MONTICELLO, NY — Quick: Can you do your taxes on time?Make a budget?Stick to the budget?And what do you do when it changes, suddenly, horrible and expensive?
You would know how if you. . .
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MONTICELLO, NY — Quick: Can you do your taxes on time?Make a budget?Stick to the budget?And what do you do when it changes, suddenly, horrible and expensive?
You’d know if you attended the Finance Academy at Monticello High School.
“It’s a component of a national program, the National Academy of Finance,” said Sue Bahrenburg, director of the local program and CPA. “He’s been here [at Monticello High School] for over 20 years. The district sees the development of the program.
The Academy of Finance only teaches young people how to manage their money, also provides real-world mentors, and connects academics to the business world. These connections can replace their lives.
Other young people “learn the strength of networking,” Bahrenburg said, “get help with homework applications, college applications, and can have appointments after graduation. “
Financial control education is firmly rooted in the real world: students earn money through paid internships in the summer after their early years, with the variety of companies that have joined the program. Bahrenburg said, “The opportunity is there for expansion and local employers have been invaluable. “
These employers make up one of the companies, from Catskill Veterinary Services to Jeff Bank. It is a wonderful and paid work experience.
Students earn cash and follow up during the summer. “They are informed about monetary decision-making,” he said. “Kids say, ‘Everybody has to do this. ‘ These are real-life skills that they need to be informed about. “
Of course, there are obstacles. The adults in their lives have created behaviors and those behaviors are passed on; it can be difficult to unlearn them.
But no: “They don’t need to go down that road,” Bahrenburg said. “They build a deep relationship with money. They understand why they deserve to pay their credit card bills. They are told to save, not to spend. “
Not that it’s easy; life throws keys in the works. Some academics use their stored cash conscientiously to pay parents’ bills. Maybe a car breaks down. There may be a physical emergency. You pay for it and then start over boldly.
“It’s a trial,” he said. “How do you do it?”
What is evident is that she is proud of the graduates of the Academy of Finance. 98% of the participants of the program go on to university and all have learned the essentials.
“They can shine, they can help their community,” he said. I feel that when they leave here, they are ready. “