Charles County Schools Add Online Financial Training to Curriculum


EverFi uses 3D gaming and other interactive tools to teach students financial literacy.

Charles County Public Schools has adopted an online program designed to teach high school students financial literacy. The Maryland district is using the EverFi Financial Literacy Platform for High Schools, which integrates 3D gaming, social networking, online animations, video, and messaging tools to educate students in complex financial concepts.

The 10-unit course offers six hours of programming aimed at teaching, assessing, and certifying students in topics that include credit scores, insurance, credit cards, student loans, mortgages, taxes, stocks, savings, and 401(k)s. The system tracks the progress and score of each student and provides those who complete the course with a certification in financial literacy.

"EverFi is a unique way for me to connect with students on a variety of subjects," said Debra Davis, a teacher at North Point High School. "The students enrolled in the program ask better questions and engage in conversations that may not take place without EverFi. I have found that this supports objectives, assessments, and instruction in a positive manner."

Added student Ebony Poe, "I really like EverFi. I learned about different types of banks and student loans. I also learned the difference between a credit card and debit card. My favorite section was savings. I really learned a lot about savings and all that goes along with saving like needs and wants and how to budget my money. EverFi helped me learn things that my parents didn't learn until they were grown and on their own."

The program is being sponsored by local banking system Community Bank of Tri-County, which is supplying the curriculum to the schools at no cost.

"One of the best things that we can do for the upcoming generation is to help educate children about the importance of making wise financial decisions," said Jim DiMisa, the chief operation officer for the bank.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • Abstract AI circuit board pattern

    Nonprofit LawZero to Work Toward Safer, Truthful AI

    Turing Award-winning AI researcher Yoshua Bengio has launched LawZero, a nonprofit aimed at developing AI systems that prioritize safety and truthfulness over autonomy.

  • abstract pattern of cybersecurity, ai and cloud imagery

    Report Identifies Malicious Use of AI in Cloud-Based Cyber Threats

    A recent report from OpenAI identifies the misuse of artificial intelligence in cybercrime, social engineering, and influence operations, particularly those targeting or operating through cloud infrastructure. In "Disrupting Malicious Uses of AI: June 2025," the company outlines how threat actors are weaponizing large language models for malicious ends — and how OpenAI is pushing back.

  • tutor and student working together at a laptop

    You've Paid for Tutoring. Here's How to Make Sure It Works.

    As districts and states nationwide invest in tutoring, it remains one of the best tools in our educational toolkit, yielding positive impacts on student learning at scale. But to maximize return on investment, both financially and academically, we must focus on improving implementation.

  • red brick school building with a large yellow "AI" sign above its main entrance

    New National Academy for AI Instruction to Provide Free AI Training for Educators

    In an effort to "transform how artificial intelligence is taught and integrated into classrooms across the United States," the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), in partnership with Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic, and the United Federation of Teachers, is launching the National Academy for AI Instruction, a $23 million initiative that will provide access to free AI training and curriculum for all AFT members, beginning with K-12 educators.