What is the Academy of Finance?
The Questions:
"Why does congress have to raise the debt limit to fund the government?'
"How do I keep from drowning in student loans?"
"Why not just print more money for the poor?"
"Why is everything so expensive?"
"Is a strong dollar good or bad?"
"Why money anyway?"
Ever ask those questions? Are you starting to worry about how to pay for college or get a place of your own? Or maybe you just want to know how to control of your own finances and not have to live pay check to paycheck. If so, then maybe you should consider applying to the Academy of Finance.
The Overview:
Ballard's Academy of Finance (AOF) is a program aimed at the student looking at future in business, economics, finance or simply interested in being in control of their own finances or understanding how the economy works. AOF is part of the National Academy Association (NAF);
naf.org. The core of the program takes place during your Junior & Senior years where you will explore and understand the big picture of how the economy works and affects you through Business Economics (micro-economics) & Business in Global Economy (macro-economics), as well as how it impacts you personally through Principles of Finance (personal finance) and Business Ethics.
The Details:
In addition to a rigorous and relevant curriculum, students will have access to:
- A paid internship during the summer between Junior & Senior year
- Career Conferences both years
- Mentoring by UW Foster School of Business students on projects.
- Access to our 30 plus professional advisory board from companies such as: K & L Gates, Marriot, Key Bank, KPMG, Inn at the Market among others.
- College exploratory class at Seattle University
- Career planning, coaching and training
- Develop networking & Business communication skills
- Opportunity to create a mentorship relationship.
- Trip to New York City (Senior Year) visiting Wall street, AOF academy school in Queens, NYC
How to Apply
Applications to the Academy are due in March of the 9th or 10th grade years. We highly recommend that students take a prerequisite course and follow the Traditional Pathway.
We understand the tightness of student schedules, so students interested but unable to follow the Traditional Pathway can take advantage of the Selective Pathway to be a part of the academy experience. If that is the case (which requires approval by AOF teachers) they must take the Principles of Finance class and three other designated CTE courses and participate in all other AOF activities. See the AOF brochure or Mr. Blazevic for details.
Suggested Sequence of courses: Grade 9-10 One prerequisite:
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Prerequisite Course Options:
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Computer Applications I
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Accounting I
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Entrepreneurship
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Marketing I
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Sports & Entertainment Marketing
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Traditional Pathway, Required Sequence of Courses:
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Grade 11
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Grade 12
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Business Economics – 1st Semester
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Ethics in Business - 2nd Semester
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Principles of Finance – 2nd Semester
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Business in a Global Economy - 1st Semester
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Selective Pathway, Principle of Finance plus 3 semesters of any of the following:
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AP Macroeconomics (2 semesters)
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AP Computer Science (2 semesters)
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Entrepreneurship
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Marketing I
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Sports & Entertainment Marketing
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Accounting I
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