Free Youth Financial Education

Financial education is one of the most valuable—and most often missing—parts of a young person’s education. Pathway’s Youth Financial Empowerment Program equips high school students with the money skills, career insights, and decision-making confidence they need to build a stable future.

We’re currently piloting our full-semester curriculum with students at KIPP Legacy High School in Kansas City, delivering a dynamic blend of financial education, career exploration, and real-world application. As we continue to grow, we’re working to expand access across Kansas City and beyond, partnering with schools and organizations to bring financial empowerment to more youth, in more places.

A Semester of Financial Empowerment

Delivered over 18 weeks, our flexible curriculum is aligned with Missouri’s Personal Finance DESE standards and hosted on Blackboard for easy integration into classroom learning. The experience is engaging, youth-centered, and designed to help students apply what they learn in practical, personal ways.

The core 9-week curriculum introduces students to foundational financial concepts like budgeting, saving, banking, income, debt, credit, and financial decision-making. An optional 9-week secondary curriculum dives deeper into topics like entrepreneurship, living independently, buying a car, homeownership, and business planning.

Throughout the course, students engage with interactive content including review games, vocabulary flashcards, and applied projects. The semester culminates in a capstone project where students create a personalized financial plan for life after high school—whether they’re headed to college, a trade program, or directly into the workforce.

Career Exploration that Connects the Dots

Outside the classroom, our Career Exploration Days bring personal finance to life. Hosted monthly at Pathway’s Kansas City office, these half-day events give students the chance to meet professionals from a variety of industries, hear real career stories, and explore their own interests through CareerKey assessments.

The day ends with a hands-on budgeting simulation based on each student’s selected career path and projected salary, helping them understand how education, income, and lifestyle choices are all connected.

Summer Programs and Custom Learning Experiences

In addition to our school-year curriculum, Pathway offers flexible summer programming and stand-alone financial education sessions that can be delivered in partnership with youth-serving organizations. These programs are designed to meet students where they are, whether they’re learning in school, in the community, or during the summer months.

We’re excited to collaborate with schools, nonprofits, and community groups to expand access to financial and career education for high school youth. If you’re interested in hosting a workshop, offering our curriculum, or building a custom summer program, let’s talk.

Let’s Build a Brighter Future

Pathway’s Youth Financial Empowerment Program is more than just a class—it’s a chance for students to imagine what’s possible, take control of their financial futures, and enter adulthood with confidence.

If you’re a school leader, educator, or community partner looking to empower young people through financial education, we’d love to connect.