Business and Technology Courses

Many courses are taken as electives to fulfill graduation requirements, with the exception of a one semester technology course which is required in ninth grade for graduation. Requirement: Ninth graders are required to take one semester of Computer Applications for graduation.  

Financial Management

Financial Management is an essential course which provides the student with lifelong learning skills. Students will learn to become financially independent by maximizing their earning potential and developing strategies for managing their resources. It is critical that young women become empowered to make sound decisions concerning budgeting, banking, spending, saving and investing. Decisions in setting financial goals and making investments are the basis for this course.

The final project is a comprehensive portfolio which includes the student’s career direction, financial health and security, aspects of managing credit and debt, managing resources and personal risks. Computers will be used for research and in the preparation of a comprehensive portfolio. (Grade 10, 11 or 12) (Course # 7721)

Principles of Business - I

This course covers business topics as preparatory learning for college-bound students. While it helps for other majors, it is recommended that students who are considering business as a college major enroll in this course. The goals of this course are: (1) To furnish the college-bound student with a background for future business courses and (2) To introduce basic business concepts that the college bound student may encounter in the future. The content of the course includes topics such as: Business and Its Environment; Forms of Business Ownership; Financial Records, Analysis and Services; Pricing and Promotion; Advertising; Marketing. Computers are an integral part of this class. Students will spend part of the semester managing a company using a web-based simulation. Students will also research prominent women in business today and will research the financial history of a business of their choosing. (Grade 11 or 12) (Course # 7731)

Principles of Business - II

This course will be a continuation and expansion of Principles of Business 1. Using a web based simulation, students will look in depth at the various aspects of a retail business, including pricing, inventory control and analyzing financial statements. We will be analyzing various corporations that have both succeeded and failed, and learning the causes and effects of the successes and failures. We will explore topics in business ethics and business law, and how they are being applied in today’s global environment. Throughout the class we will be developing a deeper understanding of how technology is used in business, expanding on our knowledge of excel for interpreting data and making business decisions. Using Microsoft Access we will learn how databases are used and students will create their own database and use it to solve for various business situations. This will be a project based course. Pre-requisites are Principles of Business I. (Grade 11 or 12) (Course #7511)

Principles of Accounting - Honors

This course provides an understanding of the basic principles of the accounting cycle. This course is recommended for all students planning a business major in college, as most college business programs require 2 semesters of accounting, regardless of the individual business discipline. The accounting cycle includes the analysis and the recording of transactions of a service business organized as a proprietorship and a merchandising business organized as a partnership; preparation and interpretation of the financial statements; processing and posting journal entries to subsidiary ledgers. In the second half of this course, students will explore recording specific accounting entries and understanding various components of company financial statements, including cash, inventory, accounts receivable, loans, and revenues and expenses. Both manual and automated accounting procedures will be emphasized. Computers will be used to generate reports using spreadsheet programs as well as textbook exercises, and several business simulations will allow the students to process the accounting cycle and analyze results. (Grade 12) (Course # 7402)

Computer Applications 

This course is a one-semester introduction to technology. Using the tablet for printing, saving and working effectively between home and school are taught. Proper keyboarding skills are enhanced through consistent practice using the keyboard. Using MS Office 2013, students are taught basic business-related skills such as letter and resume writing, report formatting, spreadsheets, desktop publishing, research skills and proper citation techniques, movie making, presentation creation, and techniques for making successful presentations. Students explore pertinent topics including internet safety and cyber bullying. Students begin to populate their electronic portfolio, which is a requirement for graduation. Using wireless technology, students learn safe and successful searching and evaluation techniques for using the World Wide Web as a research tool.  (Grade 9) (Course # 7111)

Digital Media

Learn how to create professional quality videos! This course takes you through the stages of creating videos for entertainment and educational purposes, from storyboarding, to lighting and camera techniques, to video and audio editing and post production. Every day digital media becomes more important as a means for receiving, producing, sharing, and broadcasting information. Knowledge of the rules and grammar of movie production, broadcasting, and media presentation is a powerful new literacy. The first semester focuses on learning the techniques of digital media creation, while the second semester is comprised of creating projects using the skills that have been acquired. Projects include a 30 second commercial, music video, documentary and fiction films, as well as a cross-curricular project. (Grade 11 or 12) (Course # 7501)

Digital Design

Make beautiful pictures with the click of your mouse! This course emphasizes the development of technical skills in Adobe Photoshop software through a variety of design, technology and art-related projects. Students gain mastery in a variety of Photoshop tools and applications, including tools and palettes for drawing, painting and making selections, manipulating layers, creating borders, masks, filters and the integration of text and graphics for print production. All projects incorporate creative problem-solving, personal expression, the exploration of art-related themes and written reflections. New digital techniques, including overprinting, scanning and photo-retouching will also be addressed. Students will have the opportunity to manipulate their own digital photographs in projects. All coursework will result in a final digital portfolio. 3-D Printing Technology will be practiced and analyzed in conjunction with original designs, such as jewelry and architecture, in Google SketchUp. Limited to 16 students per section. This course fulfills the graduation requirements for fine and performing arts. (Grade 10, 11, or 12) (Course #7801)

Introduction to Creative Coding

Creative Coding Through Games and Apps is an introductory computer programming course from Microsoft that lays the foundation for understanding the principles and practices of computer science. This class sets students on a journey to become well prepared for life and careers in the 21st century by developing problem-solving and computational-thinking skills in the context of learning fundamental computer science concepts. In Creative Coding through Games and Apps, students gain hands-on experience designing, programming, and publishing mobile apps and games that run on any platform. (Grade 9, 10, 11, 12) (Course # 3811)

Introduction to Computer Science

Introduction to Computer Science is a semester course which addresses fundamental ideas in Computer Science. Through lecture and projects, students will have hands on experience with computer programming and coding skills that will introduce them to the technology industry. Students will gain insight into the many career opportunities that study in Computer Science can make available. This course is open to all 10th, 11th and 12th graders who have completed Geometry. (Grade 10, 11 or 12) (Course # 3801)

Computer Science A - Advanced Placement

The AP Computer Science A course is equivalent to a first-semester, college-level course in computer science. The course continues to make students familiar with fundamental computer science topics such as: problem solving, design strategies, organization of data, approaches to processing data, analysis of potential solutions, data structures, abstraction and the ethical and social implications of computing. The course uses the programming language Java to emphasize object-oriented programming methodology with a focus on problem solving and algorithm development. (Grade 11 or 12) (Course # 3704)