High School, Business

The objective of this course is to introduce students to the language of business--Accounting.  At the conclusion of the class, students should be able to perform basic accounting functions, understand the concepts of accounting, and be able to use accounting data to make sound business decisions.  Students will be able to use software to conduct accounting transactions, including QuickBooks and Excel. We will focus on real world applications of accounting principles.  Students can earn three college credits. Teacher recommendation and administrative approval are required for enrollment.

This is a two semester course.  In the first semester, which deals with investments, students learn the basic principles by which the modern corporation manages its assets, controls its liabilities and raises new capital. Topics covered include the valuation and rates of return on securities, financial statement analysis, forecasting, planning and budgeting, working capital management, introduction to capital budgeting techniques, and cost of capital considerations. There is also a focus on security markets and investment opportunities and real estate transactions. Students are exposed to the concepts of markets efficiency and risk and return. The objective is to provide a systematic method of analyzing investment portfolios. The second semester, Entrepreneurship, deals with marketing strategies and the application of required skills, resources, and techniques that transform an idea into a viable business. Entrepreneurial decision-making is stressed. Students may have the opportunity to engage in a specific entrepreneurial venture when they are given the opportunity to integrate entrepreneurship, marketing, and computer application skills in a simulation that provides students with an in-depth, real-world view of what it is like to run their own restaurant. Using Microsoft Office (or equivalent applications), they will assemble and create all of the documents that a “real” restaurant would need to open its doors. Guest speakers enliven both semesters, and both courses are available for college credit. Teacher recommendation and administrative approval are required for enrollment.

Virtual Enterprise is a live global business simulation in which students create and manage a virtual business. The program provides opportunities to develop valuable 21st-century skills in entrepreneurship, global business, problem solving, communication, personal finance and technology. VE replicates all the functions and demands of real businesses in both structure and practice. As “employees” of the virtual business, students experience the expectations of the workplace and are accountable for the firm’s performance. Students can earn three college credits. Teacher recommendation and administrative approval are required for enrollment.

This course provides a thorough and comprehensive look into Managerial Accounting. Students will explore business concepts and methods used to report managerial performance information to internal users and managers to assist in making sound business decisions in managing the firm.  Topics include product costing methodologies, cost behavior, operational and capital budgeting, and performance evaluation. Students can earn 3 college credits.

We cover Investing in semester one and real estate Investing in semester two. The investing course includes topics that every investor should know, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, options, hedge funds, private equity, commodities and more.  Current events will play an important role in class discussions.  Every student will participate in a simulated stock market game.  The real estate course covers topics such as researching and finding properties, building a portfolio, financial analysis, legal issues and more.  Students can earn three credits for each course, for a total of six credits. 

We cover Marketing in semester one and Entrepreneurship in semester two. The Marketing course focuses on the central role that marketing plays in the business process.  The key areas of study are the 4 P’s: product, price, promotion and place.  We have lots of group projects as well as individual and group presentations. The entrepreneurship course covers the fundamentals of starting a new business from idea generation to financing. Students will develop an idea for a new business product or service and write a comprehensive business plan.  Students can earn 3 credits for each course, for a total of six credits. This course will help students to become comfortable with technology tools necessary for success in the business world. As such, laptops are required for this class. Teacher recommendation and administrative approval are required for enrollment.