Finance Classes for High School Students in Los Angeles

Financial literacy is a must-have skill set for every person. Several topics exist within financial literacy: how to open a bank account, how to pay bills on time, creating and maintaining a budget, how credit works, how to improve your credit score, tips for using debt responsibly, how to save for retirement, and how to compare financial products like credit cards and investments.

Over 60% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, so, being firmly in control of your finances can help you improve your economic status. Financial literacy can allow you to have an emergency savings account, use credit to your advantage, master budgeting, and experience the freedom that comes from financial stability.

Why High School Students Should Learn Finance

Learning finance at a young age can set you up for success. Seven states (and counting) have implemented financial literacy requirements in school, and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Foundation found that students with higher financial literacy were less likely to have late fees, make only minimum payments on their credit cards, and take out payday loans. Georgia, Idaho, and Texas were three states that implemented mandatory financial education, and three years later, they saw credit scores rise and delinquency rates fall.

Studying finance in high school can also be a way to prepare for your academic future. Taking a finance class can also help you study for the AP Finance exam, which can increase your odds of being accepted to college. And, with plenty of top-notch finance programs at nearby universities like UCLA, USC, Loyola Marymount University, and CSU, there’s no shortage of great finance programs to choose from for your college education.

In-Person Finance Classes in Los Angeles

UCLA hosts a three-week program called Introduction to Finance Summer Institute. Students will attend lectures on economics focused on investment options by UCLA faculty and discussion sessions led by UCLA Economics majors. You’ll learn about financial markets, stock ownership, the Federal Reserve System, and financial crises throughout history. You’ll also study valuation styles and quantitative analysis, personal investments, and banking cycles. Once you have an understanding of the basics, you’ll also explore finance careers and how best to prepare for them.

Loyola Marymount University (LMU) hosts the SIFI Financial Literacy Program, developed in partnership with the FoolProof Foundation. The Save It Forward Initiative (SIFI) is a social venture that incorporates FoolProof's online financial literacy platform with the mentorship of LMU undergraduate students to promote economic equality and advance financial literacy. This program can be completed online, is entirely free for those in the Los Angeles area, and it is designed to empower the local community with the knowledge and skills to make a lifetime of healthy financial decisions. You’ll cover topics such as healthy skepticism, budgeting, investing, and credit.

Virtual Finance Classes

Live online classes are an easy and accessible way to learn more about finance. Held in virtual classrooms, all you need is access to the internet and a computer to get started. Most (if not all) of your curriculum will be online, so there’s no need to spend money on additional materials. Plus, you can still interact with your instructor and other students in live online classes, asking questions and receiving feedback in real-time. Instructors can see and control your screen (with your permission) to help troubleshoot any issues you may encounter. Perhaps the most enticing benefit, virtual classes can be attended from anywhere, whether that’s your home, favorite coffeehouse, or local library.

NextGen Bootcamp’s Excel, Finance, & Investing Summer Program is held live online and consists of 25 hours of in-depth learning. You’ll study the most essential business tool, Microsoft Excel, while covering topics like valuation (such as P/E ratios and DCF analysis), financial statements, and fundamentals of stock investing. Consisting of three hours of daily live instruction that lasts for two weeks, this class is ideal for high school students since it has no prerequisites.

NextGen Bootcamp also offers a FinTech Summer Program, covering Microsoft Excel, finance, stock market investing, and Python for data science. Designed for beginners, this live online course will give students an advantage in future internships and college, as they’ll be learning the skills employers value. This course is basically the Excel, Finance, and Investing course mentioned above, with the addition of Python programming. You'll learn data science concepts using Pandas, Matplotlib, and scikit-learn, which teaches you how to input, analyze, and graph data.

How to Choose a Finance Class

Considering a finance class but unsure where to begin? There are several factors you should consider, which are listed below, as well as some tips and tricks to help you make the best decision for you.

• Cost: The price of finance classes can vary widely, so knowing your budget is very important. Some programs may offer financial assistance or payment plans as a way to make their training more accessible. Choosing a course that fits within your budget is a great way to practice financial literacy before your course even begins.
• Duration: You will find programs that are offered full-time and part-time, and each will have its own set length. If you are unable to attend a full-time course due to work or other commitments, then a part-time class can offer you more flexibility. If you want to learn finance while you’re on break from school, choosing a program that fits in that shorter window will be important.
• Level: If you’re brand new to finance, a beginner-friendly class with no prerequisites will be ideal. Intermediate or advanced classes are designed for those who are familiar with the fundamental concepts and want to advance to more complex topics. You’ll want to choose a course that challenges you but isn’t outside your capabilities.
• In-Person or Online: Choosing the right style of class matters, too. If you thrive in a structured classroom environment, start looking into in-person offerings. Online classes are ideal for those in need of more flexibility (whether that’s due to your schedule or your location) or those who prefer a more quiet, individual learning environment.