NEW HAVEN, CT — In what’s described as a “bold step to equip every high school student with the financial tools they need to succeed,” New Haven Public Schools announced Thursday the district-wide launch of a comprehensive personal finance education program—a full year ahead of Connecticut’s upcoming state mandate.
The announcement comes in partnership with Connecticut Financial Scholars. The nonprofit organization provides curriculum, teacher training, and enrichment programming to support high-quality financial education in schools across the state.
Local philanthropic and corporate partnerships, including a large three-year investment from Webster Bank, power CTFS.
An announcement and celebration will be held on Monday at 5:30 pm at the beginning of the NHPS Board of Education meeting, at King/Robinson Magnet School.
State Treasurer Erick Russell will join schools’ Superintendent Madeline Negrón and others to “recognize this historic commitment to student opportunity and community leadership,” a news release reads.
“This is personal to me,” New Haven native Russell is quoted as saying. “I’m thrilled to see my hometown leading the charge to guarantee every student learns the fundamentals of budgeting, saving, credit, and investing. Financial literacy pairs powerfully with our state’s CT Baby Bonds and CHET 529 college savings initiatives to give young people a stronger, more equitable economic start.”
According to the district, Connecticut Financial Scholars works with public schools to “ensure all students have access to engaging, practical financial education.”
CTFS trains educators, delivers standards-aligned curriculum, and enriches classroom learning with statewide student competitions, internship programs, and family-centered financial empowerment workshops. Its mission, the release reads, is to empower schools to be community hubs of financial education and opportunity, making financial knowledge a driver of economic mobility and generational wealth.
“This initiative is perfectly aligned with our district’s commitment to postsecondary preparedness and success for our students,” Negrón said. “By embedding high-quality financial education and opportunities into every high school, we are preparing our students not just for graduation—but for lifelong opportunity.”
The partnership makes New Haven the first large urban district in Connecticut to roll out personal finance instruction at scale, paving the way for other districts and setting a new standard for future-ready education, the release reads.
“CTFS applauds forward-thinking leaders like NHPS Math Supervisor Monica Joyner, who is driving the effort to expand and strengthen financial literacy education in New Haven,” CTFS executive director Nancy Kail said. “And who understands how critical it is to students’ financial well-being and success.”
