Business & Computer Applications Department Prepares Students for Success Beyond UHS

Unionville High School (UHS) students are poised to excel in college and career thanks to a powerhouse Business & Computer Applications Department. That foundation will grow even stronger after team members Joe Kilpatrick, Zach Lawrence, Pat Sheehan, and Jack Starkey completed their 2025-26 curriculum review. 

If you ask UHS Teacher Jack Starkey what he’s most passionate about, it’s the chance for students to gain hands-on experience in the school’s new Cooperative Education Program. “This is a great opportunity for our students, especially those who will go on to higher education,” he began. “It’s tough to ask a 17- or 18-year-old to choose what they want to get training for and, if you know what tuition costs, you understand the stakes. It’s important for them to make the right decision and they won’t know until they try.” 

Beginning next year, students who work 10 or more hours per week in a paid or unpaid internship can earn two credits. Starkey says he now welcomes partnership from local organizations as he looks to pair Longhorns with the widest range of opportunities possible. 

Pennsylvania is also preparing to make personal finance a graduation requirement. Here, UHS is already ahead of the curve. “Introduction to Personal Finance is an extremely popular optional course,” reflected Starkey. The school will continue to offer the semesterlong course for 9th-12th graders who wish to learn the fundamentals, including income, spending, saving, investing, risk, insurance, and credit. 

For those who seek a deeper dive, 10th-12th graders can choose to enroll in the new AP Business with Personal Finance. A part of AP Career Kickstart program, this yearlong course will allow students to fulfill their graduation requirement, too, and gain a competitive advantage in the most popular college major in the U.S. A new AP Cybersecurity course will also be added to the catalog. 

In addition to the specialized knowledge students gain, UHS has a track record of preparing students for success in their AP tests. In 2024-25, 92% of UHS students scored a 3 or higher, many earning critical college credits. 

The Unionville High School 2026-27 Course Selection Guide will be available next month and Cooperative Education, Introduction to Personal Finance, AP Business with Personal Finance and AP Cybersecurity will all be available for students to select. 

While these updates mark a significant milestone, they represent just one piece of a broader district commitment to college and career readiness. The UCFSD community can expect to see more that bridges the gap between superior school experience and professional success. 

"As a district we are committed to making sure all our students have a career path once they leave Unionville High School,” said UCFSD Director of Curriculum & Instruction Amy Jenkins. “We view our students as future leaders; by investing in their professional readiness today, we are ensuring a vibrant and prosperous future for everyone."

About the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District

The Unionville-Chadds Ford School District is a high-performing public school system serving approximately 4,000 students in southern Chester County, Pennsylvania. The District consists of four elementary schools, one middle school and Unionville High School, consistently ranked among the top public schools in Pennsylvania.