By Julian Rothman
As of September 2025, a new elective class called Financial Literacy has been up and running. Taught by Mr. DiBenedetto, this class teaches high schoolers how to properly manage their bank accounts and savings to help them avoid the pitfall of irresponsible spending among other financial issues. For years, the near total lack of financial education in public schooling has been the butt of many jokes in online spaces, with students lambasting schools for teaching “useless” information while neglecting to teach students more practical skills, such as proper saving and how to file taxes. However, how much of an impact will this really have? Do students even care? Find out now with the personal testimony of two IHS students.
Many students are happy and feel like this class will be relevant and practical as opposed to other subjects that are often seen as pointless. We can see how optimistic the student population is regarding how this class will positively affect those who take it once they reach adulthood.
“I think it will have a positive impact, I think that when kids are grown up and look back at school they wish they actually learned important things like how to save and invest in the stock market” said senior Declan Lyons. This optimistic consensus was shared by 10th grader Kostas Perselis who himself is taking the class: “It will make me smarter with my financial decisions and help me with college applications”.
Many students who have either heard of or are actively taking the class draw comparisons to the middle school Home Economics class taught by Mr. Mancini. Specifically, the unit that was taught on banking and how to write a check: “If this class is anything like Mr. Mancini’s Home Ec. class, then I’m sure this will be a great and effective course.” said Sophomore Henry Mcfeetors.
The general consensus amongst students is one of positivity and support surrounding this new class, and people believe that it will give students new opportunities and useful practical knowledge. At the end of the day, if this class is worth taking or just another time-wasting elective, that’s for you to decide.
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