Essex High School’s teachers understand the need to prepare students for college, career, and life. In our economically competitive world, students must be equipped with basic business concepts and employment skills. Business Education teachers work to maximize the potential for all students’ personal and professional growth.
Students have a variety of opportunities within the business course offerings and will find a course to fulfill their needs and interests.
ACCOUNTING I
Course Number: B301 1 Elective Credit Grades: 10-12
This course is designed to teach students the principles of analyzing and recording business transactions manually and using software that is commonly used by small businesses. Emphasis is placed on the role accounting plays in the interpretation of the financial condition of a business. This course is recommended for students who appreciate systematic, methodical work and those interested in solving puzzles. It is appropriate for the job-bound student and is strongly recommended for students who are interested in becoming entrepreneurs or those considering a degree in Business.
BUSINESS AND PERSONAL LAW
Course Number: B304 .5 Elective Credit Grades: 10-12
This course is designed for the student who wishes to have a grasp of everyday law and the implications it has on our daily lives with a focus on criminal and civil law and the legal system. A variety of topics to be explored include: Law Enforcement and the Court System, Civil & Criminal Offenses and their consequences, Contractual Law, Insurance Law and Consumer Law. Several guest speakers enrich the curriculum.
ECONOMICS
Course Number: B315 .5 Elective Credit Grades: 10-12
Today’s world demands an understanding of basic Economic principles and concepts. This course highlights both Macro & Micro Economic topics. Students will explore questions such as “How are scarce resources allocated?”, “How do incentives play a role in decision making?”, “What is the role of various institutions?”, and “Why does one economy thrive while another struggles to meet basic needs?”. Through action learning, role play, and case studies, students experience economic reasoning, and the power of supply and demand as well as efficiency and productivity. This course is recommended for students who strive to understand their role in the economy as well as those who aspire to roles in business, finance, global leadership, and more.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Course Number: B325 .5 Elective Credit Grades: 10-12
In this course students will explore, understand, and prepare to implement skills necessary to manage businesses in all aspects of product and service selection, production and personnel management, obtaining financing, creating a business plan, evaluating financial reports, and marketing of products and services.
This course includes operational strategies in starting a business and franchising. Students will explore current best practices for job interviews and hiring. This course is recommended for students who are interested in management positions and those planning to participate in EHS DECA (ewsd.org/EHS, choose Activities, Clubs).
Students can take this course to fulfill a GLP endorsement requirement.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
Course B343 .5 Elective credit Grades 10-12
This course explores the economic, political, cultural, and legal factors that influence our global markets. Through real world projects and case studies students will investigate how these factors influence business management, leadership, and marketing strategies. An international travel experience may be part of this course (optional).
INTERNSHIP
Course Number: B340 .5 Elective Credit Grades: 11-12
This amazing opportunity offers students the chance to engage in real-life practical work experiences to explore career choices and meet future goals. Students will participate in class instructional sessions and coursework, then complete a 40-hour unpaid community internship experience at a local organization or business in the student’s career field interest. This is a wonderful opportunity for the student who has demonstrated a strong interest and motivation to gain valuable work experience in a community setting.
PERSONAL FINANCE
Course Number B330 .5 Elective credit Grades 11-12
This course is designed to educate students who are interested in the financial realities of the adult world. Essential to becoming a savvy consumer, the following topics are addressed: budgeting, financial goal setting and financial planning, banking and credit, paying for college, career choice and its impact on the paycheck, personal insurance policies, and investing. Those who would like to learn how to be financially independent should enroll in this course.
Students who choose to use a dual enrollment voucher or pay 50% tuition for college credit will earn 3 credits through Community College of Vermont in addition to .5 EHS credit for this course.
EXPLORING COMPUTERS AND CAREERS
Course Number: B344 .5 Technology Credit Grades: 9-12
This course is designed for new computer users and students embarking on the academic process of career exploration for the first time. It will prepare students for success in the Computers and Careers course by providing the opportunity to explore computer applications, practice basic computer skills, and gain awareness of a variety of careers. The student will acquire skills and knowledge in the following areas:
Touch typing
File management and organization
Word processing and spreadsheet applications (purpose and comparison)
Email correspondence
Awareness of career opportunities and resources
This course may not fulfill the minimum technology skills required for graduation.
COMPUTERS AND CAREERS
This course is designed to provide students the opportunity to explore a variety of tools by practicing perseverance and flexibility to complete tasks with computer applications.
The student will acquire advanced skills and knowledge in the following areas:
Touch typing, formatting business letters, reports, spreadsheets and tables
Professional skills in document formatting, email correspondence, and presentations
Learning proper research skills using our library’s resources and Internet sources
Exploring career opportunities and the process of making career decisions
This course provides the student with the minimum technology skills required for graduation.