April 21, 2026

Academic Innovations / Get Focused Stay Focused!

Celebrate Financial Literacy Month: Helping Students Discover Their Lifestyle Number

Financial Literacy Month is a national effort to raise awareness about the importance of financial literacy, the need for financial education, and the resources available to help individuals build strong financial foundations.

For students, that mission comes to life when financial lessons connect directly to future goals. In her article, Mindy Bingham introduces the “Lifestyle Number,” encouraging families to calculate the real cost of a student’s desired lifestyle. This simple exercise helps students see how education and career choices tie to financial independence, turning financial literacy into a meaningful, real-world family conversation.

School Spotlight: Bear River High School Earns Gold Again for Career Readiness Excellence

Bear River High School has again earned the Career Choices Gold Medal from Academic Innovations, recognizing its continued excellence in preparing students for life after graduation. Through the Career Choices series curriculum and My10yearPlan.com®, students build personalized plans that connect their education to future goals.

This year, the program expanded with dual enrollment, reaching 90–95% participation and boosting student engagement. With strong support from educators and the community, Bear River continues to create a culture where career readiness and real-world planning drive student success.

To apply to become a Career Choices Medal School, click below!

10 Steps to Growing Dual Enrollment with Equity

If you found this video helpful and your school is exploring how to launch or expand dual enrollment, you don’t have to figure it out alone. From program design to implementation, we’re here to help you create a scalable model that connects planning, purpose, and real college opportunities for every student. Please reach out to us at (800) 967-8016.