MBS has 17 different Career Tech course offerings for its secondary students.

Thursday, February 23, 2023 – In the state of Alabama, February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month. This is a month to recognize and inspire every young person to do their very best in school now, to ensure a lifetime of success in the future. In Mountain Brook Schools, various courses are offered at the secondary level which allow students to learn about different fields and lines of work.

“Career Tech Month is special to our school system because we have teachers who specialize in areas outside of the traditional classes like Science, English, Math and History,” MBS Director of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Missy Brooks. “We value each area of our students' learning and are fortunate to be able to offer a plethora of opportunities for our students to learn about careers and paths in which they may be interested.”

The following courses are offered to Mountain Brook High School students:

Accounting: In Part One of the course, the students learn the accounting procedures particular to a sole-proprietorship service business and in Part Two learn the procedures for a merchandising business structured as a corporation. Students start by learning the accounting equation, chart accounts, and basic transactions related to each type of business. Then, students go into the different types of journals and what transactions are recorded in each, payroll and payroll taxes for the corporation, preparing, adjusting, and closing entries and finally preparing various financial statements. 

Finance: Personal Finance introduces students to the principles of financial literacy for achieving personal goals. This course is designed to inform students about how the choices they make directly influence their occupational goals, future earning potential, and long-term financial well-being. Content covered in this course includes checking and savings, credit, insurance, investing, behavioral finance, goal setting, paycheck and taxes, and budgeting. At the conclusion of this course, the students take the Wise Financial Literacy Certification Exam.

Students in the course also participate in the AL Stock Market Game, which is a 10-week stock market simulation in which the students compete with other schools across the state to grow an investment portfolio.

Business Software Applications I: Business Software Applications I is a course designed to assist students in developing technological proficiencies in word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentation, communications, Internet use, ethics, and careers using technology applications. Simulations and projects promoting teamwork, leadership, and workplace skills offer further opportunities for application of knowledge and skills. Students have the opportunity to take the Microsoft Office Specialist Certification exam in both Word and PowerPoint and earn a credential. 

Business Software Applications II: Business Software II is a course that provides students with project-based applications of concepts learned in Business Software Applications or Business Essentials. Personal computing and business skills are integrated throughout the course as students use a variety of software applications to produce and prepare documents for publication and learn how to select appropriate software for generating information. A major emphasis is placed on guiding students through real-world experiences to aid in the school-to-career transition. Students have the opportunity to take the Microsoft Office Specialist Certification exam in Excel and earn a credential. Students also participate in a simulated interview experience. 

Leadership Mountain Brook - Leadership Mountain Brook is a course designed to provide students with the skills needed to effectively organize, develop, create, and present a project proposal based on the needs of the Mountain Brook community. Through a partnership between MBHS, Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Mountain Brook, this program fosters the development of leadership skills, critical thinking, integration of technology, and application of knowledge and skills related to practical questions and problems. Topics covered include collaborative leadership, business management and entrepreneurship, communication and interpersonal skills, economics, and professional development foundations. 

Leadership Mountain Brook students will complete the following study/skill development units: Foundations of Leadership, Effective Teamwork, City Government, Business Plan Development, Finance, Legal Implications, Marketing, Career Opportunities, and E-Business. 

Work-Based Learning: This course provides students with the opportunity to explore a career area while earning school credit. The goal of this program is to expose students to career opportunities, increase knowledge about the world of work, and to assist students in making decisions about the future. Students in this course leave campus to complete an internship in the community.

Foundations of Business Leadership: This course covers the basic concepts of management, marketing, entrepreneurship, and leadership styles as well as the characteristics, organization, and operation of business as a major sector of the economy. The course is designed to emphasize principles of sound business management and analysis of business practices to determine ethical and social responsibilities.

Equine Science: This class enables students to become knowledgeable in the areas of caring for and managing horses. Equine health, nutrition, and safety are major instructional areas. Students learn about tools, tack, and facilities necessary for the proper care of horses and the facilities.

INCubatoredu (Entrepreneurship): This program offers students an authentic entrepreneurship experience. Throughout the program, students ideate, develop, and iterate their own product or service startup in an attempt to gain investment funds in a final shark-tank-style pitch event. Real entrepreneurs and business experts serve as volunteer coaches and mentors, guiding student teams through the processes of developing hypotheses about a business concept, testing those hypotheses, adapting, and continually learning and improving. Whether a student’s passion is in business, art, engineering, or music, INCubatoredu has something to offer all students.

Introduction to Law and the American Legal System (Semester): Law and the American Legal System is designed to acquaint students with the basic legal principles common to business and personal activities. This course is an overview of criminal, civil, contract, and consumer law. Emphasis is placed on business law as it affects young adults with a focus on the legal rights and responsibilities of students as citizens, consumers, employees, and employers. This course offers an exploration of law as a career, as well as a mock trial simulation.

iLearn (Year): iLearn is a course designed to promote collaboration between MBHS students and Mountain Brook elementary schools.  This course provides an opportunity for high school students to assist in an elementary school on a daily basis.  In assisting an elementary teacher, students will have an opportunity to: work directly with elementary students, gain insight into elementary education, lead engaging learning experiences, and build relationships in the school community.  

Science Research (Year): Science Research is a class in which approved students will locate a research scientist at UAB for a yearlong internship. The student will have the opportunity to learn about the specific research project and will be actively involved in the work under the supervision of the scientist.

Digital Marketing (Semester): Digital Marketing introduces students to digital marketing techniques, tools, and methods, including email, websites, applications, social media, and other electronic means. This course focuses on how to develop and conduct digital marketing campaigns. Emphasis is placed on creating, implementing, and critiquing online advertising, email marketing, websites, social media, mobile marketing, search engine optimization, video and images, podcasts, webcasts, and creating and repurposing content for use in digital environments.

The following courses are offered at Mountain Brook Junior High:

PLTW (Project Lead The Way) Design and Modeling: Students learn the Design Process by engaging in a series of Design Challenges that are intended to challenge students' thinking and creative problem-solving skills. Students work in Design Teams and engage in problem/project-based learning.

App Creators: Students learn the ins and outs of what it takes to create an app.  They learn about designing User Interfaces for a wide range of audiences, thinking about color, font size, placement of elements, and ease of use. They also learn the basics of coding and what goes into an app so that it functions properly for the use it was designed for. The class is project-based, so students have a finished product while learning how an app works.

Computer Science for Innovators and Makers:  Students learn about physical computing and the IOT of a lot of devices that they use on a daily basis. Students learn to program microcontrollers that work with motion sensors, light sensors, accelerometers, and other digital sensors that are in everyday items.  Projects are based on things that students commonly interact with, like security systems, automated lights and dispensers, electronic games, and Bluetooth.

Robotics: Students are introduced to the world of engineering and programming through hands-on learning with robots. This course provides students with the opportunity to explore the fundamental concepts of robotics, including construction, design, and programming. Students learn how to build robots using a variety of materials and sensors. They also learn how to program their robots using block-based coding and explore the principles of physics, mechanics, and electronics. Robotics is designed to be collaborative, with students working in teams to design, build, and test their robots.

Below is a video from MBHS senior, Zach Touger, to further explain Career Tech month: