- Brandon High
- NAF Academy of Finance & Entrepreneurship (AOFE)
Career and Technical
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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.
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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 Distiguished Academy.
Program courses include: Business Communications Technology, Accounting Applications (H), Summer Internship, Personal Financial Planning (H), and Business Ownership (VEI). AOF students that complete the Finance Track are eligible to apply for the $20,000 William A. Gregory Foundation Scholarship.
DECA is the co-curricular student organization for finance students.
CERTIFICATIONS - Students have the opportunity to attain industry certification in Entrepreneurship & Small Business, CIW Social Media Strategist, and Intuit Quickbooks.
Courses
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1. BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
Grade 9-10
1 credit
This course is designed to provide an overview of current business, finance and information systems and trends and to introduce 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 work place proficiency in an information-based society. This also includes proficiency with computers using databases, spreadsheets, presentation applications, financial and tax software applications and the integration of these programs using software that meets industry standards. Students have the opportunity to earn an Industry Certification as a MICROSOFT OFFICE SPECIALIST.
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2. ECONOMICS AND FINANCIAL SERVICES - HONORS
Grade 10-12
1 credit
Recommended prerequisite: Computer Fundamentals OR Digital Information Technology
This course presents basic topics in economics, including the principles and practices of banking, credit, and consumer lending in the United States. Additional emphasis is placed on money, credit and banking, economic growth and stability, use of limited resources, characteristics of different economic systems and institutions, taxation and budgeting, labor management relations, and sales. Students become familiar with the major functions of banks and other financial intermediaries, central banking by the Federal Reserve System, and modern trends in the finance industry. The students are also introduced to credit functions, principles of credit risk evaluation, loan creation, debt collection, and stocks and bonds.
AP Macroeconomics AND AP Microeconomics can substitute
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3. ACCOUNTING APPLICATIONS 1- HONORS
Grade 11-12
1 credit
This course emphasizes double-entry accounting; methods and principles of recording business transactions; the preparation of various documents used in recording income, expenses, acquisition of assets, incurrence of liabilities, and changes in equity; and the preparation of financial statements. The use of computers is required.
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4. FINANCIAL INTERNSHIP OJT
Grade 11-12
1 credit
NOTE: Students are required to serve a PAID financial internship during the summer after their junior year or if necessary during their senior year.
Students are provided the opportunity to interview for paid summer internships available through financial institutions such as Suncoast Credit Union, Grow Financial, and USF Federal Credit Union. Internships connect students to the real world of work and establish important relationships between students and adult professionals in financial services. 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.
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5. PERSONAL FINANCE - HONORS
Grade 12
1 credit
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.
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BRANDON'S AOF VISION
To prepare 50-75 students per year for college and/or work in the field of Business Finance by providing engaging instructional activities and work-based learning opportunities so students are prepared for postsecondary education and the global workplace.
AOF CURRICULUM
Academy students will have completed four courses and a paid internship by graduation that enhance college and career readiness
WHY IS FINANCE IMPORTANT?
Opportunities in finance occupations are projected to grow 10 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. There will continue to be a high demand for accountants and auditors due to globalization, a growing economy, and a complex tax and regulatory environment. In addition, with the growth of data and market research in understanding consumers and developing marketing strategies, there will be a growing demand for market research analysts.
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WHAT IS NAF?Brandon’s AOF is a part of a national network, the National Academy Foundation (NAF), designed to impact students’ college and career opportunities for life success. The academy model provides career-themed curriculum at each grade level.
HOW TO APPLY?
Submit an application to an Academy of your choice.
Complete the online application at: https://forms.office.com/r/ha8qpggvaS
OR
Download to obtain the printed application: Academy Application
For additional information, contact the Academy Director:Jeanna Dauphinee: jeanna.dauphinee@hcps.net