Far from Manhattan's financial district, all eyes are on the markets. You could call it the Wall Street of Westlake Academy.
Jennifer Stockton's Economics Finance course is very popular.
“They actually get $100,000 to invest in a stock portfolio, and they invest based solely on the market,” said Stockton, a financial expert turned teacher.
Students learn about the stock market. The value of the money invested changes thanks to a computer system.
Just like the big brokerage firms, it can mess up a room. The students all burst into cheers or groans when their investments change in the market.
“Our stocks are not doing so well at the moment. They kind of just sank, like many others. Okay, I mean, otherwise our jobs are going well,” said Divya Patel, a student in the class. “It’s definitely stressful, but it’s okay. Just like deciding what to think, you can predict what you think will happen.”
And while some of it seems simplistic and game show-like, the lessons hit home.
Charles Cooper doesn't have a driver's license, but he has invested money.
“There is the S&P 500. Unfortunately there is no Dow Jones, although at this point I think that would be pretty good given the current market,” Cooper said.
From learning how to file taxes manually to planning for retirement, everything is covered here.
“They can deal with that. Now that they're young adults, they're driving, they're paying for gas, they're saving money for cars, they're looking toward their college future,” Stockton added.
A simulation to truly prepare these young adults for the twists and turns of life and how your money gets caught in the middle.
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