Economics and personal finance; it’s a required course to graduate, and for good reason. The class introduces students to the concept of taxes, investment, budgeting and other essential financial knowledge that helps prepare them for taking on the responsibilities of adulthood. However, as a school that prides itself on creating successful, self-reliant students, there are so few accelerated classes catered toward the entrepreneurial spirit.
Now you may be thinking, how do we address this deficit? Sure, we offer AP courses for dedicated students, but they’re more so catered toward general academics than business or financial literacy. Well, the College Board just so happens to be launching a new course for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year: AP Business with Personal Finance.
This new course not only covers personal finance, but the fundamentals of business as well: entrepreneurship, marketing, management and business strategy to name a few. These skills are not only for those interested in business, though; they are incredibly valuable for all students, regardless of career path. Management can translate to peer mediation, marketing to consumer behavior and design; the applications are nearly endless.
As explained by the University of Applied Sciences Europe, “In a world where business is increasingly global and fast-paced, having a solid business education is more important than ever. It equips you with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to stand out, adapt, and thrive—whether you’re leading teams, launching start-ups, or shaping the future of international markets.”
If our school implements this course in their curriculum, this would not simply fill a gap in the course catalog; it would create a space where students that are more entrepreneurially inclined can feel seen and supported. Starting a business can be quite difficult, especially for young people that may not have much support. A class dedicated to managing finances and starting and developing a business would help meet this need.
