Welcome Parents!
This page is designed specifically for parents of current and
prospective Financial Services students. We've included an overview of the program, answers to a number of frequently asked
questions, and some ideas for parents who want to get more involved in the program themselves. Program
Curriculum Financial Services is a college-prep program for juniors and seniors who are interested in pursuing
college majors and future careers in business. This two-year (four-credit) elective is offered to highly-qualified students
who are looking for an exciting and challenging way to explore the world of business and finance. The program is designed
to work with most schedules and looks attractive on any college application. Financial Services is offered exclusively at
Northwest High School by Butler Tech. Students in this program
explore a broad range of business topics, including: Micro-Economics Macro-Economics International Business Banking & Finance Business Law Entrepreneurship Personal Finance Budgeting, Saving, and Investing Credit and Spending Real Estate and Insurance Business Finance and Management Business Technology Career Exploration & College Planning Job Shadowing
Financial
Services offers a truly unique atmosphere. Students learn interesting material in a fast-paced, interactive environment. Teamwork,
effective communication techniques, and time management skills are learned through extensive involvement in classroom projects
and activities. Students gain valuable leadership skills and have the opportunity to compete at regional, state and national
levels as members of Business Professionals of America. And most importantly, Financial Services prepares students for a successful
transition to many exciting college majors and careers. College
Tech Prep In addition to having a challenging curriculum, Financial Services is also a College
Tech Prep course with college articulation agreements through Greater Cincinnati Tech Prep Consortium.This means that students
have the opportunity to earn college credit and/or place out of introductory business classes at several area colleges. College
Tech Prep and BPA scholarships are also available for qualified candidates. The school
district has partnered with Butler Tech to deliver all of the school’s business classes, including Financial Services.
This means that all the latest technology and business applications will be made available to the students in this program.
To find out more information about Butler Tech, visit their website: www.butlertech.org.
"When
I first came to high school, I never pictured myself finding a class like Financial Services. This class has left me with
the most memories by far. The time I've spent in Financial Services will impact my life in so many ways, from the knowledge
and experience I've gained to the friends I've made." - Jessica, Class of 2010
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Financial Services prepares students for a successful
transition to many exciting college majors and careers: Possible College Majors
Finance
Economics
Accounting
Management
Marketing
Entrepreneurship
Hospitality & Tourism
International
Business
Real Estate
Pre-Law
Information Technology Possible Careers
Stock Broker
Investment Banker
Accountant
Lawyer
Economist
Consultant
Financial Analyst
Insurance Agent
Money Manager
Realtor
Entrepreneur "Of
all the classes I've taken over the course of my high school career, I honestly have to say that Financial Services has had
the biggest and most major impact on my life, not only educationally but personally." - Mario, Class of 2010
Please email Mr. Clark at the address above with YOUR
questions about Financial Services (FS for short). Here are some questions
that others have been asking...
FS FAQs Question: When do the classes meet next year? How will they work in the new 7 bell day? How many
credits are the classes worth? Answer: Juniors will meet
during bells 5-6, all year long. Seniors will meet during bells 1-2, all year long. The two-year program is worth a total
of 4 credits. Question: This class is "college prep". What does that mean? How will this class help my daughter
get ready for college? Answer: The FS curriculum is closely aligned
with the core business classes offered in most college business programs. Our textbooks are college-level books, the
curriculum challenges students to think critically, and the emphasis on teamwork prepares students for the demands of college
projects. We have articulation agreements with many area colleges, which allow students to earn college credit and/or place
out of introductory college business classes. Scholarships are also available through Tech Prep and BPA. Question: What is BPA? What are competitions? Answer: Business Professionals of America (BPA for short) is a national student organization for business students
(and is the largest student organization at our school). BPA provides business students with opportunities for leadership,
community service, and team building. For competitions, students select two business events of interest (pretty much anything
you can imagine that relates to business) and they compete with students in the region, state, and across nation. Please see the new "BPA" page of this website or www.bpa.org for more details! Question:
Financial Services is a "Butler Tech" class. What does this mean? Answer: Many of the electives offered in the district are provided by Butler Tech now (Business Technologies,
Business Foundations, all of the career center programs, NJROTC, Foods, Fashion Design, etc.). Butler Tech has been able to
update all of the technology, equipment and supplies in these courses and reduce the class fees. This means a higher quality
educational experience for students at a much lower cost. The Butler Tech courses show up on report cards and transcripts
just like any other Northwest class.
Question:
Can you sign up for just one year of Financial Services? Answer:
No, this is a two-year program. If you sign up for FS, you commit to both years. I would encourage your son/daughter to speak
with current students about this - I think that you will find that most students are glad that the program is so comprehensive.
Question: What are
the requirements to apply for Financial Services? Answer: Admission into the Financial Services program is extremely competitive. Minimum qualifications for
applicants include: a 2.0 GPA; a "C" or better in Algebra I; junior standing at the start of the 2010-11 school
year with no academic deficiencies; and a 90% attendance rate. Students should have passed all five parts of the OGT during
their sophomore year, or they will be required to take OGT summer make-up classes before the start of their junior year. See
the application for further information about the selection process, or speak with a guidance counselor directly. Question: If I sign up for Financial Services, can I also take Intro to Business, Intro to Accounting,
and Intro to Financial Services? Sure.
We have many students who do this. These "intro" classes are meant to be broad introductions to business,
accounting, and finance. They work especially well freshman or sophomore year before you take Financial
Services ... but you can take them junior or senior year as well (and many students do!).
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Ways to Get Involved
Interested
in ways to get more involved in the Financial Services program? Here are some ideas... Fundraisers BPA can always
use help on our fundraising activities ... with planning, coordinating, and selling. We hold Carnation Sales
for Sweetest Day and Valentine's Day, have Sundae Sales in the cafeteria, conduct a Car Wash
in the spring, and typically sell Food products (cheesecakes, coffee, etc.) a couple times a year. All of
these fundraising activities help to fund everything that our BPA chapter does during the school year.
Special Events We have a number of activities throughout the year which involve parents. There
is an Open House held in January for parents of current and prospective students. There is a Year-End
Cookout for students and parents (including incoming students for the next school year). There are also
a couple of Awards Ceremonies toward the end of the year - one for BPA and one for Financial Services. Please
come out and discover what we're all about first hand!
Community Service Projects BPA tries to give back to the community in a variety of ways. Recently, our students
worked with Student Senate to build Victory Pathway at Northwest HS. Approximately 80 BPA students came
out to plant trees, move mulch, spread topsoil, and lay gravel. We are currently planning a new project for 2010-11.
Chaperones We can always use the help of parents as chaperones on field trips! We visit college
campuses, attend competitions and workshops, and travel to other special activities throughout the year.
Advisory Committee We also
have an advisory committee for the program that consists of parents, current students, program graduates, community business leaders,
college representatives, guidance counselors, and school administrators. The committee provides guidance for all we do in
Financial Services.
"Financial
Services has taught me how to use my knowledge to the fullest extent and push myself to be the best I can be. I'm so glad
that I took this class. It has helped me to grow as a person and prepared me for the future." - Sahara, Class of 2010
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