Prerequisite: None
Grade: 11th - 12th grade
Length: Semester
Required Class for Graduation
Description: Students will explore key topics such as budgeting and managing checking and savings accounts. We interpret financial statements and identify the types and timing of insurance needed throughout the different stages of our lives. The course provides a comprehensive introduction to investing in stocks, bonds, CDs, IRAs, mutual funds, and index funds, with students participating in the Stock Market Game using real-time data. Students are taught how to build and maintain strong credit, improve their credit scores, and evaluate loan opportunities. Additionally, students complete a basic income tax return and analyze federal, state, local, excise, social security, and medicare taxes. The course concludes with an in-depth look at college costs and strategies for funding higher education effectively.
Prerequisite: None
Grade: 9th - 12th grade
Length: Semester
Elective Class
Description: This course provides students with a comprehensive foundation in fundamental accounting practices essential for operating a business. Throughout the semester, students will explore accounting for a service business structured as a proprietorship or small business. Key areas of focus include mastering journalizing, posting, analysis, and financial interpretation. These skills will equip students with the tools needed for successful navigation and decision-making in the business world.
This course is strongly recommended for students interested in careers in finance, management, business, entrepreneurship, or those planning to manage a family-owned business.
Prerequisite: Accounting I
Grade: 9th - 12th grade
Length: Semester
Elective Class
Description: Building on the foundational knowledge from Accounting I, this course delves deeper into financial accounting with a focus on corporate operations and the management of a merchandising business. Students will master advanced accounting techniques including analyzing and recording complex business transactions using special journals, maintaining ledgers, and managing payroll systems, including payroll tax obligations. The curriculum covers the preparation of adjusting entries for merchandise inventory, interest, and depreciation. Additionally, students will gain experience in crafting closing entries and preparing comprehensive financial statements along with post-closing trial balances.
This course is an excellent choice for those aspiring to careers in accounting, finance, business management, entrepreneurship, or for students planning to oversee or contribute to a family-run business.
Prerequisite: None
Grade: 9th - 12th
Length: Semester
Elective Class
Description: This course is designed to provide students with hands-on experience using essential Microsoft Office tools, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, preparing them for both academic and professional environments. Through Microsoft Word, students will learn to create and format documents, incorporating smart art graphics, lists, and tables and templates to produce polished, professional documents. In Microsoft PowerPoint, students will collaborate on presentations, refining their delivery skills and integrating hyperlinks, action buttons, and animations to craft engaging, interactive slideshows. The Excel portion of the course emphasizes applying financial functions, building data tables, and creating amortization schedules, as well as managing multiple worksheets and workbooks for comprehensive data analysis. By the end of the course, students will have developed practical skills in document creation, data analysis, and presentation design, setting a solid foundation for future studies or professional endeavors.
Prerequisite: Introduction to Business
Grade: 9th - 12th
Length: Semester
Elective Class
Description: This Entrepreneurship course is designed to guide students through the essential concepts and skills needed to understand and pursue entrepreneurial ventures. The course begins with helping students evaluate their potential as entrepreneurs, considering personal traits and the challenges of starting a business. It continues with an exploration of how entrepreneurs operate within a market economy, understanding supply, demand, and competition. Students will learn the importance of developing a comprehensive business plan, which includes identifying a market need and creating strategies to meet it. Marketing principles will be a focal point, teaching students how to promote their businesses effectively through distribution, promotion, and sales tactics. The course will also cover selecting the right type of business ownership, comparing options such as sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations. Additionally, students will gain insight into choosing an optimal business location and the steps involved in setting up a business operation. By the end of the course, students will have a solid foundation in entrepreneurial practices, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to develop and launch their own business ideas or contribute effectively to business management in any industry.
Prerequisite: None
Grade: 9th - 12th
Length: Semester
Elective Class
Description: This course provides an in-depth exploration of Adobe Photoshop, equipping students with essential skills to succeed in the field of graphic design. Students will develop proficiency in using basic and advanced Photoshop tools, learning how to work effectively with layers, selections, and masks. Key competencies include enhancing and retouching photos, mastering typography and text effects, and applying creative filters and effects. The curriculum covers color management essentials and photo compositing techniques for striking visual compositions. Additionally, students will gain expertise in preparing images optimized for both print and web use, ensuring their projects meet industry standards.
Upon completion, students will be prepared for further studies or careers in graphic design, photography, digital media, and related creative fields.
Prerequisite: None
Grade: 9th - 12th
Length: Semester
Elective Class
Description: Principles of Business provides a comprehensive introduction to the foundational concepts of business, equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in today's competitive environment. This course covers key areas including finance, marketing, operations, and management, offering students a broad understanding of how businesses operate. Through engaging content and real-world applications, students will explore economic systems, business organization, entrepreneurship, and the global marketplace. The curriculum also emphasizes the development of practical skills relevant to workplace readiness and participation in competitive events such as the DECA club.
Prerequisite: None
Grade: 9th - 12th
Length: Semester
Elective Class
Description: The course offers an engaging introduction to computer science. Through hands-on activities, students explore topics such as problem-solving, web development, interactive game creation, data analysis, and physical computing. The course emphasizes creativity, collaboration, and real-world applications, allowing students to design websites, program animations, and build hardware projects using tools like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Circuit Playgrounds. This class requires no prior coding experience and supports diverse learning styles through videos and interactive coding lessons. By fostering computational thinking and problem-solving skills, the Code.org curriculum helps students develop confidence and creativity making it an excellent foundation for further exploration in the field.
Prerequisite: Completion of Introduction to Business or Entrepreneurship is preferred. Alternatively, students may participate as a member of the DECA business club and present their business plan at the district competition.
Grade: 11th - 12th
Length: Semester
Elective Class
Description: This course offers students a deeper look into the business aspects of marketing, helping them build the skills needed to evaluate and design successful marketing strategies. Students will develop detailed marketing plans centered around the 4 Ps—product, price, place, and promotion. Through interactive, hands-on projects, students will apply key marketing concepts to real-world scenarios for practical experience.
Throughout the course, students will develop a 20-page business plan, which they will present to a judge at the DECA business competition in January. This dynamic and hands-on class equips students with the knowledge and experience needed to thrive in the fast-paced world of marketing.
Prerequisite: None
Grade: 12th
Length: Semester
Elective Class
Students are employed locally through a job or internship. Students must have a job secured by the second week of the semester to be in the class. Students must complete weekly journals during off-campus employment. Students must have a valid driver's license to leave for work. A classroom portion of the course is required for their work internship. Classroom units include safety, child labor laws, workplace expectations, applications, resumes, and interviews. Goals are set cooperatively by the student, teacher, and employer.