An exciting new course is coming to J. Taylor Finley Middle School after Huntington School Board members approved the Virtual Enterprise - Junior Ventures Career Academy. The new class is slated to run in the 2022/23 school year.
Estimated annual registration is expected to total about 200 eighth graders. The full year course will run on alternating days. A state certified business education will provide instruction.
“The junior virtual enterprise course will enable students to develop technology and entrepreneurial skills along with learning about business and careers,” states the course description. “Students will also build their problem-solving, decision-making, time management, public speaking, financial literacy, teamwork and technology skills.”
A course proposal was previously vetted by district officials along with the Subject Matter Council and the Educational Development Committee.
“There is currently a popular Virtual Enterprise course at Huntington High School,” states the course rationale presented to trustees at Monday night’s public meeting. “This course will offer an opportunity for students to begin an introductory program at the middle school level as an elective course.”
First year course materials and program expenses are expected to run about $3,000 and will be funded by the district’s curriculum and instruction office. Any additional materials in future years will be covered through Finley’s regular budget appropriations.
“We are looking forward to offering this course to engage students at the middle school level with a true business class learning experience,” Assistant Superintendent Beth McCoy said. “We hope that it will peak the interests of many, who will then be interested in building upon this opportunity at Huntington High School with the Virtual Enterprise course.”