Huntington Students Master Real-World Money Management as District Rolls Out New Personal Finance Curriculum

When students walk across the graduation stage, their diplomas represent years of academic achievement in a wide variety of subject areas. Beginning this year, Huntington is ensuring every graduate leaves with another critical asset: the practical knowledge needed to manage their paychecks, navigate credit, assess and mitigate financial risk and build long-term financial security.

In response to the New York State Education Department’s requirement integrating personal finance instruction into grades 5–8 and 9–12 for the 2026-27 school year, Huntington has established a comprehensive program spanning middle and high school classrooms. Rather than treating financial literacy as an isolated requirement, the district has embedded these vital lessons into existing Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) coursework at J. Taylor Finley Middle School, required Economics classes at Huntington High School, and a brand-new AP Business offering. Curriculum alignment projects took place this summer with Board of Education approval. According to Secondary Social Studies Chair, Mr. Joseph Leavy, “A team of teachers from the Social Studies, Math and FACS departments collaborated on the expansive units on financial literacy which fit well with the Finley FACS coursework and the high school 12th grade economics classes.”

Building the Foundation at Finley Middle School

The financial literacy journey begins in the FACS classrooms at Finley Middle School, where young teens get their first hands-on look at how money works in everyday life. The curriculum focuses on demystifying common financial terms—like gross versus net income, fixed and variable expenses, and the difference between credit and debit cards—through interactive, real-world exercises.

Middle schoolers learn how to read realistic pay stubs to understand where tax withholdings go and why take-home pay differs from an hourly wage. They practice balancing checking account registers, filling out checks, comparing banks and credit unions, and analyzing credit card statements. To bring budgeting concepts to life, students tackle scenario-based projects, such as planning a vacation budget on a fixed income, while learning how to safeguard their personal information against identity theft and online fraud.

Advanced Financial Strategies at Huntington High School

At Huntington High School, financial literacy instruction shifts into high gear. Integrated across several weeks of all economics courses required for graduation, the high school curriculum guides upperclassmen through five core areas of modern money management:

Budgeting and Money Management: Students practice allocating financial resources to balance daily living expenses with long-term aspirations.

Credit and Debt Management: Classes explore how credit scores are calculated, how to build strong credit, and how to distinguish between manageable debt and financial traps. Students also weigh the value of a college education against potential student loan debt to make informed decisions about post-secondary options.

Earning Income and Human Capital: Lessons focus on personal career value, marketplace competition, strategies for expanding skills, and the civic obligations of paying taxes.

Risk Management: High schoolers examine strategies to protect their financial well-being, including auto, health, and renters’ insurance. The curriculum also addresses modern risks, specifically warning students about various financial dangers.

Saving and Investing: Students analyze why investing can build wealth more effectively than traditional savings accounts alone, learning how small, consistent contributions can grow exponentially over time through compound interest.

For students looking to dive deeper into economics and financial wisdom, Huntington High School has introduced AP Business with Personal Finance, an intensive course that covers NYSED requirements in detail while preparing students for advanced college-level business concepts. By connecting middle school foundations to complex high school decision-making, Huntington is ensuring our students step into adulthood ready to make smart, confident choices about their financial futures. Next year, NYSED requirements in personal finance will expand to the K-4 grade level band and curriculum writing is in the planning stages for this summer.

To learn more about New York State's financial literacy initiative, visit the NYSED Personal Finance Education Resource Page.