Westwood High School (WHS) educators have come up with an answer to a question students have long asked about math: “When am I ever going to use this?” The answer is now “every single day” thanks to a new Financial Literacy class which is now a graduation requirement at WHS.
Each member of the junior class must take the term-long class where topics range from the best type of savings account to choose, affording college, or buying a car.
“I was surprised at how interesting the class is,” said junior Kahlin Dempsey. “I thought it was going to be a little boring and uninteresting, but in the end, this is stuff I’ve never learned in any other class. And these are things it’s better to start learning now.”
Brianne Mehigan and Leah Cerce teach the class which is, by design, extremely interactive.
“Leah and I set up this course so that students do a lot of research,” said Mehigan. “It’s important for them to know this information as well as to know how to find the information. Later in life, they’re going to have to be able to do this type of research for themselves.”
The teachers have 30 sessions to impart these lessons. One class found students investigating four different types of savings accounts – traditional savings accounts, high-yield online savings accounts, money market accounts and certificates of deposit. Students were broken into 4 groups to do the research and then report back and make decisions on which accounts might be best for them.
“I like this class because it teaches us a lot about our future and how we need to save money,” said junior Ansh Sattiraju. “Saving money is one of the things I am most nervous about in my future because I never really understood how to save money and its value. I think it’s a very important thing that comes out of this class.”
The curriculum is partially shaped by a free, online resource available to teachers and students called Next Generation Personal Finance.
“We did another project about college and looked at how much that could cost with tuition and all the hidden things, even down to books and having a mini fridge in your dorm,” said Cerce. “The students did an interactive online activity, and the program kicked them out if they didn’t make the right decision for various reasons. A couple of kids asked for help and said it was hard and they didn’t know what to do. And that’s real life. I think they found it very eye-opening.”
Though this is the first year the class is required, WHS has previously offered a similar elective.
“When the math department initially developed a Financial Literacy elective, we were blown away by how many students enrolled in it,” said Principal Amy Davenport. “Students and families often tell us they need opportunities to encounter real-life problems. There was so much school committee, parent, and central office support when we proposed this requirement. Everyone said, ‘yes, this is exactly what kids should have.’”
“I’m very happy that Westwood offers this class,” said Sattiraju. “I think all schools should implement it because it’s a real-life skill and I am definitely glad Westwood is targeting those skills.”
WHS is considering adding an advanced Financial Literacy class for members of the senior class who want to learn even more.
