BUSINESS

Empowering students through practical skill-based learning while providing them the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge in a professional setting.

Principles of Business         

CPS        0.5 Credits           Grade 9-12

Ever wonder how a brand goes from a basement idea to a global powerhouse? This course is your backstage pass to the world of commerce. You’ll explore the DNA of successful companies, mastering the essentials of management, finance, marketing, and law. We move beyond the textbook to analyze real-world market trends and the economic shifts that shape our lives. For your final project, you will collaborate in a "Shark Tank" style simulation to pitch an original business concept to a panel of "investors." By the end, you’ll possess a CEO’s perspective, ready to navigate the fast-paced landscape of modern industry.

Music & Business                         

CPS        0.5 Credits           Grade 9-12

This course will provide an overview of the music industry and insights into a number of key areas of business related to music. Students will explore a diversity of music industry career paths in areas such as arts management, music products and merchandising, public relations, music production and recording, publishing online music distribution, and music therapy. This course is the equivalent to Intro to Business taught through the lens of the music industry. 

Personal Finance                        

CPS        0.5 Credits           Grade 9-12

Stop guessing and start growing your wealth. This course equips you with the "adulting" skills needed for total financial independence. We dive deep into the mechanics of credit, the psychology of spending, and the power of compound interest. You’ll learn to decode paystubs, evaluate investment opportunities, and plan for major life milestones like buying a car or funding college. Using a real-time stock market simulator, you will manage a virtual $100,000 portfolio, researching and trading stocks to see how global events impact your financial health. By the time you finish, you won’t just be a consumer, you’ll be a savvy strategist of your own future.

Accounting                

CPS/Honors        0.5 Credits           Grade 10-12

Accounting is the language of business—if you can’t speak it, you can’t lead it. This course peels back the curtain on how successful companies track their money and make strategic decisions. You’ll master the essentials of double-entry bookkeeping, financial recordkeeping, and business transactions. This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about understanding the financial health of any organization. You will get hands-on experience by completing a comprehensive business simulation, mimicking the workflow of a real-world corporate finance department. Whether you're a future CPA or an aspiring entrepreneur, this course provides the rock-solid foundation needed to manage any venture's bottom line.

Microsoft Office                

CPS        0.5 Credits           Grade 9-12

In the professional world, being "good with computers" isn’t enough; you need proof. This course transforms you from a casual user into a Microsoft Office Specialist. You’ll master  Word, PowerPoint, and Excel at a professional level, providing you with the necessary skills that are the backbone of any business career and will make your college assignments a breeze. The course culminates in the opportunity to take the official Microsoft Office Specialist certification exams, earning you an industry-recognized credential that you will include on your resume. Differentiate yourself from the competition and prove to colleges and employers that you have the technical expertise to hit the ground running.

Principles of Marketing                            

CPS        1 Credit           Grade 10-12

Discover the science of persuasion and the art of the sale. In this course, you’ll dive into the high-energy world of marketing, exploring how the "Four Ps"—Product, Price, Place, and Promotion—impact every choice you make. We’ll analyze current trends, global markets, and the power of brand loyalty while building the skills needed for the world of marketing and DECA. To bring these concepts to life, you’ll participate in DECA-style role-play simulations where you must solve a real-world business crisis on the fly and present your solution to a judge. This is your first step toward becoming a marketing pro, giving you a creative edge in any career path.

Marketing Research and Applications        

Honors        0.5 Credits          Grade 11-12

Take your marketing expertise to the professional level. This project-based honors course is designed for leaders ready to execute high-impact strategies. You will refine your creative voice while mastering the importance of marketing in a global economy and competing in the Nipmuc DECA chapter. Your final project will be a comprehensive business proposal focused on business operations, project management, entrepreneurship, or integrated marketing campaigns, using guidelines from DECA’s Competitive Events Program. You will develop this business proposal throughout the semester, pitch your ideas to local business professionals, and compete in DECA’s district competition, with the opportunity to advance to both the State (SCDC) and International (ICDC) Career Development Conferences.

Digital Marketing - H               

Honors        0.5 Credits           Grade 10-12

Master the art of reaching customers where they live: online. This course explores the dynamic landscape where brand strategy meets digital technology. You’ll cover the core essentials of Social Media Marketing to build community, Search Engine Optimization to win the search bar, and Content Strategy to tell compelling stories. Beyond the creative, you’ll dive into the data, using Web Analytics to measure ROI. You will put your skills to the test by designing and creating a professional pitch deck to market a licensed direct-to-consumer (D2C) product for a fandom of your choosing. Show off your creativity by promoting a Stranger Things action figure, Star Wars poster, or any other product of your choice, and present your pitch to real-life social media managers. Additionally, you will earn an industry-recognized credential through Google’s Fundamentals of Digital Marketing online course. You will leave this course with a comprehensive toolkit to build, execute, and scale high-impact digital marketing campaigns.

Sports Marketing - H             

Honors    0.5 Credits           Grade 10-12

Step into the high-stakes arena where passion meets profit. This course explores the unique strategies used to market sports products and the power of marketing through sports via corporate sponsorships. You’ll dive into fan psychology, brand building, and the digital transformation of the spectator experience. From grassroots community engagement to multi-billion-dollar broadcast deals, you will master the strategies behind the scoreboard. For your final project, you will develop a comprehensive marketing plan that includes strategies to generate fan engagement, boost community involvement, and drive revenue through corporate sponsorships. Get ready to turn brand loyalty into a home run by blending data-driven insights with integrated marketing strategies.

Advanced Placement Business with Personal Finance                    

AP 1 Credit Grade 10-12

Ready to take control of your future and become the CEO of your own life? Welcome to AP Business with Personal Finance, the cutting-edge course designed to turn the classroom into a real-world boardroom. This isn’t just about textbooks; it’s a high-energy, hands-on journey into the heart of entrepreneurship, marketing, and wealth-building.

The highlight of this course is the Business Canvas Project, an authentic experience where you won't just study business—you’ll build one. Using the same tools as modern tech founders, you will develop an original product idea, conduct customer research, and pitch your vision. Then, you’ll flip the script and become a professional consultant in our Financial Advisor Project, where you’ll manage the finances of a fictional family to help them navigate home-buying, college debt, and retirement.

Endorsed by industry leaders and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, this course gives you the "AP Career Kickstart" edge, offering an employer-recognized credential that looks incredible on resumes. Whether you want to launch a startup or just master your own bank account, AP Business with Personal Finance is your ticket to making smart moves and big impacts. Join us and start building your empire today!

Advanced Placement Economics                    

AP 1 Credit Grade 10-12

​Are you ready to unlock the secrets of the United States economy and understand how it shapes our world? In this dynamic course, you’ll explore both AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics, gaining the tools to analyze and debate key features of the American and global economies. Dive into topics like gross domestic product, the business cycle, international trade, and the impact of taxes and subsidies. Learn how monetary and fiscal policies influence the economy and discover how the banking system keeps everything running. On a personal level, uncover the principles of decision-making for households and businesses, explore market structures, and understand what drives consumer behavior. You’ll also evaluate markets through price, output, and surpluses while investigating how income is distributed and what happens when markets fail. Through engaging debates, case studies, and real-world examples, you'll tackle public policy solutions that could make economies more efficient. With a rigorous curriculum designed by the College Board, this course will challenge and prepare you for the AP Macroeconomics and Microeconomics exams in May. Students are expected to complete both Microeconomics and Macroeconomics and take both exams in May.  If you've completed Algebra 2 and want to gain insight into how the world works, this is your opportunity to master the markets.

Work Study/Internship                 

CPS                 Grade 11-12

The Work Study Program provides an opportunity for students to continue their academic program and school associations and also participate in supervised work experience for graduation credit.  Participating students will attend school for an academic program consisting of graduation requisites plus electives.

The placement will be considered an extension of the school day and one providing an opportunity for application of learning experience encountered in the formal classroom setting.  It also provides an opportunity for career choices through exploration. As an extension of the school day, the students must be willing to accept definite responsibilities and abide by the rules governing this program in order to remain in the program.

Economics Independent Study                                          

Honors 1 Credit Grade 12

Students who have successfully completed AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics have the following options for an economics independent study.  Students interested in this option should see Mr. Borja to discuss the following options:

 Students may tailor their independent study three ways:

Online economics course through the St. Louis Federal Reserve: Students will be enrolled in the St. Louis Federal Reserve Online Economics Course Program and take up to 22 economics modules online.  Students are enrolled for each module through the teacher’s online management tool. Students are monitored for progress, given feedback, and will complete module assessments.  Each student is monitored electronically through the program by the teacher and will receive a final module assessment grade upon completion. Each module is linked to the national education standards for economics, national education standards for finance, and common core history/social studies and technical subjects.

Elect to take AP Micro/AP Macro independent study: Students must have successfully completed either AP Micro or AP Macro with a grade of 85% or better and have demonstrated a strong subject interest, the ability to work independently with excellent time management and organizations skills.  A score of 4 or 5 is required on a previous AP Economics exam. Students are required to take the AP examination in May.

Student designed topic of interest in economics: Please consult teacher to design a specific program.