Marlington financial literacy course teaches real-world money skills

Marlington High School offers a course in financial literacy using the Dave Ramsey Foundations in Personal Finance curriculum. The course, titled Financial Literacy, is taught by Sam El Faye. Support for the program comes from Best Choice Window Cleaning, owned by Ed and Linda Kuvlesky, Marlington High School graduates who operate the business in Florida.

“To all our MHS friends and family, we feel it is super important to sow seeds for the future leaders of our communities,” the Kuvleskys said in a statement. “We are happy to continue to support MHS as long as it is fruitful, well attended and well received. I am pleased with the turnout for the past five years.”

El Faye said students typically take the one-semester course during their freshman year, based on the belief that the earlier students are introduced to financial concepts, the better. Nearly 100 students enroll each semester. He said students and parents have responded positively to the program.

“During open house, when parents come to the school to talk to teachers and see where their child’s classes are, all I hear from parents is that they wish they would have had a class like this offered to them when they were in high school,” El Faye said. “Though many students initially feel that a class like personal finance is going to be dry and boring, they come to find that the Dave Ramsey curriculum is very student-friendly and makes learning fun.”

El Faye said he believes financial literacy is one of the most important courses a student can take in high school, calling it a potential life-changer when it comes to achieving financial peace. The Foundations in Personal Finance curriculum includes 13 chapters covering topics such as budgeting, saving, avoiding debt, investing, being a wise consumer, insurance, bargain shopping and compound interest.

The curriculum is designed to progress from foundational concepts to more complex topics and includes videos, interactive exercises and real-world activities intended to foster independence and critical thinking. It is available in print and digital formats, with the digital version offering streaming video lessons and teacher resources. The program is designed to meet state standards and is compatible with multiple education platforms.

Several students have shared feedback on their experience with the course. One student said, “The best time to start investing is five years ago. The second-best time is right now.”

Dave Ramsey is an American radio personality who provides financial advice. He co-hosts the nationally syndicated program “The Ramsey Show” and is the founder and CEO of Ramsey Solutions. Ramsey has written several books, including the New York Times bestseller “The Total Money Makeover,” and previously hosted a television show on Fox Business.