates in a hands-on simulation where students manage their own sports franchise.

This 2.5 credit semester course helps fulfill the state graduation requirements for “at least 5 credits in Career Readiness, Life Literacies and Key Skills.”

The curriculum is aligned to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards, specifically Career Readiness, Life Literacies, & Key Skills.

The interdisciplinary and experiential nature of Business allows connections to many NJ standard areas.  As such, where applicable, integrations to the other New Jersey Student Learning Standards have been noted in the areas of Comprehensive Health and Physical Education, English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, World Languages, and Computer Science & Design Thinking.

The Intro to Business course introduces students to the world of business. Topics covered include types of business ownership, marketing, accounting, human resources, management, finance, ethics, and economics. These concepts are presented through classroom discussion and project-based learning. Students considering business careers or college studies are encouraged to take this course.  This course is most appropriate for freshmen students who would like to explore the professional world of business before taking higher-level business courses.

Throughout the course, students will work both individually and collaboratively through four engaging units covering 4 modules each. A brief summary of each unit is provided as follows:

Unit 1: Introduction to Business

Module 1: What is Business?

• Defining business and its importance 

• Types of Businesses

• The Role of Business in Society

• The History of Business

Module 2: Forms of Business Ownership

• Benefits and drawbacks of each

• Sole proprietorships

• Partnerships

• Corporations

• Limited liability company’s (LLC)

Module 3: Entrepreneurship

• Defining entrepreneurship

• Entrepreneurial Mindset

• Characteristics of successful entrepreneurs

• Entrepreneurship opportunities

• Entrepreneurship challenges

Module 4: Business Ethics and Social Responsibility

• Defining business ethics

• Ethical decision-making in business

• Corporate social responsibility

• Sustainability in business

Unit 2: Marketing and Sales

Module 1: Marketing Basics

• Overview of marketing concepts and techniques

• The marketing mix: product, price, place and promotion

• Marketing research and analysis

Module 2: Consumer Behavior

• Understanding consumers

• Factors affecting consumer behavior

• Consumer decision-making process

Module 3: Marketing Strategies

• Target market selection

• Branding

• Advertising and promotion

• Sales channels

Module 4: Sales and Sales Management

• Sales process and techniques

• Sales force management

• Customer relationship management (CRM)

• Sales forecasting and planning

Unit 3: Accounting and Finance

Module 1: Introduction to Accounting

• Defining accounting

• Accounting principles and concepts

• Types of financial statements

Module 2: Financial Analysis

• Financial ratios and analysis

• Cash flow analysis

• Budgeting and forecasting

Module 3: Financial Management

• Financial planning

• Capital structure

• Risk management

• Investment decisions

Module 4: Personal Finance

• Budgeting and financial planning

• Credit and debt management

• Investing for the future

• Retirement planning

Unit 4: Operations and Management

Module 1: Operations Management

• Defining operations management

• Production and operations planning

• Quality management

• Supply chain management

Module 2: Human Resource Management

• Recruitment and selection

• Performance management

• Employee training and development

• Labor relations

Module 3: Organizational Behavior

• Organizational culture and structure

• Motivation and leadership

• Communication in organizations

• Conflict resolution

Module 4: Global Business

• Globalization and international trade

• Managing cultural differences

• Expanding into foreign markets

• Ethics and social responsibility in a global context

Students interested in business at a fundamental level and those who may consider a business, finance, accounting or entrepreneurial career are encouraged to enroll in the course. 

This 2.5 credit semester course helps fulfill the state graduation requirements for “at least 5 credits in Career Readiness, Life Literacies and Key Skills.” 

The curriculum is aligned to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards and the National Business Education Association Standards for Business. 

The interdisciplinary and experiential nature of Business Education (where rigorous academic concepts are coupled with real-world, hands-on lessons) allows connections to many NJ standard areas. As such, where applicable, integrations are noted to the other New Jersey Student Learning Standards (including the NJSLS areas of Comprehensive Health and Physical Education, English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Visual & Performing Arts, World Languages, and Computer Science & Design Thinking).