Transforming financial education through school partnerships

Kayla Fedish, Visions Federal Credit Union's academic relationship manager, stopped mid-stride and looked around the room in amazement. More than 40 teenagers were scattered across the conference space. Some were huddled over laptops researching roller coaster costs, others sketching marketing plans on whiteboards, one group debating employee wages and ticket prices.  

Half an hour into an "amusement park budgeting project," the students had forgotten they were learning about financial management. They were just having fun solving real business problems together.

Interactive learning addresses critical education gaps

That moment perfectly captures what makes the Visions Business Academy different from typical financial education programs. While 85% of high school students are interested in learning financial topics, and 83% of Americans believe financial literacy should be taught in schools, most students still receive limited financial education. Despite 29 states now requiring financial literacy courses, currently only 26.3% of U.S. public high school students are guaranteed to take a personal finance course.

Visions has chosen a different path. The New York-based credit union has embedded full-service branches within schools across three states, where they have full-time Financial Wellness Officers dedicated to K-12 education programs.

Beyond traditional teller training

"We started partnering with our local high schools more than 10 years ago," explained Fedish. "When it started out, we were there only a couple days per week, for a few hours each day, which allowed students to come work as a teller at these locations."

But Visions recognized they could make a much greater impact. Over the last five years, the credit union completely transformed its approach by hiring dedicated staff for the school partnerships, rather than sending branch representatives part-time.

"We decided that, if we're going to be here, let's take this idea beyond the teller experience," Fedish said.

Rather than simply providing financial services, Visions has positioned itself as an educational partner that supports entire school districts.

Onsite branches with educational mission

Unlike typical school banking programs, many of Visions' in-school locations, which they refer to as Financial Wellness Centers, function as complete branches that offer cash deposits, check processing, loan applications, and account services. However, their primary mission centers on financial education and professional development rather than transaction volume. The branches operate only for students, faculty, and staff of their host schools.

The credit union employs about 50 high school student interns who receive comprehensive training through a summer academy before the school year begins. These students staff the Financial Wellness Centers several days per week, with hours of operation that vary by school, while their Financial Wellness Officers focus on classroom presentations and visits to elementary and middle schools throughout their districts.

Creative teaching methods drive engagement

Visions' approach focuses on interactive, hands-on learning that makes financial concepts relevant to teenagers' lives. One standout example is Fedish's "credit mini golf" course, where each hole represents a life scenario and students' golf performance directly impacts their credit scores.

"Depending on whether you hit par, your score could remain the same. If you got a birdie, it would bump your score higher, and if you got a bogey, then your score would drop," Fedish explained. "It was something as simple as playing a game of mini golf that allowed these kids to understand how credit works."

The amusement park budgeting project that caught Fedish's attention demonstrates how creative activities can teach complex business concepts. Students receive imaginary budgets of $10 million to design their own theme parks, requiring them to consider marketing costs, employee wages, ticket pricing, and operational expenses.

"To see these kids collaborating together, researching, and while one's running over here to make copies, one's running over here saying, ‘We really need to market this through social media,’" Fedish recalled. "The pride they took in it and the effort they put in. Those moments are why I do what I do."

Measuring success through student development

Visions measures the Business Academy's effectiveness through student feedback surveys and observable behavior changes. The credit union specifically seeks students who could benefit from the entire experience rather than only high achievers.

The program emphasizes professional skills development alongside financial literacy. Students receive training in public speaking, interview techniques, social media best practices, and even professional headshots. Many develop confidence in face-to-face communication, which Fedish sees as particularly important in an increasingly digital world.

"I think during the Academy, when you're in a room full of people that support you and you're also in a professional setting, those kids walk out of there with a lot more confidence, understanding where they might want to see themselves in five to 10 years," she observed.

Community impact extends beyond students

The program's reach extends throughout entire school communities. Financial Wellness Officers support various school clubs, participate in fundraising activities, and provide financial literacy resources as needed.  

"You know you're making a difference when people are excited for the credit union people to be there. But they look at Visions as more than a credit union," Fedish said. "I think that's what makes me proud to do what I do."

The program also addresses a critical gap in American education. With most students relying on parents for financial knowledge, programs like the Visions Business Academy provide essential life skills education that many students wouldn't otherwise receive.

Most importantly, the program creates future members who understand credit unions' community-focused mission from an early age. Whether these students eventually join Visions or other financial institutions, they'll carry forward an appreciation of cooperative principles and community service.  

As Fedish put it: "Whether or not they become members, it's more about creating individuals in our community that are capable and knowledgeable about finances, and they're able to make decisions that positively impact them for the rest of their lives."