The Academy of Finance program better prepares students for the real world. The program teaches the importance of skills such as banking and credit. Photo Credit: JESSICA WEAVER
BY JESSICA WEAVER
Through Cooper City’s Academy of Finance program, students learn about business and finance in order to become financially successful in the future. In an economy where 70 percent of American consumers are in debt, learning about finance at a young age is extremely beneficial.
The Academy of Finance program at CCHS prepares students for the real world by teaching the importance of developing good financial habits such as maintaining credit and managing money. The Academy is a partnership between the National Academy Foundation, the local financial services industry, and the School Board of Broward County.
“Finance is a subject every adult will need to master or else they will face major consequences in the future,” CCHS business teacher and DECA advisor Brian Chalk said.
Students in the Academy of Finance program are required to take a series of business and finance related classes. The program begins with an introductory finance and business technology course, followed by financial operations, accounting applications, and personal financial planning. Students must also complete a financial internship upon graduating the Academy of Finance.
Over the years students in the Academy have learned the principles of banking and credit, methods of recording income and expenses, and the skills necessary for entry-level employment in the financial services industry. Over 2,000 students have graduated from the Academy of Finance in Broward County and of those, 90% enter college.
“The Academy classes are helping me learn a lot about the financial world and how to deal with things such as credit,” junior Marissa Cohen said. “I’ve learned more from these classes than many people learn in their whole life.”
Many schools across the county offer business classes. However, students often overlook such classes because of their lack of interest or fail to recognize their importance. School is one of the only places people have a chance to learn about finance in a formal setting. Those who don’t learn about finance in school are more likely to make financial mistakes once they enter the real world.
“Learning (about finance) by trial and error is tough,” Chalk said. “The error part can be extremely costly.”
In an era where economic problems are constantly occurring, it is important that younger generations learn how set themselves up for financial success.
“The best evidence of what happens when students don’t learn finance at a young age is the economic crisis today,” Chalk said.
