A new credit union has opened inside Mae Jemison High School as part of a program to prepare students for the real world.
Workforce Development Through Banking
The student-run branch is operated by Redstone Federal Credit Union and marks the first branch in a Huntsville City School. It is also the 10th student-run branch in North Alabama and Central Tennessee, joining schools such as Bob Jones High, James Clemons High, Austin High, and Decatur High. The program, which started in 2017, focuses on financial literacy and hands-on banking experience.
Leadership and Student Involvement
Huntsville City Councilmember Michelle Watkins has championed the project since 2019. Business education teacher Latoya Bell leads nine students who operate the branch during their financial literacy class, which meets three times per week.
Preparing Students for the Future
Bell emphasized the value of giving students early exposure to real-world financial skills. “This will put them ahead of their peers, just being educated on these things before they go into the real world,” Bell said. The program aims to help students gain practical knowledge of banking, credit, and personal finance before entering college or the workforce.
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