Horseheads High School
Business
Welcome to the Horseheads High School Business Department. We offer classes that allow students to develop the skills needed to be successful in college, career, and life. Our goal is to prepare students to directly enter the world of work or to pursue further educational opportunities in preparation for the world of work.
All students in business classes gain skills in word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications essential in today's society. We take information from other classes and link them through projects, presentations, and other activities.
We presently offer 16 different courses: ten semester courses and six half-credit courses. Our courses are described in the "Course Listing" link to the left. Here are some examples of what our courses entail:
- Multi-Media Presentation includes a PowerPoint project with the Social Studies Department called "History of the Decade." This project teaches students techniques and strategies for delivering effective presentations using public speaking skills and PowerPoint software.
- International Business includes projects that enable students to gain valuable knowledge of geography, international trade, cultural differences, world currencies, etc. that are necessary to succeed in our global economy.
- Career Pathways places emphasis on understanding the process of selecting a career from start to finish. Programs such as "Choices," "Bridges," and Internet searches are used to promote interest in up-and-coming careers.
- Sports and Entertainment Marketing uses the basic functions and strategies of marketing and applies them to current interests of the student in reference to sports, entertainment, and recreational activities.
All of these courses involve technology through the use of various software programs including: Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Inspiration, Microsoft Publisher, and Internet searches. This coincides with our district technology benchmarks. Our students are at an advantage when they go into the work world or to college.
Additionally, we use many guest speakers and field trips to give students real world experience and relevant advice from expertise in a particular field. A male and female "Business Student of the Month" is recognized based on good attendance, leadership, creativity, effective problem-solving, and teamwork skills.
The New York State Education Department said in 2002 that "the number one college major in the US is business. This major might be business administration, business management, accounting, marketing, computer technology, etc." Various former students have approached us and told us how fortunate they were when attending college that they had previous experience in many courses in high school. It made it much easier for them to adjust to the college classes because of their background from various business classes.
| Standard 1: | Career Development |
| Students will be knowledgeable about the world of work, explore career options, and relate personal skills, aptitudes, and abilities to future career decisions. | |
| Standard 2: | Integrated Learning |
| Students will demonstrate how academic knowledge and skills are applied in the workplace and other settings. | |
| Standard 3a: | Universal Foundation Skills |
| Students will demonstrate mastery of the foundation skills and competencies essential for success in the workplace. | |
| Standard 3b: | Career Majors |
| Students who choose a career major will acquire the career-specific technical knowledge/skills necessary to progress toward gainful employment, career advancement, and success in postsecondary programs. |
| Teachers: | Richard Riggi, James Russ |