overview

Welcome to Northern’s Business Studies Department!

We aim to make academic learning fun and approachable for students of all learning backgrounds and levels. Our interactive classrooms are led by personable teachers who bring in real-world experience from the business industry.

We are proud of our diverse offering of courses—from marketing to finance—and also our various extracurricular clubs, many of which have been awarded at the provincial and national levels. At Northern Secondary School, every student belongs, and we’re sure you’ll find something you love, no matter your interests or prior experience.

course listings

Grade 9: 

Building the Entrepreneurial Mindset, Grade 9, Open (BEM1O)

• Students learn what makes an entrepreneur thrive and the skills required to succeed in today’s business environment.

• Students develop their own entrepreneurial mindset, and learn why it’s important to take initiative, adapt to change, find creative solutions, and understand the financial considerations of entrepreneurship.

• Hands-on course uses business software and applications to help students plan and develop entrepreneurial ideas and learn how to present them to a target audience.

• Students enhance communications skills, and develop and refine project management skills, including goal setting, time management, and networking.  

Grade 10: 

Launching and Leading a Business, Grade 10, Open (BEP2O)

• Students are introduced to the world of business and what is required to be successful, ethical, and responsible in today’s economy.

• Students develop knowledge and skills needed to be an entrepreneur and how to respond to local and global market opportunities.

• Students explore and understand the responsibility of managing different functions of a business (accounting, marketing, information and communication technology, financial management, human resources, and production).

Grade 11: 

Financial Accounting Fundamentals (BAF3M)

• An introduction to organizing, tracking, and reporting (also referred to as “bookkeeping”) the spending and earning of money in a business.

• Students learn how business owners and accountants track and manage the "money" side of businesses.

Introduction to Marketing (BMI3C)

• Students explore the strategies (e.g., advertising, social media, market research, and branding) used by businesses to promote products and services.

• Students work on both independent and group projects throughout the course. 

Grade 12:

Business Leadership (BOH4M)

• An exploration of the characteristics, skills and strategies used by leaders and managers when running successful businesses.

• Students reflect on their personal qualities in relation to business leaders.

Financial Securities (IDC4U - INTBUS)

• An interdisciplinary course where students obtain financial literacy skills on important topics including investments (i.e., stocks and bonds), mortgages, credit cards, RRSPs, RESPs, and insurance, including hands-on experience in a stock market competition.

International Business (BBB4M)

• An exploration of the strategies used to build successful businesses on a global scale, including knowledge of trade associations and globalization trends.

Sports & Entertainment Marketing (IDC4U - INTSEM)

• A presentation and project-based course that explores the strategies used by businesses when promoting sports, fashion, and entertainment (film, television, etc.) to customers.

Principles of Financial Accounting (BAT4M)

• Building on BAF3M, this course prepares students for post-secondary study in Accounting or Business, involving constructing and interpreting records of business finances to make effective business decisions.

co-curricular connections

Future Business Leaders (FBL): FBL Canada is the largest student business organization in Canada. Members are self-motivated, high-achieving leaders who network with like-minded peers, earn international recognition, attend exciting conferences, and learn how to excel in the business world. Our student-led team coordinates regular training and guidance in preparing students to deliver organized, thoughtful business presentations.

Junior Achievement (JA): JA develops financial and entrepreneurial skills through their Company Program, which provides mentors from the corporate world who guide students as they develop and run a real-life start-up company.

Business Speakers Club: Connects Northern students with professionals from various business fields through bi-weekly guest speaker sessions. Members gain insights into different career paths and the steps to get there. The club helps students explore opportunities in business and build real-world connections.

Investment Club: Students interested in the financial sector and equities markets meet regularly to discuss and learn about investments. Each year our Investment Club coordinates stock market competitions through virtual simulations, as well as participate in company research and analysis competitions.