Academy of Finance (AoF)

About Us
Registration Information

About Us

The Academy of Finance (AoF) is a school of business finance and management available at each of our three high schools. The academy offers students opportunities to create an impressive portfolio of skills. AoF students develop professional skills, receive specialized instruction in business finance and management, and gain awareness of the marketable skills needed to be successful in the field. Students acquire practical experience via field experiences, internship opportunities, and course projects. Through an interdisciplinary approach courses are selected to prepare students for college and careers.

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The Academy of Finance offers all students opportunities to earn college credits while still in high school through optional AP courses or dual enrollment.

Key Elements of Academy of Finance
What is the Course Sequence for the Academy?

Key Elements of Academy of Finance

Participate in internships
Opportunities to develop the transferable skills (analytical, technical, presentation, higher-order thinking, problem solving, and communication) that are paramount to college and career success
Receive academic advisement from community and business leaders
Opportunities to develop leadership, personal growth, and career development skills

Opportunities to earn college credit through AP courses and dual enrollment courses through the College of Southern Maryland
Learn business finance and management skills
Opportunities for students to compete for academic scholarships and awards
Gain access to valuable learning experiences through business trips, guest speakers, and leadership conferences.

What is the Course Sequence for the Academy?

Students who enroll in the Academy of Finance (AoF) have the flexibility to take a variety of academic and business courses. The AoF course sequence contains six courses: four required courses and two electives.

Required AoF courses are listed in the table below. While the first three courses of the AoF sequence are mandatory, students have a choice of coursework during senior year. In addition to completing four of the courses listed below, students are to select two electives from financial/management/economics coursework offered at SMCPS. CSM coursework may count for AoF courses through prior approval.

Grade 9	Grade 10	Grade 11	Grade 12
Principles of Finance/Applied Finance	Economics of Business	Principles of Accounting 1/Managerial Accounting	Financial Planning/Financial Services or AoF internship (summer after junior year)

For additional details, see the 2024-2025 Program of Studies for all AoF requirements.

Registration Information

Interested 8th graders should speak with their school counselor about joining AoF. There is no application required for joining AoF.

For more information about the AoF, please visit our break-out session at your child's Rising Freshman Orientation Night event.

Beginning with the rising freshman class in 2022-2023, AoF coursework will be offered at each of the three SMCPS high schools.

Students who enrolled in the AoF prior to the 22-23 SY will remain at CHS and complete their AoF programming as outlined in their graduating cohort's Program of Studies.

Academy Requirements

Recommended AP and Dual-Enrollment Courses
Maintain a 3.0 GPA in academy coursework to graduate with academic distinction

Registration Process

For more information please contact your school guidance counselor.

Students may join the AoF at any point in their high school journey provided they can complete all 6 required courses. Please see your cohort's Program of Studies to learn more about AoF coursework.

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