Compass

9992 - GRAPHIC COMMUNICATIONS: 2 Terms / 4 credits, Grades 11-12 [Work Based Learning Experiences Comparison]

Prerequisite recommended: Introduction to Marketing or Applied Graphics or Graphic Design 1

Students enrolled in Graphic Communications are eligible for three college credits through concurrent enrollment at North Hennepin Community College.

This course is scheduled for 2 blocks for each of the 2 terms (4 credits): 9992A: Composition for College and 9992B: Advanced Applied Graphics.

Graphic Communications is a co-taught, project-based learning course that combines Composition for College (English A) and Applied Graphics 2. This course is ideal for students interested in developing professional and technical skills required to advance their knowledge of graphic design and communication styles. Graphic Communications especially serves college writing and reading preparation with several informational and research-based projects where students have occasions to formally present and solicit feedback from instructors and community members. Students will collaborate often in small groups to generate ideas with depth and to organize those ideas in a clearly structured form. Additionally, students will develop their reading, writing and speaking skills through a study of how language is used including Standard American English and the influence of language on place for the Dakota and Anishinaabe people of Minnesota.

This course will educate students in design methods, theory, and creative problem solving utilized in the industry today. Students will learn how to create visual concepts and how those concepts communicate, are perceived, and are interpreted by an intended audience. Students will learn interactive, graphic, and product design skills and how to apply those skills in various career fields. Students will collaborate with local businesses to master the Adobe Creative Suite , write and speak for an authentic audience, and develop their personal brand.  Students within this course will work with clients to plan, design and implement concepts into production through projects authored and sponsored by course instructors and local businesses.

Student Testimonial:

• "Compass is an amazing course to take because it’s so personalized to you. You have the opportunity to create your own professional logo, illustrate/write a children’s story, and more!”

9991 - BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMICS: 2 Terms / 4 credits, Grade 12 [Watch Course Video] [Work Based Learning Experiences Comparison]

Prerequisites:  Introduction to Business or Introduction to Accounting

Students enrolled in Business Management & Economics are eligible for 3 college credits through concurrent enrollment from North Hennepin Community College which can be transferred to many colleges/universities around the country.

This course is scheduled for 2 blocks for 2 terms (4 credits): 9991A: Principles of Management and 9991B: Economics.

The study of business management and economics offers a perfect combination of theory and application. Business management is the study of how for-profit and non-profit organizations are structured and how they interact with each other, their customers, and the government. Economics is the study of how society allocates scarce resources. Global events have shown that organizational survival does not only depend on sound business management, but also on how well one can identify emerging trends, make sense of government policies, and adapt to changing external economic forces to optimize limited resources to create opportunities for future growth.

Throughout this class, students will partner with businesses, visit numerous business organizations, learn from mentors, and further develop problem solving and critical thinking skills as they complete hands-on learning projects for local businesses. In addition, students will conduct research on real-life problems/policy issues facing organizations in the 21st century, and work to develop timely and applicable solutions.  Students will develop their project management, leadership, teamwork, communication, collaboration skills in a fun and rewarding experience. 

If you are looking for an opportunity to exploring career options in the business world, outside of the classroom, learn from business professionals, and see first-hand how real businesses operate, this class is for you.

Student Testimonial:

• “My Business Management & Economics Compass class opened my eyes to the numerous opportunities the business world has to offer.  Not only did I learn valuable skills from my business mentor, but I had the opportunity to job shadow him at his company and network with many of his peers.  This experience along with the visiting local businesses will better prepare me for my college experience.” – 2024 Wayzata Graduate

Register using course code 9993C - Placement into your preferred course will take place at a later time.

9993A - CYBERSECURITY and 9993B - APPLIED MATHEMATICS: 2 Terms / 4 Credits, Grades 11-12

or

9993C - AP CYBERSECURITY (PILOT) and 9993B - APPLIED MATHEMATICS: 2 Terms / 4 Credits, Grades 11-12

This course is scheduled for 2 blocks for 2 terms (4 credits): 9993A or 9993C: Cybersecurity and 9993B: Applied Mathematics

Prerequisite:  A Computer course is recommended but not required

●        Meets Personal Finance Requirement

●        AP Credit, Concurrent Enrollment Credit

●        Grades 11-12 [Work Based Learning Experiences Comparison]

This course introduces foundational cybersecurity concepts and digital forensics, equivalent to a college-level Introduction to Cybersecurity course. Students will examine the modern cyber threat landscape, gaining insights into the types of adversaries organizations face and the methods they use to compromise systems and data. The course will also cover digital examinations including evidence collection and analysis.  The course emphasizes understanding how vulnerabilities create risks and how security controls are implemented to mitigate those risks.

Students will apply mathematics to real-world problems and explore its relevance across various careers. The curriculum encompasses a wide range of topics including vertex-edge graphs, game theory, encryption and cryptography, and math and political science. Additionally, students will develop essential personal finance skills, diving into financial psychology, income and earning, financial systems, credit and debt management, risk management, budgeting, and investing. This course emphasizes practical applications and critical thinking to prepare students for academic and professional success.

Team taught in collaboration with business professionals.

Learn through: hands-on learning with actual business projects, off-site experiences, guest speakers, mentors, interactive assignments/projects

Topics/Skills:  cybersecurity and computer forensics: theory, techniques, analysis, tools and procedures, email investigations, networking basics, encryption, computer security policies, professional opportunities; applied mathematics: graph theory, combinatorics, voting methods, game theory, financial systems, credit and debt management, budgeting, and investing.

Perfect for: students considering careers in technology, engineering, math, or law enforcement

AP Additional Information:

Students who earn 3+ on the May 2026 exam will earn FREE vouchers for online test prep and the exam for the aligned CompTIA industry-recognized credential (IRC) for certification (a $350 value).