Students Gain Real‑World Skills Through School Business Club

Valley High’s business club, DECA, is transforming ordinary classes into hands‑on, real‑world training. In its third year, the club has expanded rapidly under the guidance of teacher Nick DeFrancesco.

How It Works

• Students meet after school—sometimes more often—to practice role‑plays and case studies that mirror real business challenges.
• Competitions test knowledge through exams, role‑plays, and case studies, giving participants a taste of professional life.
• The focus isn’t just on careers; DECA also boosts personal finance knowledge, teaching budgeting and real‑world financial decisions.

Meet the Students

Each student brings a unique perspective, yet all benefit from the club’s emphasis on deeper questioning and effective communication.

Impact

• Personal Growth: Students report new friendships, confidence boosts, and a clearer sense of future opportunities.
• Skill Development: Beyond career prep, DECA teaches budgeting and decision‑making skills—areas many teens lack.
• Competitive Edge: “Seeing how other schools compete, even with different budgets, shows we can stand out,” notes DeFrancesco.

When students return each year excited about what they’ve learned, it signals the program’s success and its lasting impact on their futures.