Business & Technology
| Site: | Learn@VCS |
| Course: | VCHS Course Catalog |
| Book: | Business & Technology |
| Printed by: | Guest user |
| Date: | Wednesday, February 5, 2025, 11:59 AM |
Department Overview
DESCRIPTION OF EXCELLENCE
Lead with Purpose, Serve with Love, and Impact in Faith - Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10-11
The Business and Technology department offers academic courses in business, engineering, and computer science, enabling students to cultivate 21st-century skills rooted in Biblical principles. As students advance their knowledge and expertise in business, technology, and engineering, they are encouraged to nurture an entrepreneurial mindset to solve real-world problems. This interdisciplinary approach helps students build the foundational knowledge of creative design thinking at the core of technology innovation.DISTINCTIVE EXPERIENCE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Building upon the foundational learning in core business, technology, and engineering subjects, our students extend their knowledge to the next level through real-world applications and hands-on/project-based learning through co-curricular programs. The programs include the President's Business Challenge, DECA, Quest Incubator, and Speech and Debate.
Visit our BEI program page for more information.
Department Map
BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY COURSES
This map is a general planning tool, intended to show the course and typical student tracks. Students may deviate from the map and should consult with counselors and teachers to find the best classes to meet their academic and spiritual goals. Courses offered may vary from year to year.
Business Courses
Business
Personal Finance & Stewardship
This course equips students with the skills and knowledge to approach personal finance through a biblical lens. Students will learn how to avoid debt, budget intentionally, invest wisely, and build and steward wealth in a way that honors God. Instruction includes teacher lectures, engaging videos, class discussions, team projects, homework assignments, and tests, all designed to bring the principles of financial stewardship to life. By applying these lessons to everyday decisions, students will be empowered to secure a strong financial future and develop positive habits. This course is designed to transform students’ understanding of money management, setting them on a lifelong path to financial health and faithful stewardship.
In this course, emphasis is placed on five major units: 1) introduction to personal finance; 2) savings; 3) budgeting; 4) credit and debt; and 5) investing for retirement.
Additional Course Details
- Students will be required to open their own checking and savings account.
- Students will create a budget & track their own expenses using spreadsheets and budgeting mobile app.
- This course is a DECA approved course.
| Course Number | 0901 |
| Grade Level | 9,10,11,12 |
| Pre-Requisite | None |
| Application and/or Audition Date | None |
| Credits | 10 |
| VCHS Graduation Credit | Elective |
| UC Approval | Yes Area G (General Elective-Interdisciplinary) |
| Fees | $75 Curriculum Fee (includes textbook) |
Business Fundamentals
This course provides students with the skills needed to effectively organize, develop, and manage a business. They will understand how the market economy and ownership lead to wealth creation. Students will learn not only the skills necessary to become a successful businessperson but also the attitudes, characteristics, and techniques needed to succeed. Personal financial literacy will be explored to help them meet their financial goals in life. Students will build analytical skills through solving complex problems and making sound decisions in order to produce a viable business.In this course, emphasis is placed on the functions of business management: organization, management, finance, marketing, distribution, promotion, and selling. Additional topics to be covered include the government's role in a business, the assessment of personal skills, the components of the free enterprise system and its place in the global economy, human relations and interpersonal skills, career planning, the importance of business ethics, and the role quality and service play in business.
Additional Course Details
- This course is a DECA approved course.
| Course Number |
0909 |
| Grade Level | 9,10,11,12 |
| Pre-Requisite | Priority is given based on participation in DECA. |
| Application and/or Audition Date | None |
| Credits | 10 |
| VCHS Graduation Credit | Elective |
| UC Approval | Yes Area G (General Elective-Interdisciplinary) |
| Fees | $75 Curriculum Fee (includes textbook) |
Entrepreneurship Practicum (H)
In this hands-on course, students have the unique opportunity to dive into the world of small business management and put theory into practice, i.e. “Learn by Doing.” Walley’s student store is a real-world classroom where students gain practical experience operating and managing every aspect of the business. Students actively participate in managing all facets of the business, bringing their innovative ideas to life as the course continues to grow and expand into new areas of business exploration.Students develop essential skills in project management, business development, operations/inventory management, sales, marketing, budgeting, human resources, customer service, and teamwork. This course challenges students to engage in critical thinking, creativity, and practical problem-solving. Through collaboration and effective communication, students gain the tools and confidence to thrive in real-world business environments, making this course an essential foundation for future success in any professional field.
Additional Course Details
- Enrollment space is limited in this course.
- This is a DECA approved class.
| Course Number | 0783 |
| Grade Level | 10,11,12 |
| Pre-Requisite | Grade of "A" in Business Fundamentals |
| Application and/or Audition Date | Apply by March 1st. Click here to fill out the application. Contact Mrs. Farsai <pfarsai@vcs.net> with any questions. |
| Credits | 10 |
| VCHS Graduation Credit | Elective |
| UC Approval | Yes Area G (General Elective-Interdisciplinary) |
| Fees | $250 Course & Program Fee |
Entrepreneurship (H)
What are the key factors in the process of creating a company? What fundamental knowledge and skills do entrepreneurs need to develop an idea into a business opportunity? The Entrepreneurship Honors course provides students in grades 10-12 the ability to go through the planning and development process to launch their own startup during this yearlong, project-based course. Students will build upon the lessons and skills learned in the Business Fundamentals course and work through the process from ideation to product development.As part of this course, all students will participate in the President’s Business Challenge competition, allowing them to pitch their ideas to seasoned Silicon Valley venture capitalists. Students will interact with top industry leaders through personal mentoring as they go through the process from concept to launch. They will gain valuable experience in teamwork and collaboration as they learn to problem-solve and develop innovative business solutions that are viable, profitable, scalable, and sustainable. The end product will be a formal pitch deck that identifies their problem/opportunity, solution/product, TAM (total addressable market), go-to-market strategy, pro forma income statements, product brochure, and mock prototype.
Students will use a variety of curricula such as Entrepreneurship, Practice, and Mindset by Professor Heidi Neck at Babson College and/or Disciplined Entrepreneurship developed by Professor Bill Aulet at the MIT Center for Entrepreneurship and go through the 24 steps to take their startup idea from inception to implementation.
Additional Expectations: As with other advanced academic courses, students can expect two to three hours of homework per week. There are also 3 mandatory events outside of the classroom, these include the Mentorship Kickoff event, and semi-final/final rounds of the President’s Business Challenge, and BEI showcase.
Additional Course Details
- Enrollment space is limited in this class.
- This course is a DECA approved course.
| Course Number | 0903 |
| Grade Level | 10,11,12 |
| Pre-Requisite | Grade of "A" in Business Fundamentals |
| Application and/or Audition Date | Apply by March 1st. Click here to fill out the application. Contact Mr. Weiner <mweiner@vcs.net> with any questions. |
| Credits | 10 |
| VCHS Graduation Credit | Elective |
| UC Approval | Yes Area G (General Elective-Interdisciplinary) |
| Fees | $250 Course & Program Fee and $50 Curriculum/Textbook Fee |
Social Innovation (H)
This course introduces the concepts of innovation, design thinking, and impact in the social sector and teaches students to apply an entrepreneurial mindset to create sustainable solutions that address social needs in our community and beyond. We will explore historical approaches to social change, along with the strengths and limitations of the current social impact sector. We will examine how design thinking can be applied in different institutional, cultural, and economic contexts, with a particular emphasis on user empathy and stakeholder engagement. We will also study the various financial and corporate structures available to a social enterprise, including for-profit, nonprofit, B-corp, and hybrid structures.Through experiential learning, students will be exposed to social innovation. Students will use projects and both local and international case studies to discover the perspectives and strategies that drive real-world change. In the first semester, students will assess factors on our school campus that negatively affect the student experience, and engage in the design thinking process to come up with innovative, implementable solutions that are then formally proposed to school administrators. The second semester project will take place in partnership with a local government agency or nonprofit, in which students apply their knowledge to research, ideate, prototype, and test possible solutions to real-world problems faced by the local community before presenting their solutions to local leaders. Students will learn about and implement the following tools in their work: needfinding, ethnographic research, human-centered design, rapid prototyping, partnership building, and pathways for scaling solutions.
By the end of this course, the successful student will be able to demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills to analyze and evaluate qualitative and quantitative data to develop and implement solutions. Students will also develop effective communication and collaboration skills by working in groups, and present solutions to community leaders and decision-makers. Equally important to success in this class will be the ability to practice curiosity, humility, open-mindedness, and concern for others.
Additional Course Details
- Enrollment space is limited in this course.
- This course is a DECA approved course.
| Course Number | 0732 |
| Grade Level | 10,11,12 |
| Pre-Requisite | Grade of "A" in Business Fundamentals OR "'A" in Principles of Engineering OR "A" in AP Computer Science |
| Application and/or Audition Date | Apply by March 1st. Click here to fill out the application. Contact Mrs. Cheng-Tozun <dchengtozun@vcs.net> with any questions. |
| Credits | 10 |
| VCHS Graduation Credit | Elective |
| UC Approval | Yes Area G (General Elective-Interdisciplinary) |
| Fees | $250 Course & Program Fee (textbooks not included) |
Computer Science Courses
Computer Science
Introduction to Computer Science (CodeHS)
This course introduces students to computer programming and the steps required to build applications that will solve problems and automate tasks. Many assignments will require thinking through processes and building flow diagrams. These will then be used as a blueprint for writing code. Python will be taught as the entry point for learning programming. Concepts will include decision processing, array handling, and the use of various types of data. Students with any level of computer programming experience, including none at all, are encouraged take this course before taking AP Computer Science Principles and/or AP Computer Science A. This class utilizes an online curriculum for delivery of content.
| Course Number | 0759 |
| Grade Level | 9,10,11,12 |
| Pre-Requisite | Grade of B or better in Algebra I |
| Application and/or Audition Date | None |
| Credits | 10 |
| VCHS Graduation Credit | Elective |
| UC Approval | Yes-Area G (General Elective-Math-CompSci) |
| Fees | $75 Curriculum Fee (includes textbook) |
AP Computer Science Principles (CodeHS)
| Course Number | 0758 |
| Grade Level | 9,10,11,12 |
| Pre-Requisite | Recommended pre-requisites: Introduction to Computer Programming or Introduction to Computer Science and Algebra 2 (taken previously or concurrent). |
| Application and/or Audition Date | None |
| Credits | 10 |
| VCHS Graduation Credit | Elective |
| UC Approval | Yes-Area D (Science) |
| Fees | $75 Curriculum Fee (includes textbook) and AP Exam Fee |
AP Computer Science A (CodeHS)
This course covers basic and advanced topics of Java programming—including types, methods, conditionals, strings, and objects—in preparation for the AP Computer Science A exam. Students design and implement solutions to problems by writing, running, and debugging computer programs using algorithms and data structures. Students also recognize the ethical and social implications of computer use.
Additional Expectations: As with other advanced academic courses, students can expect two to three hours of homework per week, including programming assignments.
| Course Number | 0756 |
| Grade Level | 10,11,12 |
| Pre-Requisite | Space is limited and priority is given based on the prequisites Introduction to Computer Science (programming) grade of 70% or above OR AP Computer Science Principles grade 70% or above AND previous or concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2. Click here to fill out the application. Contact Mr. MacMillan <jmacmillan@vcs.net> with any questions. |
| Credits | 10 |
| VCHS Graduation Credit | Elective |
| UC Approval | Yes Area C (Mathematics-Computer Science) |
| Fees | $75 Curriculum Fee (includes textbook) and AP Exam Fee |
Data Structures and Algorithms (H)
Studying data structures and algorithms often represents a person’s first study of the “science” of computing, beyond just programming. Students use various data structures to solve computational problems and implement data structures using the Java programming language. Algorithms are created, decomposed, and expressed as pseudocode. The running time of various algorithms and their computational complexity are analyzed. Mastery of these concepts is part of the foundation of the discipline of computing, leading to computing professionals as distinct from programmers.
Additional Course Details
- Enrollment space is limited in this course.
| Course Number | 0784 |
| Grade Level | 10,11,12 |
| Pre-Requisite | Space is limited and priority is given based on the requisites : Grade of "A" in AP Computer Science A. Click here to fill out the application. Contact Mr. MacMillan <jmacmillan@vcs.net> with any questions. |
| Application and/or Audition Date | None |
| Credits | 10 |
| VCHS Graduation Credit | Elective |
| UC Approval | Yes Area G (Elective, Mathematics - Computer Science) |
| Fees | None |
Advanced Cybersecurity Honors (CodeHS)
Many agree that cybersecurity is “the next big thing” in K-12 computer science education. As technology expands and the number of connected devices grows, so does the need for security and network experts. With over 300,000 job openings in the field, students can expect to learn real-world applications of network and security concepts that will open up a world of opportunities. The CodeHS Advanced Cybersecurity course is the capstone course of the cybersecurity pathway. In this course, students will learn advanced topics in the field of cybersecurity, including advanced cryptography, networking, risk assessment, and cyber defense.
The course utilizes a blended classroom approach. The content is a mix of web-based and physical activities. Students will modify existing code and run it in the browser, investigate cyber-related topics, and reflect on them and discuss them, create digital presentations, and engage in in-person collaborative exercises with classmates. Teachers utilize tools and resources provided by CodeHS to leverage time in the classroom and give focused 1-on-1 attention to students.
Students modify and run programs in the browser using the CodeHS online editor. Students will be able to modify text-based programs in HTML, JavaScript, SQL, and simulate shell commands. Students will also participate in simulated cyber attacks on safe sites in order to learn how to mitigate cyber attacks. Students will be able to document their processes and discuss best practices for preventing cyber attacks.
Note: Enrollment in this course will be limited, and students who have previously taken AP Computer Science courses will be given priority.
| Course Number | TBD |
| Grade Level | 10,11,12 |
| Pre-Requisite | Completion of any previous VCHS Computer Science course, but space is limited and priority will be give to studens who have previously taken an AP Computer Science course. |
| Application and/or Audition Date | None |
| Credits | 10 |
| VCHS Graduation Credit | Elective |
| UC Approval | Pending - Area D (Science) |
| Fees | $75 Curriculum Fee |
iPad Technical Support Internship
Interns are on the front lines of student iPad support and are expected to help students with their use and application of iOS settings, iOS productivity and creativity Apps, file and data management, digital learning workflow, and common student functions such as communication, planning and organization, eReading, note taking, and Internet research. Students are trained in customer service and communication skills, troubleshooting skills, and escalating student help requests to the next point of support when necessary. Interns also contribute support articles to an iPad knowledge base and tips to an iPad blog. Interns are expected to be model digital citizens and learners. Students work directly for the VCS IT department during one of the eight periods of the school day.
Additional Expectations: Interns also participate in approximately 3-5 VCS events during the school year (e.g. registration day).
| Course Number | 0716 |
| Grade Level | 9,10,11,12 |
| Pre-Requisite | Space is limited and this course requires completion of the Application below and instructor aproval. |
| Application and/or Audition Date | Click here to fill out the application. Contact Mr. Cunningham <jcunningham@vcs.net> with any questions. |
| Credits | 10 |
| VCHS Graduation Credit | Elective |
| UC Approval | No |
| Fees | None |
Engineering Courses
Engineering
PLTW: Introduction to Engineering Design (H)
This course exposes students to the design process, research, and analysis used in engineering. Students learn about global and human impacts and how to use the standards and technical documentation of engineering to address those impacts. Students also learn about the importance of teamwork and clear communication when using engineering solutions. Students use 3D solid modeling design software to help them formulate solutions to proposed problems. The skills taught culminate in an ability to effectively document work and communicate solutions to peers and members of the professional community.
| Course Number | 0730 |
| Grade Level | 9,10,11,12 |
| Pre-Requisite | Grade of B or better in Algebra I |
| Application and/or Audition Date | None |
| Credits | 10 |
| VCHS Graduation Credit | Elective |
| UC Approval | Yes Area D (Science - Engineering) |
| Fees | $200 Engineering Lab Fee (includes textbook) |
PLTW: Principles of Engineering (H)
This course is for students who are serious about pursuing a possible future in engineering. This survey course exposes students to major concepts they will encounter in a post-secondary engineering course. This survey introduces mechanisms, energy sources, electronic circuits, thermodynamics, statics, material properties, structural design, control systems, and kinematics.
Students employ engineering and scientific concepts to solve design problems. Students develop problem-solving skills, document their work, and communicate solutions to peers and members of the professional community.
| Course Number | 0731 |
| Grade Level | 10,11,12 |
| Pre-Requisite | Grade C or higher in Intro to Engineering Design |
| Application and/or Audition Date | None |
| Credits | 10 |
| VCHS Graduation Credit | Elective |
| UC Approval | Yes Area D (Science - Engineering) |
| Fees | $200 Engineering Lab Fee (includes textbook) |