At Hillcrest, SPS to open first student-run high school credit union in Missouri

Springfield's Hillcrest High School will become home to a branch of the Volt Credit Union during the 2023-24 year, Superintendent Grenita Lathan announced Thursday.

It will be the first student-operated high school credit union in Missouri.

“We are excited about the potential this partnership has to give high school students more opportunities to develop relevant job skills,” Lathan said in a statement.

“Expanding options that allow students to explore career and workforce pathways before they graduate will help them identify areas of interest and begin to prepare early to pursue their goals.”

The partnership will give Hillcrest students "real world" experience with financial literacy and allow them to explore career options.

They will learn specific skills and how financial institutions operate.

There will be hands-on lessons aligned with coursework in a range of classes including personal finance, freshman seminar and introduction to business.

The credit union will operate during the school day and be accessible to Hillcrest students, teachers and staff. Up to 15 students will work shifts under the guidance of a Hillcrest teacher and a Volt employee.

“We believe that financial literacy and personal financial management are important life skills that will benefit students well into their futures,” said Loretta Roney, Volt credit union president and CEO, in a statement.

“The opportunity for students to be trained as credit union employees and gain real-world preparation in a professional environment is priceless, and we are thrilled to be launching this new program.”

Volt Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative founded in 1935 and headquartered in Springfield. They have two branch locations, more than 7,000 members and 22 employees.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: SPS to open student-operated credit union inside Hillcrest High