Accounting
Grades 10-12
Semester 1 or 2, One credit
Accounting is the language of business. Knowledge of accounting enhances career opportunities regardless of the individual's chosen field. This class provides an excellent foundation for college level courses involving any aspect of business. Students gain the ability to conduct simple analyses and interpret financial statements. Accounting also helps each student identify important business questions and derive corresponding financial, accounting and/or ethical answers. Students use an automated accounting program to experience how accounting is done in the business world. Outside speakers from colleges and local businesses visit the class to share their experiences and address student questions. A field trip to an accounting related business is included in the curriculum. Students are required to purchase a workbook costing approximately $17.00.
Business Law
Grades 10-12
Semester 1 or 2, One credit
Knowledge of business law is crucial to long-term success in many professional fields. Legal principles impact product design, contract form and content, hiring and firing practices, and daily business operations. Students will refine their research, study and communication skills for college as they explore fundamental concepts of business law. This class requires students to use computers for research and then communicate their findings and conclusions to the class. Business Law uses mock trial performances to allow each student to apply their legal content knowledge while refining their verbal communication skills. This class also benefits from presentations made by attorneys in practice who share their legal expertise and career experiences.
Global Entrepreneurship
Grades 11-12
Semester 1 or 2, One Credit
Businesses increasingly sell and operate globally. Future entrepreneurs and business leaders need to know how to effectively operate in this new global environment. This class explores how entrepreneurs identify and evaluate ideas possessing the potential for success and then create a business plan to fully develop their business model. Students develop a functional business plan as they increase and apply their understanding of the marketplace, ethics, finance, law and the fundamentals of leadership. The class uses outside speakers and projects to bring the world of the entrepreneur to the classroom. Global Entrepreneurship is an excellent course for the student planning on pursuing a business or engineering degree.
Keyboarding
Grades 9-12
Semester 1 or 2, One credit
Keyboarding is an essential skill for effective use of a computer. If the student cannot type at least 40 words per minute with very few errors, he or she should consider this one semester course. Students are encouraged to take Keyboarding as early in high school as possible so that they can apply their skills in other courses. Keyboarding improves both the speed and accuracy of keyboard input. The class also reviews processes to detect and correct spelling errors and inappropriate grammar while teaching students about standard formats for electronic mail, letters, memos and school reports. Students may purchase an optional headset for $4 to listen to the audio track of the class software program. This audio track will provide immediate and encouraging feedback to the student.
Marketing
Grades 10-12
Semester 1 or 2, One credit
One third of all American jobs involve some aspect of marketing. Marketing helps students understand the depth and breadth of marketing. Marketing focuses on the seven marketing functions framed within the U.S. economic system. Students also explore the necessary steps leading to a successful personal or business-to-business sale. The class includes several hands-on projects where the student applies new concepts and skills related to advertising, product design, labeling and personal selling. This class helps students recognize the marketing influence on themselves as consumers and uses guest speakers with marketing expertise to tie class content to today’s business world.
Personal Finance
Grades 11-12
Semester 1 or 2, One credit
Personal Finance helps build the student’s financial literacy for lifetime decision-making. All students benefit from basic training in personal finance prior to entry into college or the workforce. Too many students now leave college with substantial credit card debt and lack basic knowledge about leases, insurance and investments. Upon class completion, students will understand the benefits of having a career plan, saving, proper use of credit, long-term investing, income taxes, insurance and retirement planning. Students will use the computer lab to apply personal finance concepts to the real world through specially designed activities. Outside speakers on banking, credit, home financing, investing, taxes and insurance supplement class content with invaluable expertise and practical experience.