What we do
Interactive, student-centered lessons that teach real financial concepts in plain language.
Compass · Financial Literacy for Youth
Helping studentsfind their waywith money.
A student-led program from Newton North High School bringing real financial literacy into middle school classrooms. Free, hands-on, and built by people who remember being thirteen.
- Student-led
- Free for schools
- Mentor-guided
42.3417° N · 71.2092° W · Newton, MA
Find your wayFinancial literacyBy students, for studentsStart earlyMoney skills for lifeFree for schools
About Compass
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.
School teaches the quadratic formula, the periodic table, and three branches of government.
But not what a credit score is. Not how interest compounds. Not how to stretch a paycheck.
Money is the one subject every student will use. So we teach it.
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
The problem · Massachusetts
Closer to home, the gap is just as wide.
69% of Massachusetts residents report having no access to personal finance instruction. The skills that shape a lifetime of money decisions are left to chance. Compass starts closing that gap early, for free, in local classrooms.
69% of Massachusetts residents report no access to personal finance instruction; 31% had access. Source: FINRA NFCS 2025.
- No access
- 69%
- Had access
- 31%
What we do
Six lessons that map the money world.
Scroll to travel
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.
%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.
This is one of the classrooms we’ve worked with. We visit schools for free.
See all our school visitsThe crew
The people closest to the classroom gap are the ones building the program, 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
Co-Founder & COO
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
Co-Founder & CMO
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.