SUDBURY CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Sudbury Catholic Students Build Financial Skills for Life Beyond Graduation

From developing a budget to understanding credit, taxes and the cost of borrowing, secondary students at Sudbury Catholic Schools are building the practical financial skills they will need throughout their lives.

Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, Ontario students must complete a financial literacy graduation requirement to earn their Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Most students will complete the requirement through financial literacy modules delivered as part of the Grade 10 Career Studies course and must achieve a mark of at least 70 per cent.

At Sudbury Catholic Schools, preparation extends beyond a single assessment. Learning in mathematics, business, Career Studies, cooperative education and other secondary courses gives students opportunities to explore how financial decisions connect to their education, careers and future goals.

"Financial literacy is an essential life skill," said CEO and CEdO, Morris Hucal. "Students will make important financial decisions throughout their lives, from managing their first paycheque to paying for post-secondary education or training. Our goal is to ensure they leave our schools with the knowledge and confidence to make informed choices."

Through classroom learning and real-world activities, students are developing skills related to:

• Creating and managing a personal budget;
• Understanding income, deductions and taxes;
• Comparing needs and wants;
• Setting financial goals;
• Using credit responsibly and understanding interest;
• Exploring saving and investment options;
• Recognizing financial fraud and misleading information;
• Understanding the financial implications of post-secondary education, apprenticeships and employment; and
• Evaluating how everyday financial decisions can affect long-term goals.

At St. Charles College, Grade 10 students are among those completing the financial literacy assessment and applying what they have learned to realistic financial scenarios.

"I am very pleased with how smoothly our first attempt at the Financial Literacy Graduation Requirement assessment went." Said St. Charles College Teacher, Grace Caldwell. "Students approached the assessment confidently and completed it with time to spare. I appreciate the strong support throughout the process from Mrs. Brittany Goldsborough and the administrative team at St. Charles College. It made our first experience with the assessment feel organized, well-coordinated, and very manageable."

She added "At first, students were a little nervous about the unfamiliarity of the assessment. To help them prepare, we worked through all the TVO Financial Literacy modules together from the first week of school, giving them opportunities to practise and discuss the concepts covered in the assessment. Students shared that they felt the modules prepared them well."

For students, the learning provides an opportunity to think more carefully about the decisions they may soon face outside the classroom.

When asked about her experience with the assessment, student Oluwatoniloba Akinfolarin credited her classroom learning with helping her feel prepared. "I was well-prepared by all the in-class lessons and the notes that I took," she said. Her advice to other students: "It isn't difficult, so don't stress about it."

Financial literacy is also reinforced through courses and programs that connect learning to life beyond graduation. Business classes introduce students to entrepreneurship, accounting and financial decision-making. Mathematics courses help students apply numeracy skills to interest, borrowing and budgeting. Career Studies encourages students to explore the financial realities connected to different education and career pathways, while cooperative education gives students experience in real workplaces.

"Preparing students for the future means helping them succeed academically while also equipping them to navigate adult life," added Superintendent of Math, Aaron Barry "When students understand how money works, they are better positioned to plan, ask informed questions and make decisions that support their goals."

This learning supports the Board's strategic priority of Achievement and Future Pathways and brings the 2026-27 theme, We Are Building, to life by building confidence, independence and readiness for the future.

By connecting financial concepts with real-life situations, Sudbury Catholic Schools is helping students prepare not only for graduation, but for the many decisions and opportunities that will follow.