Costa Mesa Students Spend School Year Learning a Skill They'll Use for Life

For most high school students, daily classes focus squarely on preparing for college, hitting graduation requirements, and figuring out a future career. But one critical question often goes unanswered: How do you actually manage your money once you're out on your own?

That is exactly what 100 students at Costa Mesa High School spent the past school year figuring out through Nuvision Credit Union’s How Money Works financial literacy program.

Now wrapping up its second successful year, the program brings practical, real-world money lessons to students from freshmen to seniors. Since launching two years ago, more than 225 students have taken the course.

Partnering with HowMoneyWorks.com, students met monthly from September through May to dive into the exact topics most adults wish they had been taught much earlier—things like budgeting, saving, understanding credit, investing, navigating college costs, and making smart financial choices.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

While the core focus was personal finance, many students found that the lessons hit on much more than just dollars and cents.

Discussions about daily spending habits naturally evolved into conversations about personal responsibility. Lessons on investing pushed students to think seriously about their long-term life goals. Even simple budgeting exercises helped them see how everyday choices can directly impact their future opportunities.

For graduating senior Ernest, one specific concept stuck with him.

"The classes showed me that money is a skill—the more you learn, the better you get," he said. "It's a mindset that will help me in the future."

Another graduating senior, Valerie, noted that her biggest takeaway was learning how much your social circle matters. She realized the true value of surrounding herself with financially responsible, goal-oriented people.

These reflections highlight the core mission of the program: giving young people the confidence to make solid, independent financial decisions before they ever step foot into adulthood.

Celebrating Student Achievement

The program wrapped up in May with a celebration to recognize the students' hard work and commitment throughout the school year.

Five graduating seniors were awarded scholarships of up to $1,000 after submitting video reflections detailing how the course changed their financial habits, future plans, and personal goals. Additionally, fourteen seniors earned Nuvision Certificates of Completion, while every participating student received a certificate recognizing their dedication to financial literacy.

For many of these students, the celebration was the perfect finish to nine months of real personal growth.

Bringing Financial Education to Life

The course was led by financial educator Lester Baron and the How Money Works team, with plenty of hands-on support from Nuvision employee volunteers who helped students connect abstract financial concepts to everyday life.

"It’s a pleasure partnering with Nuvision to bring this important series of financial literacy classes to students," said Baron. "Through this program, we were able to teach students the essential skills that will be vital in helping them build a solid financial foundation now and in the future."

Teachers at Costa Mesa High School noticed a clear shift in their classrooms as the year went on.

Tim Postiff, the AVID Program Coordinator, called the class a total game-changer. "The Nuvision team's financial knowledge and ability to connect with young people on a personal level allowed our students to walk away with individual financial goals and the confidence to see those goals become reality," he said.

Hunter MacDonald, a history teacher and Social Science Co-Department Chair, noticed how quickly the material clicked. "The students were excited and engaged from start to finish and immediately began applying what they learned. The program created a community that helps young people understand how to make money work to their advantage."

Math and AVID teacher Heather Orduña pointed out that financial topics can often feel distant to teenagers. "It is typically an idea that seems so far away to them," she said. "But with this class, students were actively engaging and being reflective and thoughtful about how they will save, invest, and spend their money in the future."

World History Teacher Timothy Richards agreed, adding that the interactive structure kept students genuinely looking forward to attending every month.

Building Stronger Financial Futures

Financial literacy is a massive part of Nuvision’s commitment to the communities it serves. By reaching students before they face major, high-stakes financial decisions, these programs leave a lasting impact that stretches long past graduation.

"Financial literacy is central to Nuvision's mission, and we're proud to partner with How Money Works to bring these important lessons to students in our communities," said Nuvision CEO Roger Ballard. "The positive feedback from students demonstrates the value of helping young people learn how to budget, save, build credit, invest, and make informed decisions for a stronger financial future."

As high schools look to expand financial education, partnerships between teachers, community organizations, and local financial institutions are proving to be the best way to give teenagers the tools they need to succeed.

For the students who wrapped up the course this year, those monthly lessons are already paying massive dividends—not just in cash, but in the confidence and knowledge required to make smart financial decisions for years to come.