What we do
Interactive, student-centered lessons that teach real financial concepts in plain language.
Compass · Financial Literacy for Youth · Newton, MA
A student-led financial literacy program based at Newton North High School, teaching middle schoolers the money skills school leaves out.
- Student-led
- Free for schools
- Newton, MA
Financial literacyBy students, for studentsStart earlyMoney skills for lifeFree for schools
About
Financial literacy is a life skill. We start early.
Compass is a student-led program based in Newton, Massachusetts, dedicated to equipping middle school students with the knowledge and confidence to make smart financial decisions through interactive lessons, real-world scenarios, and hands-on activities.
Our purpose
Make financial literacy approachable and relevant earlier in students' education, building both understanding and confidence.
Why it matters
Financial literacy is a critical life skill introduced too late. Early exposure builds a foundation for long-term financial well-being.
Mentor-guided
The program is mentored by an experienced Newton North business teacher, keeping every lesson grounded, accurate, and classroom-ready.
The problem67%
of adults worldwide lack a basic understanding of fundamental financial concepts.
We’re changing that, starting in the classroom.
Source: S&P Global FinLit Survey
What we do
Practical financial lessons, built for the classroom.
Compass delivers interactive, student-centered lessons that introduce middle schoolers to essential financial concepts. We teach through engaging presentations, real-world scenarios, and activities like games and guided discussions.
Spending & saving
The difference between wants and needs, and how small habits add up over time.
Banking
How checking and savings accounts work, and what it means to keep money in a bank.
Taxes
Where taxes come from, what they pay for, and why a paycheck is smaller than a salary.
How the economy works
Supply, demand, and the everyday forces that shape prices and jobs.
Budgeting
Building a simple plan for money coming in and money going out.
Compound interest
Why money can grow on its own, and how starting early changes everything.
Our format
Interactive presentations
Clear, visual lessons that invite questions and discussion.
Hands-on activities
Games, real-world scenarios, and guided group discussions.
Data-driven assessments
We measure understanding before and after each visit.
The proof · Bigelow Middle School
We piloted Compass with eighth graders at Bigelow Middle School in Newton. Students took the same financial literacy assessment before our visit and again after the program. Here’s what changed.
Eighth grade · Newton, MassachusettsMay 26, 2026
We ran an interactive presentation on spending and saving, banking, and how money works in everyday life, then closed with a Jeopardy-style review game so students could apply what they learned as teams.
- Spending and saving
- Banking
- How money works day to day
- Jeopardy review game
Closed with a team Jeopardy round to put the lesson to work.
%65%
Before Compass
%98%
After Compass
A 33 point jump in the share of students who could correctly answer core questions on saving, budgeting, and interest. One short program in one classroom.
Classroom gallery
Pending school approvalPhoto 1
Photo 2
Photo 3
Photo 4
Photos from the visit will appear here once the school signs off on releasing classroom imagery.
Want results like this at your school? We visit classrooms for free.
Request a visitTeam
Led by students, guided by an experienced classroom teacher.
Compass is student-led by design. The people closest to the classroom gap are the ones building the program, working alongside a Newton North business teacher with two decades of experience.
Portrait of Barbara Liao, coming soon.
Barbara Liao
Founder & Leader
A student-athlete and competitive swimmer at Newton North, committed to NYU for fall 2027. She founded Compass after seeing how a lack of early financial education holds people back, convinced that literacy should never be a barrier to success.
Portrait of Rob Kane, coming soon.
Rob Kane
Business Teacher & Mentor
20+ years teaching at Newton North
A Newton North business teacher since 2002, with a master's in education from Kent State University and a degree in business administration from the University of Scranton. He mentors students pursuing business and entrepreneurship.
Portrait of Marlowe Canelli, coming soon.
Marlowe Canelli
Title TBD
Suggested: Lead Instructor or Outreach Lead
A Newton North freshman, competitive swimmer for Shawmut Aquatic Club, and Business Club member who has run a small e-commerce business. He teaches elementary and middle schoolers the practical foundations of personal finance.
Portrait of Luca Rai, coming soon.
Luca Rai
Title TBD
Suggested: title to be added
A Newton North student and MLS Next Academy soccer player who founded his own e-commerce business. He visits schools as a speaker, presenting foundational financial concepts to younger students.
Contact
Compass Financial Literacy
Helping Students Find Their Way with Money
We are a student-led program based in Newton, Massachusetts. Reach the team directly, or invite us to bring a free financial-literacy lesson to your classroom.
Bring Compass to your students.
Tell us about your school and we will follow up to schedule a free classroom visit. It takes about two minutes.