Brandon High, A Community School

Institute of Business and Technology

The Institute of Business and Technology provides students a wide variety of programs in the fields of Technology, Marketing, and Business.  

Academy of Finance and Entrepreneurship

The academy gives high school students an opportunity to learn about and prepare for college and/or careers in business, entrepreneurship, and the financial services industry. Emphasis is placed upon a college preparatory curriculum that is directly linked to the financial world. Brandon’s Academy of Finance was awarded NAF's highest honor in 2021 as a Distinguished Academy.  Our Academy is the only Hillsborough County NAF Academy to consistently maintain this honor, as were also at the Distinguished level for 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Program courses include: Business Communications Technology, Accounting Applications (H), Personal Finance (H), Summer Internship, and Business Ownership-VEI (H).  AOF students that complete the Finance Track are eligible to apply for the $20,000 William A. Gregory Foundation Scholarship. The Personal Finance course fulfills the graduation requirement, if the student completes the full-year course. 

FBLA is the co-curricular student organization for all business and technology students.

CERTIFICATIONS - Students have the opportunity to attain industry certification in Entrepreneurship & Small Business, Intuit Project Management Ready, CIW Social Media Strategist, Intuit Professional Bookkeeping, and Intuit Quickbooks.

Ms. Dauphinee was picked as Bay News 9's Teacher of the Week. Check out the video here. 

NAF Academy of Finance & Entrepreneurship Course Descriptions

Business Communications Technology (AOF Course)

1 credit              Grades 9-10

This course is designed to provide an overview of current business, finance and information systems and trends. This course introduces students to the foundations required for today’s business environments. Emphasis is placed on developing proficiency with computer applications, so that they may be used as communication tools for enhancing personal and workplace proficiency in an information-based society. Students have the opportunity to earn an Industry Certification in Entrepreneurship & Small Business.

OR

Digital Information Technology

1 credit              Grades 9-12

This course is designed to provide a basic overview of current business and information systems and trends, and to introduce students to fundamental skills required for today’s business and academic environments. It will prepare students to be successful both personally and professionally in an information-based society. It includes the exploration of HTML web page design, word processing and presentation applications, and the Internet. Students have the opportunity to attain industry certification in Entrepreneurship & Small Business and is a prerequisite to many technology courses.

Accounting Applications Honors (AOF Course)

1 credit              Grades 10-12

Prerequisites: Business Communications Technology or Digital Information Tech

The course includes but is not limited to double-entry accounting principles; methods of recording business transactions; preparation and analysis of various documents and financial statements; payroll records and tax forms; accounting control systems; account and transaction analysis; inventory methods; the aging process; depreciation; and the application of accounting principles to various entities. Industry certification available for Certified Bookkeeping Professional.

Personal Finance Honors

1 credit              Grades 11-12

Prerequisites: AOF Juniors OR any BHS Senior 

This course develops an awareness of the need for care and organization in planning for the wise use of economic resources and financial products available through a study of savings, credit, insurance, banking, investing and financial goals. The students are also made aware of the career opportunities offered by lending institutions. This class manages operations of the student run branch of the Suncoast Credit Union throughout the year. This provides working knowledge of how a financial institution operates. This course fulfills the graduation requirement if the student completes the full-year course.

Financial Internship (AOF Course)

1 credit              Grades 11-12

Prerequisites: AOF students only; NOTE: Students are required to serve a PAID financial internship during the summer after their junior year or if necessary, during their senior year (Financial Internship OJT)  

The financial internship course provides students with authentic learning experiences in which they demonstrate human relations, technical, communication, and career development skills through entry level employment in the financial services industry. Through hands-on project management, mentors supervise student learning in specific skill attainment and professional development. Students earn high school credit and financial compensation.

Business Ownership Honors

1 credit              Grades 11-12

Prerequisites: AOF Completer, Seniors from AOIT, TV Prod. & AOSMM or CTE teacher recommendation 

The purpose of this course is to prepare students for careers as entrepreneurs. Virtual Enterprise International (VEI) will have the students working through hands-on, task-based curricula where students test drive potential careers and develop in-demand skills and competencies that post-secondary institutions and employers are seeking. Students work individually, in departments, and as a company to develop a business plan and implement it. Students engage in trade with students from around the world using VE’s online global banking system and in-person at the International Trade Show. Local, regional, and national events provide opportunities for students to present their work, experience real-world competition, network with peers, and connect with college and business partners.