Market-Ready at Lakefield College School: Inside the Business Program

At Lakefield College School, we believe business education should be as dynamic as the global market itself. Our approach goes beyond the balance sheet, focusing on real-world relevance and global awareness. Here, students don’t just study business, they test ideas, wrestle with real decisions, and practice leadership in meaningful ways, developing the many skills needed to navigate a complex world with purpose.

The journey toward a solid foundation for university studies in business begins with our new Advanced Placement Business and Personal Finance course. Designed as a first chapter in our business curriculum, this course provides the analytical backbone for everything that follows. Students bridge the gap between corporate strategy and personal financial literacy, learning about the analytical tools needed to navigate the modern economy. Through a hands-on, case-study approach, students apply theory to real scenarios and make informed decisions grounded in data. They tackle two defining performance tasks: The Business Model Canvas, a deep dive into entrepreneurial strategy, and a Comprehensive Financial Plan for independent life. By combining mathematical logic with actionable business plans, Grade 11 and 12 students gain the financial savvy and independence required to thrive long after they leave Lakefield, whether pursuing commerce, entrepreneurship, STEM, or other disciplines at university.

Building on that technical foundation, our International Business course expands our students' horizons, examining real global markets, trade systems, and cultural contexts through contemporary case studies. Here, theory meets reality as students dive into the complexities of globalisation, exploring how culture, politics, and supply chains collide to shape international trade and influence communities around the world. This is where students transition from understanding "how" a business works to "where" it can go. The course is taught through case-study analysis and emphasises high-level discourse, specifically through Harkness discussions, our seminar-style approach, in which students practice collaborative, strategic thinking at an advanced level. The course culminates in a signature International Expansion Pitch, in which students develop a comprehensive business plan for a real-world company entering a new foreign market. By navigating the friction of international trade through real-world scenarios, students develop the strategic agility and global literacy needed to thrive as purposeful leaders in a rapidly changing, borderless world.

Complementing the classroom experiences is our involvement with DECA, a program that has served Lakefield students for nearly a decade as both a competitive training ground and an experiential extension of classroom learning, connecting LCS students with peers, mentors, and business leaders beyond our campus. This is where the classroom meets the competitive stage, as students transition from weekly Chapter meetings, where they rigorously explore complex case studies and practice exams, to provincial and international competition. By joining a massive global network of over 300,000 peers, LCS students gain an immediate professional edge while building confidence through collaboration and real competition, and establish lasting connections with industry mentors and alumni that extend far beyond graduation. Ultimately, DECA is more than a competition; it is a launchpad that fosters the networking, mentorship, and real-world experience essential for future career success.

At the heart of our business program is the belief that communication — the ability to articulate ideas, challenge assumptions, and collaborate toward solutions — shapes effective and ethical leadership. By prioritising realistic simulations, purposeful pitching, and hands-on case studies, our students develop the poise to think on their feet and the professionalism to manage pressure with ease. Together, our business courses and DECA program offer a future-focused education that equips students to participate in the business world with insight, creativity, and confidence. Through vocal leadership and strategic thinking, our students graduate prepared to lead with purpose and poised to care, connect, and contribute.