High Point recognized for financial literacy

WANTAGE — On Nov. 6, The Business Department at High Point Regional High School was officially recognized as a 2017-2018 Blue Star School for Financial Literacy by W!SE (Working in Support of Education) at the Citi Global Headquarters in New York City.
High Point is one of only seven schools in New Jersey and the only one in Sussex County to achieve this distinction. This honor is presented to the 258 schools nationwide whose students achieve a 80% passing rate on the Wise Financial Literacy Certification Test and have either a majority of students on a given grade level take the test or have the students who took it achieve an average score of 85 percent or higher.
In addition, Mrs. Melanie LiTrenta, a business teacher at High Point, was recognized as a Gold Star Teacher. To be considered for the Gold Star Teacher Award, a teacher must achieve a 93 percent pass rate in at least one of their classes on either the Fall 2017 or Spring 2018 W!SE Financial Literacy Certification Test.
In 2009, the New Jersey State Board of Education adopted the requirement that all high school graduates earn at least 2.5 credits in financial, economic, business, or entrepreneurial literacy. Through courses like Personal Finance, students are engaged in discussion and activities related to buying and leasing cars, finding a mortgage, credit card management, and personal banking. According to Mr. Dexter, “my students often tell me that Personal Finance is the most relevant course they take in high school.” Mrs. Litrenta added, “I have had students ask me if they could take Personal Finance again because they realize there is so much about life in that class.”
“The quality and relevance of the instructional program created by Mrs. LiTrenta and Mr. Dexter is unmatched. The impact and connection to their students, and the lifelong lessons they teach at such a formative age extend far beyond simply meeting this requirement”, notes Brian Drelick, High Point’s STEM Supervisor.
W!se is an educational non-profit dedicated to providing educational support services nationwide, building financial literacy, fostering business and social entrepreneurship, and preparing students for college and the global workplace.