GILMER, Texas — Students at Gilmer High School are running their own bank to learn financial literacy thanks to a local partnership.
Gilmer High School is working with the Credit Union of Texas for this career pathway program. Students are able to open banking credit and savings accounts and even apply for a loan.
The best part is that students are dealing with real money. School officials hope this program will help students in the real world and learn skills that usually aren’t taught in a classroom.
The familiarity with being able to walk into a bank, write a check, make a deposit, make a withdrawal. a lot of kids just don’t do that,” said Gilmer ISD Superintendent Rick Albritton. “They watch their parents do that. But so that experience is more I guess you could say realistic because they’re walking into a true branch in the school.”
Students can earn money by working at the bank and by earning good grades. There will also be a $1,000 scholarship at the end of the semester awarded to some students who completed their 30 hours of volunteer service.
Read More: East Texas high schoolers run bank to learn value of money