Keyboarding
Grades 9-12
Semester 1 or 2, One credit
Keyboarding is an essential skill, especially in the 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 who have not mastered the keyboarding technique are encouraged to take the class as early in high school as possible. Keyboarding will improve both the speed and accuracy of keyboard input. The class will also review spelling, proper grammar and use of standard formats for electronic mail, letters, memos and school reports. Students may purchase a headset for a $4 fee to listen to the audio track of the class software program.
Accounting 1
Grades 10-12
Semester 1 or 2, One credit
Accounting is the language of business, and accounting knowledge enhances career opportunities regardless of one's chosen field. Accounting 1 helps students identify important questions and derive corresponding financial, accounting and/or ethical answers. Students are exposed to important issues facing public and private accounting, and use an automated accounting program to complete some of their work and gain familiarity with how accounting is done today using computers. Outside speakers from college programs and local businesses visit the class to address student questions and interests. A field trip to a public accounting firm is also included in the curriculum. Accounting 1 students will gain the ability to conduct simple analyses and interpret financial statements, and an excellent foundation for college level courses involving any aspect of business. Students are required to purchase a workbook for this course at a cost of approximately $17.
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 uses a case-study approach where students make use of computers for research and then summarize case problems for the class. The student and his/her legal team will need to offer solutions to legal challenges facing businesses based on real legal cases. This class will use local attorneys to expose students to professionals who practice in various legal specialties.
Marketing 1
Grades 10-12
Semester 1 or 2, One credit
One third of all American jobs involve some aspect of marketing. A student should complete their high school education with at least one marketing course. Marketing 1 focuses on seven marketing functions framed within the U.S. economic system. Marketing 1 students also explore the steps leading to a personal or business-to-business sale. The class includes several projects where the student applies new concepts and skills to various projects related to advertising, product design, labeling, etc. This class helps students recognize the marketing influence on themselves as consumers and uses several guest speakers to tie class content to today’s business world. Marketing 1 helps students understand the depth and breadth of marketing.
Personal Finance
Grades 11-12
Semester 1 or 2, One credit
Individuals grapple with major financial challenges during their lifetime such as financing a home, properly using credit and investing wisely. All students, regardless of background, need basic training in personal finance. Too many students now leave college with substantial credit card debt and lack basic knowledge about leases, insurance and investments. Students will leave Personal Finance understanding the benefits of having a career plan, saving, the proper use of credit, long-term investing, income taxes, insurance and retirement planning. Weekly, students will use the computer lab to apply personal finance concepts to the real world through specially designed activities. Personal Finance will help build the student’s financial literacy for lifetime decision-making as the student prepares to enter college and/or the world of work.
Global Entrepreneurship
Grades 11-12
Prerequisites: Completion of Accounting, Business law, Marketing and or Personal Finance semester course
Semester 1 or 2, One Credit
Businesses sell and operate globally. Entrepreneurs identify and evaluate ideas possessing the potential for success and then create a business plan to fully develop the idea. While in class, students develop a functional business plan as they increase and apply their understanding of the marketplace, ethics, finance and the fundamentals of leadership. The class will use outside speakers and projects that involve real world challenges. Global Entrepreneurship is an excellent course for the student planning on pursuing a business or engineering degree at the college or university level.
