Kenmore West High School

Accounting 1 (Full-year)#

Earn college credit!
Can be used as a third unit of Math!
Required for Virtual Enterprise and Finance Academy students. Of course, non-academy students are encouraged to take this course too!
Recommended for Grades 10 and up. Open to Grades 9-12.
40 weeks/5 meetings per week - 1 Unit
Exam: Local

Accounting is often said to be the “language of business.”  Students will learn the skills necessary to recognize and utilize accounting information and analyze financial data.  Demand for Accountants is extremely high in today’s job market!  This course is a must for students majoring in Accounting, Business Ownership, Finance, Management and/or Marketing.  Course is also said to be useful for those who want to study engineering.  Students will find themselves a semester ahead of other students who did not take this course in high school!

The General Journal, Special Journals, Service & Merchandising Businesses will be explored. Topics may also include:

• Checking Accounts & Bank Reconciliations
• Payroll Records, Payroll Taxes, Basic Tax Returns & Investments
• Accounting Careers , Accounting Ethics & Internal Auditing Procedures
• Computer Accounting Software & Spreadsheets 
• Fieldtrips & Guest Speakers

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Advanced Accounting (Full-year)#

Earn college credit!
Prerequisite: Accounting
Recommended for Grades 11 and up. Open to Grades 10-12.
40 weeks/5 meetings per week - 1 Unit
Exam: Local

Have a knack for numbers?  Did you do well in Accounting or want more preparation for your college business courses in Accounting?  Then consider Advanced Accounting!

This course is offered as an extension of the Accounting 1 course.  Projects/assignments involving more advanced accounting techniques and current events will be explored. 

Some of the main topics include:

• Review of the basic accounting cycle
• Payroll Records, Payroll Taxes, Basic Tax Returns & Investments
• Accounting for Partnerships & Corporations
• Depreciation & Inventory Methods
• Uncollectible Accounts & Business Discount Methods
• Accounting Careers, Internal Auditing Procedures, Ethics & Scandals 
• Automated Accounting Systems
• Fieldtrips & Guest Speakers

Information from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the NYS-Young CPA’s may also be utilized. 

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Business Law (Full Year)#

Can count as a fifth unit of Social Studies!
Required for Virtual Enterprise and Finance Academy students. Of course, non-academy students are encouraged to take this course too!
Recommended for Grades 10 and up. Open to Grades 10-12.
40 weeks/5 meetings per week - 1 Unit
Exam: Local

This course is designed to provide a thorough understanding of the basic principles of law that affect the consumer, worker and citizen.

• Rights of minors & Minor’s contracts
• Basic Legal Rights/criminal law
• Law suits/civil law
• Contracts in Business
• Legal Careers

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Business Math (Full-year)#

Can be used as a third unit of Math!
Recommended for Grades 11 and up. Open to Grades 9-12.
40 weeks/5 meetings per week - 1 Unit
Exam: Local

This course provides practical day-to-day applications involving mathematics. Some of the main topics include:

• Basic Math Skills Review  
• Paychecks & Taxes
• Checking & Saving Accounts
• Loans, Installment Buying and Credit Cards
• Investments and Insurance
• Purchases, Sales, Mark-ups & Discounts
• Car Loans, Apartment Renting and Mortgages
• Financial Statements, Ratios & Charts
• Management, Partnerships, Business Costs & Inventory
• Current Events, Spreadsheets & Computer Research

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Computers and the Internet (Full-year)#

Earn college credit!
Required for Virtual Enterprise and Finance Academy students. Of course, non-academy students are encouraged to take this course too!
Recommended for Grades 9 and up.
40 weeks/5 meetings per week - 1 Unit
Exam: Local

Expand your knowledge beyond Facebook and playing games on the Internet. Learn how to type faster so that you can type your papers and projects faster.

• Learn the new features of Microsoft Office 2010 and how they will benefit you both in high school, college, and the workplace
• Explore the every changing world of computer technology and various new technologies hitting the market
• Acquire the knowledge necessary to be able to write your papers quickly and in proper format.
• Create documents in Microsoft Word, produce spreadsheets with formulas and graphs using Microsoft Excel
• Develop databases using Microsoft Access and construct presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint

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Computer Fundamentals 1 (Full-year)#

Earn college credit!
Required for Virtual Enterprise and Finance Academy students. Of course, non-academy students are encouraged to take this course too!
Prerequisite: Computers and the Internet
Recommended for Grade 11. Open to Grades 10-12.
40 weeks/5 meetings per week - 1 Unit
Exam: Local

Gain a more comprehensive understanding of Microsoft Office and pursue Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification.

• Students will develop advanced computer skills by creating documents using the advanced functions of Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.
• Learn how application software impacts society
• Throughout the year, time will be spent on taking practice exams to become a Microsoft Office Specialist.  Microsoft Certification tests are live, online tests given by Microsoft for a fee comparable to Advanced Placement tests.
• Visit //www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/mos.aspx for more information on becoming MOS certified.

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Financial Literacy (Career & Financial Management) (Full-year)#

Required for Virtual Enterprise and Finance Academy students. Of course, non-academy students are encouraged to take this course too!
Recommended for Grades 9 and up. Open to Grades 9-12.
40 weeks/5 meetings per week - 1 Unit
Exam: Local

Explore what you need to know to succeed in the “real world” after high school

• Learn how to manage money you earn, including bank accounts, credit cards, and investments
• Where does your paycheck go? Learn about budgeting, taxes, and social security
• Do you plan on getting a new car? Do you want to rent an apartment? What type of insurance will you need once you move out?
• How does what you buy, what stores you shop at, and how you spend your money affect the economy?
• Exploring careers and what you want to do after high school.

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Internship – Career Exploration Internship Program (Half-year)#

Required for Virtual Enterprise and Finance Academy students. Of course, non-academy students are encouraged to take this course too!
Recommended for Grade 12.  Open to Grade 12 only.
20 weeks/2 meetings per week + 54 Hours of Work-site Experience –  ½ Unit

The Career Exploration Internship Program provides accepted students with hands-on experiences linking school and the workplace.

• Unpaid Internship
• Class meets 2 days a week
• Student Provides own transportation
• Student chooses career area of interest
• Develop résumé
• Job research, networking, interviewing skills
• Personal financial management

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Keyboarding & Personal Documents (Half-year)#

Earn college credit!
Recommended for Grades 9 and up. Open to Grades 9-12.
20 weeks/5 meetings per week **OR** 40 weeks/every-other-day – ½ Unit
Exam: Local

Do you spend a lot of time typing your assignments and projects for school? Does your typing speed slow you down from completing work? Learn how to type faster so that you can type your papers and projects faster.

• Acquire the knowledge necessary to be able to write your papers quickly and in proper format.
• Develop a resume and cover letter that can be used for college applications or to apply for jobs now or after graduation
• Learn how to format reports
• Develop a life-long skill that will benefit you in school and in the workforce

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Microsoft Office (Half-year)#

Earn college credit!
Recommended for Grades 9 and up. Open to Grades 9-12.
20 weeks/5 meetings per week **OR** 40 weeks/every-other-day – ½ Unit
Exam: Local

Do you think you know computers? Expand your knowledge beyond Facebook and playing games on the Internet.

• Learn the new features of Microsoft Office 2010 and how they will benefit you both in college and the workplace
• Explore the every changing world of computer technology and various new technologies hitting the market
• Create documents in Microsoft Word, produce spreadsheets with formulas and graphs using Microsoft Excel
• Develop databases using Microsoft Access and construct presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint

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Owning and Advertising Your Own Business – Desktop Publishing (Half-year)#

Recommended for Grades 10 and up. Open to Grades 9-12.
20 weeks/5 meetings per week – ½ Unit
Exam: Local

If you have a creative side or are planning a career as a business owner or in graphic design, this one semester computer course provides a solid introduction to the skills and techniques involved in creating various printed materials for businesses.

• Each student will develop their own fictional company and create flyers, brochures, newsletters, and promotional materials using desktop publishing software, scanners, digital cameras, and printers. 
• Additionally, students will learn to recognize and implement the graphic design and layout principles that are important to effective communication in our information rich society. 
• The course includes in-depth coverage of desktop publishing terminology, page composition, layout, design, editing functions, and a variety of printing options.

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Personal Financial Literacy (Half-year)#

Required for Virtual Enterprise and Finance Academy students. Of course, non-academy students are encouraged to take this course too!
Recommended for Grades 9 and up. Open to Grades 9-12.
20 weeks/5 meetings per week – ½ Unit
Exam: Local

Explore what you need to know to succeed in the “real world” after high school

• Learn how to manage money you earn, including bank accounts, credit cards, and investments
• Where does your paycheck go? Learn about budgeting, taxes, and social security
• Do you plan on getting a new car? Do you want to rent an apartment? What type of insurance will you need once you move out?
• How does what you buy, what stores you shop at, and how you spend your money affect the economy?
• Exploring careers and what you want to do after high school.

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Personal Law – Criminal Justice and Your Rights (Half-year)#

Recommended for Grades 9 and up. Open to Grades 9-12.
20 weeks/5 meetings per week – ½ Unit
Exam: Local

Looking toward a career in law, law enforcement, or as a paralegal? This course is a basic introduction to the law as it applies to the student. 

• Buying and Insuring your car
• Renting an apartment
• Buying real estate
• Marriage/divorce
• Credit cards and other loans
• Criminal Law: search & seizure, vandalism, shoplifting, and assault & battery
• Civil Law: law suits (torts) minors rights under contracts

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Sports and Entertainment Marketing (Full-year)#

Recommended for Grades 11 and up. Open to Grades 10-12.
40 weeks/5 meetings per week - 1 Unit
Exam: Local

Are you interested in a career in marketing or management? Do you want to own your own business? This course provides an excellent foundation for students who may pursue advanced business studies at a 2 or 4-year College.

• Basic Marketing Concepts
• Marketing Simulations including product and business development
• Exploring Careers In Marketing
• Business Organization & Finance.
• Forms of Ownership; franchises, partnerships, corporations
• Retail Psychology
• Television, Radio, Internet & Print advertising
• Retail Pricing strategies

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Virtual Enterprise (Full-year)#

Required for Virtual Enterprise and Finance Academy students. Of course, non-academy students are encouraged to take this course too!
Recommended for Grades 11 and up. Open to Grades 9-12.
40 weeks/5 meetings per week – 1 Unit
Exam: Local

Virtual Enterprise offers students the opportunity to experience a simulated business environment and examine all facets of being an employee of a firm. 

• Learn how to operate your own business.
• Create new product as a team within your virtual company. 
• Work as employees in departments including Administration, Accounting, Marketing, Sales, and Personnel.
• Perform daily activities and contact other Virtual Enterprise firms to conduct business.
• Learn and use cutting edge technology, such as Ipad2s, flip cameras, Skyping equipment, video cameras, and digital cameras

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Web Design I (Half-year) #

Required for Virtual Enterprise and Finance Academy students. Of course, non-academy students are encouraged to take this course too!
Recommended for Grades 9 and up. Open to Grades 9-12.
20 weeks/5 meetings per week – ½ Unit
Exam: Local

Learn how to create dynamic Web Pages:

• Learn how to create Web Pages using graphic design techniques to wow your audience
• Create Web Design using HTML programming
• Use Microsoft Front Page

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Web Design II (Half-year)#

Earn college credit!
Required for Virtual Enterprise and Finance Academy students. Of course, non-academy students are encouraged to take this course too!
Recommended for Grades 9 and up. Open to Grades 9-12.
20 weeks/5 meetings per week – ½ Unit
Exam: Local

Learn how to create dynamic Web Pages:

• Review design techniques to wow your audience
• Use Dreamweaver to design your Web site
• Explore the world of Adobe with Fireworks and Flash.
• Experience state of the art technology equipment to enhance your designs.
• Create cartoons and animations using Flash.

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Work Study/Work Experience (Earn and Learn) (Full-year, Every-other-day)#

Recommended for Grades 11 and up. Open to Grades 11-12.
40 weeks/every-other-day  – ½ Unit to 2 Units (Depends on hours worked – see below)
Exam: Local

Students can work at their part-time jobs and earn high school credit.  Jobs are obtained by the students themselves prior to school starting in September. Confirmation from the student’s employer will be required at the start of the course. Course topics include

• Learning how to manage money you earn, including bank accounts, credit cards, and investments
• Career research, interview skills, and résumé writing
• Workplace laws

 Students must pass the coursework in class in order to receive credit as follows:

• 150-299 hours = .5 credit
• 300-449 hours = 1 credit
• 450-599 hours = 1.5 credits
• 600+ hours = 2 credits

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