Freshmen through seniors at Downers Grove South High School can now earn AP credit in business, a first for the school.

The new AP Business with Personal Finance course launched this school year at DGS, taught by Patrick Fardy, the school's career and technical education department chair. It is the only AP class at the school open to all four grade levels.

"The goal is to see how different business activities can culminate into the creation of actual business ideas," Fardy told the South Blueprint, the school's student newspaper.

The course covers entrepreneurship, marketing, management, finance, accounting and personal finance. It is part of a new AP offering from the College Board, which launched the course nationally in the 2026-27 school year. Students who complete the course are eligible to earn college credit and an employer-endorsed credential, according to a College Board partnership announcement. The curriculum is aligned with national personal finance standards created by the Council for Economic Education and the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy.

Fardy said his own interest in business started when he took business classes in high school. He said he hopes the course sparks a similar interest for his students and leads some to pursue business education further.

Emma Hickmann, a DGS junior and DECA member who previously took Intro to Business, said the class has exceeded her expectations. She told the South Blueprint she was excited when a spot opened up.

"Since I am in DECA, I think this new class will help me not only in school but also in my activities outside of school," Hickmann said.

The course arrives as DGS students are already competing at a high level in business. At the Illinois DECA Career Development Conference during the 2025-26 school year, DGS students Neha Higa and Saara Raheja placed third in Buying and Merchandising and qualified for nationals, according to a District 99 announcement. Arden Gajula finished fourth in Principles of Business Management and Administration, also earning a national qualifier spot.

Other AP courses at DGS require prerequisite classes or restrict enrollment to upperclassmen. Fardy's class breaks that pattern. A freshman can sit alongside a senior in the same section, working through case studies and projects aimed at building real business plans.

Students who complete the course and score well on the AP exam can use the credit at colleges that accept it.