Business

This course is the study of the financial world and how to become rational, competent decision makers; informed, effective consumers; wise savers and investors; and responsible citizens.  Primary units of study include creation and implementation, budget development and usage, comparison shopping for a major purchase, credit advantages and disadvantages, tax returns, loan and mortgage applications and retirement investing.

Save money…plan for retirement…study investment options…but you’re only in high school!  Experts agree that the time to learn about financial literacy is at this stage!  This course studies the concepts and evidence relevant to the management of investment portfolios. Topics include diversification, asset allocation, portfolio optimization, the relation between risk and return, trading, mutual funds, and simulation.

How does a local auto parts store decide to move from an old mall to a new, modern facility?  How does a bakery decide to add more employees and expand the products it makes?  These decisions are made as managers, bankers, and business owners look at their Accounting—financial—information.   Accounting is the language of every business.  Fundamental accounting concepts will be introduced as students work with service businesses owned by one person. 

This course is suggested for those who are interested in being a part of the business world in any capacity -- sales and marketing, administrative support management, business owner, accountant or computer programmer.   Students planning to major in some type of business at a post-secondary school or college will be required to take several accounting classes.  A minimum of one year of high school accounting gives the students an introduction to the subject and provides a foundation for further study.  Microsoft Excel and accounting software will be utilized in working with computerized accounting applications.

Accountants—Wanted!  Statistics show that 11% more accountants will be needed each year; gain more accounting knowledge in high school!  This course focuses on using accounting concepts for merchandising businesses organized as corporations.  Students will work with payroll and inventory.  Microsoft Excel and accounting software will be utilized in working with computerized accounting applications.  A computerized business simulation is used to provide practical experience in handling retail business accounting.

Why are business and economics always in the news?  Business and economics play an important part in everyday life.  In fact, Business is one of the most popular college majors!  This class is designed to acquaint students with a variety of business activities—economics, budgeting, business ethics and social responsibility, business leadership, the global marketplace, hiring and training employees, applying for a job, leadership and management, culture and diversity, and marketing. Career opportunities in business will also be explored.

What do you need to know before you sign a contract for a cell phone?  How can you protect yourself as a consumer?  What is civil law?  What does John Grisham’s book, The Rainmaker, have to do with this course?  Business Law is designed for the students interested in business and for those who want to know about the law as it relates to the consumer.  Topics studied include the nature and kinds of law, legal rights and duties, ethics and the law, torts, civil court procedures, the nature of contracts, leases and tenant rights, and a mock trial.  A variety of materials are used to connect classroom learning with current practices and topics. 

Did you know that the first Internet browser and Facebook were started by college-age guys?  Would you like to run your own business?  Do you want to be your own boss?  Do you have great ideas?  This course provides an overview of a variety of topics related to business ownership and entrepreneurship--characteristics of an entrepreneur, steps involved in owning your own business, marketing and management strategies, legal rights and responsibilities, marketing, finance, and formation of a business plan.  Guest speakers will help connect classroom learning with current practices and topics.  

As most marketing aims to capture your generation, this course helps students understand marketing—the process through which organizations analyze, plan, implement, and control programs to develop and maintain beneficial exchanges with target buyers. Effective marketing is critical for the long-term success of any business organization because this function ensures that the firm attracts, retains, and grows customers by creating, delivering, and communicating superior customer value.  Within this course students will be designing a display case, creating a package for a product, and producing their own infomercial.  

The sports and entertainment industry is one of the most exciting and fastest growing industries in the United States.  Students explore the connection between marketing and the sports and entertainment industry.  Students will have the opportunity to develop and design their own sports or entertainment franchise while developing a knowledge of how to market college, amateur, and professional sports, by using endorsements and being aware of the legal issues that come along with marketing sports and entertainment.  Students will also be involved with running a Twitter account for PLHS activities.

Do you want to become a more efficient user of the keyboard?  Would you like to cut down the time it takes you to type a paper?  Would you like to learn how to really use Microsoft Word 2013 and many of its features?  This course is designed for both the beginning keyboarder and the student who is comfortable with the keyboard.  Development of proper keyboarding and word processing techniques will be emphasized as well as speed building and accuracy.  Students will work with formatting personal and business letters, email, MLA style reports, memos and tables.  A simulation will be included at the end of the quarter.  MicroType Media by South-Western Publishing is used during the first few weeks to take students from their present level to an improved skill.  This class will help students achieve success with many technology and computer applications throughout high school and college.

Create your own invitations, posters, magazine covers!  Students will learn design principles and elements as they combine text and graphics to create professional printed publications.  Students will use Adobe Illustrator CS6, Microsoft Publisher, and Adobe InDesign CS6 software to prepare a variety of materials —for example: posters, logos, packaging, signs, infographics, books, flyers, newsletters, and advertisements. In addition, students will learn terminology and apply layout concepts, color and type characteristics, graphics development, and text manipulation and creation.  

Uniquely designed for students preparing for success in high school, college, and beyond through efficient and proficient use of computer software. In this class, you will learn how to use Microsoft Office products-Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Access. You will create interesting, eye-catching Word documents, animated PowerPoint presentations, complicated Excel formulas, and basic Access database searches. These are skills that are important now and in your future.  By the end of this course, you will be a Microsoft Master! 

In today's world, web pages are the most common medium for sharing ideas and information. Learning to design websites is an incredibly useful skill for any career path. The CodeHS Web Design course is a project-based course that teaches students how to build their own web pages. Students will learn the languages HTML and CSS, and will create their own live homepages to serve as portfolios of their creations. By the end of this course, students will be able to explain how web pages are developed and viewed on the Internet, analyze and fix errors in existing websites, and create their very own multi page websites. Students will learn the foundations of user interface design, rapid prototyping and user testing, and will work together to create professional, mobile responsive websites.

Students can take the class up to three times for three separate quarter credits but also have the opportunity to earn multiple quarter credits if they meet the 2-3 quarter requirement within one given quarter.

Students must apply and interview for program entry. Applications are available in the Counseling Office.

Diversified Occupations: Business Class

Business Class is required for seniors who have been selected to the Diversified Occupations Program:  Business Experience. Student participants in this class are also enrolled in Diversified Occupations Program:  Business Experience.   Work program is designed to help students develop skills, attitudes and knowledge necessary for success in the world of business.  Classroom work reinforces the students’ learning in their internship experiences.  Topics include: employer expectations, workplace communication, teamwork, business computing, career research, job search skills, leadership development, workplace coping skills, business ethics, and computer applications.  Students must maintain passing grades to remain in the program.  

Diversified Occupations: Business Experience

Students gain workplace experience in a variety of business internship positions that help them prepare for future careers in management, retail, marketing and sales, accounting, banking, business ownership and computer applications.  Students are required to work between 15 and 30 hours per week at the school-approved internship site for the 2-hour option.  Half as many hours will be required for the 1-hour option.  Internship experiences are planned each quarter by the employer, the student and the instructor as learning goals are established.  Employers are involved in evaluating students’ work performance. Students must maintain passing grades to remain in the program. 

Laker Corner Managers

Laker Corner Manager Internship experiences are available for four managers to oversee and operate Laker Corner.  Students will be employed on a daily basis from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Occasionally, other hours may be required for parent-teacher conferences or special events.  Although this is not a paid position, students receive a scholarship stipend to the college they will attend.