Edsmen take an actual product to market, develop influential advertising strategies, and learn the ropes of finance from industry pros, all while practicing ethical decision-making.
Located in the cutting-edge Ken Layden ’80 Center for Entrepreneurial Solutions, this program inspires students through hands-on business challenges. They learn to think outside the box, solve problems that matter, and make smart, ethical decisions. With more than half of our student body diving into these courses, the department is loaded with energy and fresh ideas.
Our curriculum mirrors the challenges of a college business degree but keeps it accessible and engaging for high school students. It’s all about fostering creativity, teamwork, and a solid understanding of how businesses work. Whether they’re diving into entrepreneurship, accounting, finance, marketing, data analytics, or operations management, students gain the practical skills they need for whatever path they choose. They learn to see the big picture in business, understanding how everything from balance sheets to senior management decisions plays a role in success.
Grounded in IB principles and Holy Cross values, the department emphasizes social responsibility and respect for all cultures. Students learn to spot and address the injustices that some companies have caused, understanding that real success means making a positive impact on the world.
Writing and presentation skills are integral in this program because clear communication is key in the business world. Students learn how to express their ideas clearly, back them up with solid reasoning, and make informed decisions. This focus, along with a strong foundation in business basics, gets Edsmen ready to shine in both college and their future careers.
Student Samples
Intro to Business Product Pitches:
Classroom Highlight
The Choolaah Challenge is an interdisciplinary collaboration between students in Honors English I and Intro to Business classes.
For the last two years, Edsmen embarked on a creative journey, conceptualizing and crafting advertising campaigns for Indian BBQ restaurant Choolaah. Small groups integrated language-based skills from English with financial acumen gained in business to create social media campaigns aimed at capturing the attention of a teen audience and highlighting Choolaah’s newest location.
Students presented their ideas to Choolaah’s leadership team, vying for the opportunity to have their work featured in the restaurant's real-life marketing.
