Business Electives

ACCOUNTING I

Grade: 9-12

Credits: 5

Prerequisite: None

Accounting is a discipline of theories, principles, and standards that promote fair and equitable reporting regardless of the chosen business or industry.  In this full-year course, students will not only be introduced to the various facets of generally accepted accounting practices, they will be asked to be able to implement them through a variety of hands-on, real world based exercises that will assess their grasp on the subject.  The course serves as a primer, a foundation builder, for Accounting II and Accounting III.  In order to grasp the advanced concepts in the course, Accounting I serves as an arena to become acquainted with the accounting cycle and to be able to complete the most fundamental tasks as part of an organization’s accounting function.  The knowledge in this course will directly serve any students who plan on continuing their business and/or accounting education at the post-secondary level. 

ACCOUNTING II

Grade: 10-12

Credits: 5

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Accounting I with a Grade of 80 or higher

Accounting II will serve as a continuation of Accounting I, building on the theoretical concepts of accounting and the ability to apply them in real-world situations. Accounting I focuses on learning the accounting cycle applied to a service business legally set up as a sole proprietorship. Accounting II will move beyond that, expanding into the accounting cycle for merchandising businesses and dealing with issues involving other forms of business organization such as corporations. In addition to exploring sales, purchases, accounts receivable, and accounts payable in merchandising businesses, the course will delve into preparing and processing payroll, dealing with employee payroll taxes, accounting for capital from investors (i.e. stock), depreciation and amortization of assets, inventory valuation, and horizontal/vertical analysis of financial statements. Accounting II is an excellent choice for any student who will be majoring in any business discipline in college, as it will serve as an excellent foundation for the multiple accounting courses that will be required.  

ADVANCED PLACEMENT MACROECONOMICS and ADVANCED PLACEMENT MICROECONOMICS 

Grade: 11-12

Credits: 5 (2.5 credits each)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra II with a Grade of 80 or higher

The overarching goal of an AP Economics course is to provide students with the principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the economizing problem, specific economic issues, evaluation of microeconomic and macroeconomic policy, and analyze economic data to formulate solutions for economic problems within a society.  In the study of Microeconomics, students will be able to apply rational thinking to the smaller pieces of the economy, analyze the effects of the interactions between producers and consumers, identify the principles of supply and demand, evaluate the various market structures, and analyze the economic profit of individual firms. In the study of Macroeconomics, students will extend their microeconomic knowledge to apply rationale thinking to the larger pieces of an economy. Students will be able to analyze economics in the aggregate, evaluate monetary policy and approach such policy from the perspective of the Federal Reserve System. Additionally, students will be able to study macroeconomics from an international perspective. They will use comparative advantage to determine the benefits of trade and explore the economic affects of fluctuating currencies. 

As a result of their study in AP Economics, students will be prepared to take both the Microeconomics AP Exam and the Macroeconomics AP Exam.

BUSINESS APPLICATIONS AND AI LITERACY

Grade: 9-12

Credits: 5

Prerequisite: None

Business Applications is a hands-on course that builds digital literacy and professional skills using both Microsoft Office and Google Workspace tools, with a strong focus on spreadsheets for data analysis and visualization. Students learn to organize, analyze, and communicate information through projects that simulate real business tasks and decision-making. Throughout the course, students develop proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets, as well as Word, Docs, PowerPoint, and Slides. They create spreadsheets, apply formulas, manage data sets, and use advanced features such as charts, pivot tables, and conditional formatting. Students explore a variety of data visualization techniques, including dashboards, graphs, charts, infographics, and other visual tools that make complex data easy to understand and interpret.  By the end of the course, students will be able to use Microsoft Office and Google Workspace applications confidently to produce professional documents, analyze business data, and create engaging visual presentations that demonstrate both technical skill and business insight.  Students will also exposed to CompTIA and basics of Artificial Intelligence Literacy. 

COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS

Grade: 9

Credits: 2.5

Prerequisite: None

This semester course focuses on developing 21st century, college and career readiness skills. Throughout the course, students will explore career pathways and workplace expectations, develop professional communication, collaboration, and presentation skills.  Students will apply technology and information literacy in real-world contexts, practice responsible digital citizenship and understand the ethical, legal, and social implications of information use.  This course is paired with Financial Literacy. 

ENTREPRENEURSHIP & LEADERSHIP 

Grade: 9-12

Credits: 5

Prerequisite: None

This course will study starting and managing one’s own business.  Students will explore what skills are necessary for someone to become a successful business owner or operator.  Students will examine fiscal decisions that directly impact one’s financial health. Teaching students about financial planning, banking, investments, and business ownership will empower them to make good decisions and assume personal responsibility for their economic well-being.  Finally, students will explore leadership attributes required to be successful in life and business through numerous group activities, individual and group research, class discussion, and community service.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP HONORS 

Grade: 10-12

Credits: 5

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Entreprenuership and Leadership with a Grade of 80 or higher

This course, offered through the University of Delaware, provides an introduction to the EntreX Lab™ Program and establishes the foundation for an entrepreneurial classroom culture. Students explore the growing importance of entrepreneurship education and develop the entrepreneurial mindset while learning to think creatively, identify opportunities, and approach problems with curiosity and persistence.

The course introduces key concepts such as effectual thinking and design thinking and guides students through an evidence-based entrepreneurship process that helps reduce market risk and transform innovative ideas into viable business models. Students examine how entrepreneurs create value, gain support for new ideas, and adapt their strategies to fit different contexts including technology-based startups, social enterprises, and intrapreneurship within established organizations. By the end of the course, students will understand how entrepreneurial thinking and skills contribute to success in launching ventures, driving innovation, and achieving professional and personal goals.

FINANCIAL LITERACY

Grade: 9-12

Credits: 2.5

Prerequisite:  If taking in 9th grade, students must have completed Algebra I with an 80% or above or be enrolled in the Academies  

Financial Literacy is a semester course that meets the state-mandated graduation requirement for all students. This course is designed to develop a thorough understanding of the economy and the necessary skills to effectively manage personal finances. Activities, projects, and simulations will focus on the necessary elements of personal finance which include income and careers, money management, credit and debt management, planning, saving and investing, becoming a critical consumer, citizen financial responsibility, and risk management and insurance. Personal finance topics include budgets, savings, checking accounts, investments and credit, insurance, student loans and debt, and income tax returns.  This is a mandated requirement according to the NJ Department of Education. 

HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

Grade: 10-12

Credits: 5

Prerequisite: None

This course is designed to give students an overview of careers in the hospitality and tourism industry. Areas of study include but are not limited to food service, lodging, travel and tourism, recreation , amusements and attractions.,  This course provides a strong foundation for hospitality and tourism pathways.    Students learn knowledge and skills focusing on communication, time  management and customer service that meet industry standards.

MARKETING I 

Grade: 9-12

Credits: 5

Prerequisite: None

Marketing I is designed to expose students to the fundamentals of business from a marketing perspective.  The course starts with the foundation of economics and American business and progresses with marketing and advertising concepts.  Students will be utilizing computers and various types of software applications such as Glogster, PowerPoint, Publisher, Google Slides and Excel to prepare advertising and marketing projects and to analyze typical “business” problems.  The Internet will be utilized as an advertising medium.  In addition, current events and trends pertaining to business will be discussed.  The course provides a basic background in the field of marketing, as well as the knowledge and skills necessary for students furthering their education and/or obtaining employment in business. 

MARKETING II

Grade: 10-12

Credits: 5

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Marketing I with a grade of 80 or higher

The Marketing II course is designed to teach you how to integrate the marketing and management principles you have learned into real world practice. This introduces students to advanced marketing functions and their application and impact on business operations. Marketing II builds off of the principles and concepts taught in Marketing I. Students assume a managerial perspective in applying economic principles in marketing, analyzing operation’s needs, examining distribution and financial alternatives, managing marketing information, pricing products and services, developing product/service planning strategies, promoting products and services, purchasing, and professional sales. Computer projects, presentations, and simulations will be an important part of this class.  

MARKETING CAPSTONE

Grade: 11-12

Credits: 5

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Marketing II with a grade of 85 or higher

The Marketing Capstone course is an integration of all marketing elements in a strategic marketing framework. Using a "big picture" perspective, the student addresses strategy formulation and implementation in a business environment. The course will provide practical knowledge regarding marketing strategy from planning, formulating, and executing strategic marketing campaign. The topics covered in this course include strategic marketing planning, marketing ethics, marketing research, competitive advantage, segmentation, branding, positioning, marketing mix (4 Ps), marketing implementation, and customer loyalty. Students (in teams) are expected to make marketing decisions that will apply to real world scenarios. 

WALL STREET 

Grade: 9-12

Credits: 5

Prerequisite: None

The goal of the Wall Street course is to educate and extend student knowledge of personal financial responsibility and the practice of sound investing. The course focuses on advanced concepts of financial planning and money management, which are the principles of good economic health and decision making.  The course will require that students explore topics of financial planning, banking, investments, and business ownership will empower them to make good decisions and assume personal responsibility for their economic well-being. Personal financial planning and money management are important components.  Through a comprehensive exploration of banking, investments, and personal finance, students will understand how to solve financial problems and to maintain financial stability. 

VISUAL AND FASHION MERCHANDISING

Grade: 10 -12

Credits: 5

Prerequisite: None

This course helps students develop the skills necessary to create retail store window and interior displays. This course will also introduce students to the displaying of clothing lines. The course will cover the fundamental principles of visual merchandising, including store planning, display conceptualization and implementation, company branding, and customer communication. Students will be introduced to store design and space planning to maximize sales in a retailing environment. The purpose of the course is for the student to examine ways that retail businesses support brand image and promote sales through visual techniques. Concepts include the psychology of store layout, current methods of visual merchandising, and use of mannequins. Visual merchandising is a visually and aesthetically oriented field that emphasizes display design, display and prop fabrication, and arrangement with the object of influencing sales.

YEARBOOK AND BUSINESS PUBLICATIONS 

Grade: 10 -12

Credits: 5

Prerequisite: None

The Business Publications/Yearbook Production course gives students marketable experience in print media publishing. It is run as a real business maintaining an account that must balance-out at the end of year. Students work on business operations, make announcements, maintain signs, conduct student polls, take photos, and write articles.   In class, students will compose, construct, and edit all elements of layout, graphics and digital photography. Students develop skills for life including collaboration within time and budget limitations, communication, teamwork, leadership, time management, problem-solving, critical thinking, decision-making, organization skills, adaptability, creativity, resourcefulness and persuasion.  Students will attend events and be part of the larger school community to shoot digital photos, design advertising, and work on sales & distribution. A special emphasis will be on developing hands-on skills including project management, social media management, critiquing, editing, interviewing techniques, evaluating work and meeting authentic deadlines in a real-life job setting with measurable outcomes.  Students have the opportunity to take a leadership role (editor or manager). Other methods of business publications will also be produced throughout the course including bulletins, booklets, flyers, leaflets, newsletters, reports, letters, notes, proposals, letters and magazines.  

YEARBOOK AND BUSINESS PUBLICATIONS II

Grade: 11 -12

Credits: 5

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Yearbook and Business Publications I with a grade of 85 or higher.

Yearbook and Business Publications II builds upon the foundational skills developed in the previous course, offering students an advanced, real-world experience in print and digital media production. Students take on leadership and editorial roles, managing the full publication cycle of the school yearbook as a professional business operation. This course emphasizes advanced design, writing, photography, marketing, and management skills while fostering creativity, accountability, and collaboration. Students are expected to demonstrate initiative, problem-solving, and leadership while working under authentic deadlines.