Around 150 students from Alexandria City High School participated in a financial literacy workshop at the Minnie Howard campus on Monday (April 21). Wells Fargo and the Society for Financial Education and Professional Development, Inc. (SFEPD) organized the event as part of the Hands on Banking Initiative.
Students received personalized financial profiles and had to manage expenses within a set budget.
“I learned how to manage a budget better; it’s easier with the amazing volunteers helping out and showing what the process is like in everyday life,” said Cole Austin, senior at Alexandria City High School. “This will help me manage my time and money, especially when I get a job.”
Through this initiative, participants learned:
• Enhance their financial literacy by developing a deeper understanding of budgeting, saving, and responsible spending.
• Gain practical insights into everyday financial obligations and decision-making.
• Improve financial behaviors, as demonstrated through measurable progress in pre- and post-program assessments.
“On behalf of Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS), I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Wells Fargo for their generous support of our Economics and Personal Finance program. This critical course equips every ACPS student with the knowledge and tools needed to become financially responsible citizens, wise consumers and thoughtful investors. Thanks to partners like Wells Fargo, we are able to further enrich our students’ learning experiences and prepare them for success in an increasingly complex global economy,” said ACPS Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt.
Wells Fargo team members were on hand to coach students and answer questions during the session.
Dr. Tricia Jacobs, Director of Career and Technical Education and Workforce Development, pointed out that the economic and personal finance course is a graduation requirement.
“It’s important to understand that the economic and personal finance course is a general assembly required course for graduation. Students currently in the 11th and 12th grades who are enrolled in this course are learning economic and financial literacy, and much of the course involves hands-on learning. Today’s event provided them another example of project-based learning and a real-life situation,” said Director Jacobs.
The Wells Fargo Foundation donated $50,000 to SFEPD, with $30,000 going to Alexandria City High School, H.D. Woodson STEM High School, and Fairmount Height High School.
Source: alxnow.com
