Let’s be honest—how many of us learned about taxes, paychecks, or credit cards after we were already knee-deep in mistakes? 🙋♀️🙋♂️ It’s one of those things we wish high schools had taught us.
That’s why at Atlas Montessori High School, we’re not waiting until "real life" hits. We're making sure financial literacy is part of how we prepare teens for adulthood—before they sign their first lease, swipe their first credit card, or cash their first paycheck.
Here’s a peek at what we think every teen should know before graduation:
💵 Reading a Paycheck and Filing Taxes
When students get their first paycheck, we want them to know why it’s less than they expected (hello, taxes!)—and how to fill out forms like the W-4 properly. We'll even practice simple tax filing so April 15th isn’t a total mystery.
💳 Credit Cards: Friend and Foe
Credit card companies love targeting young adults. We’re teaching students how credit cards work, how interest can sneak up on you, and why paying just the minimum can trap you in debt. (Plus, how to start building good credit early!)
🏠 Renting Basics
Before they sign their first lease, teens should know how rental applications work, what landlords are looking for, and what’s hiding in the fine print of a rental agreement.
🏦 Why Starting a 401(k) Young is a Superpower
Saving for retirement sounds ridiculous when you’re 18, right? But a little saving now can mean huge freedom later. We’ll show them the magic of compound interest and why starting early is one of the smartest financial moves they can make.
Why It Matters
Giving teens these skills now helps them avoid common financial pitfalls—and gives them confidence to handle real-world adulting.
Whether they're heading off to college, starting work, or launching something completely their own, they'll have the financial basics that so many of us had to learn the hard way.
We’re not just preparing students for the next test—we’re preparing them for life.
Would you have loved learning this stuff when you were 17? (We sure would have.)
Let’s make sure the next generation has a smoother path. 🌟
#AtlasMontessori #FinancialLiteracy #LifeSkills
