business courses

Personal Finance - 0210 (.5 year)

Prerequisite:  None                  

Grade: 10-12

Required Credit:  0.50

Personal Finance is an innovative class for sophomores, juniors and seniors designed to teach the importance of making informed judgments and implementing effective decisions regarding the use and management of money.  This class will teach the value of being able to function successfully in today’s economic environment with respect to such matters as obtaining adequate income, managing money, saving copiously, investing soundly and    spending wisely.  The concept of learning how to manage credit prudently as it relates to creating sound financial management habits will also be a focus.  Personal Finance will also teach students skills to build their lives and achieve their goals and dreams.  Learning how to save toward college, generating savings accounts, understanding mortgages well enough to buy a home, and creating a budget, as well as making countless other similar decisions necessary to create productive lives will be clearly defined.  Personal Finance is a strong introduction for those students interested in finance, banking, financial planning, law and the brokerage fields. 


CCP - CSCC FMGT1101 Personal Finance – 0217 (.5 year) 

Prerequisite:  None

Grade:  10-12          

Elective Credit:  0.50 

This course is offered thru Columbus State Community College but taught at the DHS campus by Mr. Montenaro. Qualifying students can earn 3 college credits. Please refer to the Columbus State University CCP website at https://www.cscc.edu/academics/college-credit-plus/.

This semester course presents a lifetime program of money management for the individual. Topics such as budgets, savings, job search, buying a house, insurance, mutual funds, stock market, real estate investments, taxes, and estate planning are covered. Students will be able to write a basic personal financial plan.

This class is governed by the professor at Columbus State University with Mr. Montenaro serving as an adjunct professor.


Business & Personal Law - 0205 (.5 year)

Prerequisite:  None                  

Grade:  10-12

Elective Credit: 0.50

The Business and Personal Law class will enable students to better appreciate the law and the importance of it in our society.  Students will discuss various principles and foundations that make up business and personal laws and apply them to everyday life situations.  Students will be given specific vocabulary that will help in grounding their understanding in preparation to succeed in our society and/or business fields or careers.


Accounting – 0211 (year)

Prerequisite:  None                 

Grade:  9-12

Elective Credit:  1.00

Accounting is called the “language of business.”  Accurate financial information is vital to business decisions made by owners and managers.  Students will develop competence in completing the steps in the accounting cycle and will study the importance of accounting records to the overall business operation.  This course is very useful for students interested in a business major in college and will provide students with a solid foundation for understanding business operations.


Advanced Accounting - 0212 (1.00 year)

Prerequisite:  Minimum 80% in Accounting                          

Grade:  10-12 

Elective Credit:  1.00

Advanced Accounting continues to build on the competencies taught in first year Accounting.  This course will emphasize how financial information is used by management.  This course will focus on corporations and include topics such as cost control methods, uncollectible accounts, and depreciation of assets.  The use of computer accounting software will also be emphasized throughout this course.  Advanced accounting is very useful for those students who are seriously considering an Accounting or Business major in college or for any student who desires to learn more about business operations.


Marketing – 0235 (.5 year)

Prerequisite:  None             

Grade:  9-12    

Elective Credit:  0.50 

Marketing touches almost every aspect of our daily lives.  Marketing is the process of developing, promoting, and distributing products in order to satisfy customers’ wants and needs.  This course will give students a foundation in economics and business and explore the many facets of marketing, including Selling, Product Planning, Promotion, Financing, and Pricing.  Marketing skills are useful in any career because they involve understanding business, as well as effectively relating and communicating with others.


Advanced Marketing – 0236 (.5 year)

Prerequisite:  Minimum Grade of 80% in Marketing                 

Grade:  10-12

Elective Credit:  0.50

We will continue to cover the foundations of marketing.  Students will study the process of starting their own business and the process of writing a Business Plan for a new business.  There will be an emphasis on Management Principles and styles.  Students will become involved in developing and implementing a marketing plan for a school activity or group. The students will be involved in the marketing and operation of the Spirit Shop under the direction of the Instructor.


Entrepreneurship - 0237 (.5 year)

Prerequisite:  Completion of at least one semester of business curriculum excluding Personal Finance   

Grade:  11-12

Elective Credit:  0.50

In this hands-on, practical course, students will become proficient in running a business by planning, operating and executing the Saint Francis DeSales Spirit Shop. Entrepreneurship focuses on recognizing business opportunities, running a business, operating and maintaining a business; both as a business owner and in a corporate setting. Professional communication skills and practices, collaboration skills, problem-solving, ethical and legal issues, and the impact of effective presentation skills are enhanced in this course to prepare students to be college and career ready. Key Topics Include: Finance/Accounting (budget, expense management and analyze performance), Operations (Store/website operations and inventory management), Creative (product creation/visual/photography), Marketing (what does the customer want, promotion, social media), and Leadership. Skills Developed include: Financial Analytics, Operations management, Marketing and Creative Skills, Effective time management and organizational skills, Clear and professional communication, and Problem-solving.


Corporate Finance - 0240 (.5 year)

Prerequisite:  None   

Grade:  11-12

Elective Credit:  0.50

In this dynamic and engaging course, students will explore the key principles and practices of corporate finance, which is essential for understanding how businesses make financial decisions. Students will learn financial analytics (sales, margin, and amp; inventory), budgeting, capital budgeting, risk management, and corporate strategy. The course will emphasize real-world applications of financial concepts through case studies, group projects, and practical problem-solving exercises. Key Topics Include: Financial Analytics (sales, margin, inventory, pricing, product mix/assortment), Buying/Purchasing, Budgeting, Corporate strategy. Skills Developed include: Analytical thinking and problem-solving, Financial modeling and forecasting, Decision-making based on data and financial metrics, Teamwork and effective communication in business contexts.Corporate finance is fundamental to how businesses operate and grow. Whether you are interested in business, economics, or pursuing a career in finance, this course will give you the tools and knowledge to make informed financial decisions.


Microsoft Office - 0239 (.5 year)

Prerequisite:  None   

Grade:  10-12

Elective Credit:  0.50

In this hands-on, practical course, students will become proficient in the core applications of Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. This class will equip students with the essential skills needed for success in both academic and professional settings. Whether preparing reports, creating presentations, managing data, or organizing information, this course will teach you how to use these powerful tools effectively and efficiently. Key Topics Include: Microsoft Word: Document formatting, styles, templates, tables, mail merge, and collaboration tools; Microsoft Excel: Spreadsheet creation, formulas, functions, data analysis, charting, pivot tables, and financial modeling; Microsoft PowerPoint: Slide design, animations, transitions, multimedia integration, and creating impactful presentations. Skills Developed include: Advanced document, spreadsheet, and presentation design, Data analysis and visualization, Effective time management and organizational skills, Clear and professional communication and ; presentation skills through digital tools, Problem-solving using Microsoft Office applications.Mastering Microsoft Office is a valuable skill that is highly sought after by employers and colleges. By the end of this course, you will be able to confidently create documents, analyze data, deliver presentations, and manage projects using the industry-standard tools for office productivity. These skills are essential for college coursework, internships, and future careers in nearly any field.