Participating middle school students in district 18 have demonstrated 80% mastery and 30% growth in financial literacy standards and objectives.
BROOKLYN, NY – In a major stride towards equitable financial education, the Goalsetter Foundation has announced preliminary results of its partnership with New York City Public Schools and Brooklyn Community School District 18 (D18). With seven schools and more than 500 participating students, the pilot program launched in January 2024 and revealed outstanding success metrics, with students demonstrating 80% mastery and 30% growth in their financial literacy acumen.
This collaborative effort, made possible by a $250,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation, introduced Goalsetter Foundation’s innovative, in-school financial literacy classroom curriculum and professional development to educators and students in Canarsie and East Flatbush throughout seven participating schools – including 18K066, 18K068 Isaac Bildersee, 18K366 The Science and Medicine Middle School, 18K961 Lenox Academy, 18K763 Brooklyn Science and Engineering Academy, 18K588 Middle School For Art and Philosophy, 18K285 Meyer Levin.
“We need institutions to support innovative financial literacy education tools and Wells Fargo stepped up to help us expand to more students,” said Goalsetter CEO Tanya Van Court. “This collaboration is more than a program; it’s a commitment to empowering our future leaders with the financial literacy skills they need, presented in a way that speaks directly to their digital-first approach.”
“Bringing financial literacy education directly to the classroom is foundational to addressing economic inequality and creating pathways to economic mobility for students,” said Krissy Moore, Senior Vice President, Community Relations for the Northeast Region at Wells Fargo. “Teaching financial literacy education and skills early will empower young students to build and maintain wealth. This pilot program for Brooklyn District 18 addresses these critical needs, and the Wells Fargo Foundation is thrilled to support the Goalsetter Foundation and NYC Public Schools in this work.”
“Our district’s mission is to expose scholars to enriching learning experiences that prepare them for college, career, and beyond,” shared Community School District 18 Superintendent, Celeste Terry. “Our partnership with Goalsetter, supported by the Wells Fargo Foundation allows us to meet one of our goals of ensuring scholars are financially literate and have the real life skills to be successful and productive members of society.”
A community event to celebrate the results and engage parents and students with the program took on place Tuesday, June 4th at 18K285 Meyer Levin Middle School, 5909 Beverley Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11203. Wells Fargo volunteers were also on hand to provide in-person financial education through their Hands on Banking program.
About Goalsetter Foundation: Established in 2020, the Goalsetter Foundation is a 501(c)(3) which collaborates with schools, community organizations, and corporate partners to deliver essential financial education to children, teens, and adults. Using engaging, culturally relevant curriculum and activities, we empower individuals to become savvy savers, smart spenders, and mindful consumers. Through generous funding from entities such as Nike, Deutsche Bank, American Express, Wells Fargo, the NYSE, and others, we ensure equitable access to quality financial education in underserved communities like Detroit, Atlanta, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Brooklyn, and beyond.
About Brooklyn Community School District 18: Community School District 18 represents 21 public schools, comprised of 11 elementary schools; 9 middle/intermediate/junior high schools; and 1 K-8 school. The district serves students from culturally diverse backgrounds, in grades 3k-8 that are geographically located in the Canarsie/East Flatbush communities of the borough of Brooklyn, New York, which is home to many new immigrants from Haiti and the Caribbean. The district’s mission is to maximize students’ potential, innate talents and personal growth to give rise to success in school, work, and beyond. We ensure that each student has access to relevant, rigorous, and respectful educational experiences in every classroom and in all schools.
