Our Learning Model: Learning That Sticks

We use role-playing games, storytelling, and student-driven decision-making to teach real-world money skills in a way that feels like play. Research shows this kind of experiential learning increases retention, builds emotional intelligence, and empowers kids to think critically — long before they open their first bank account.

Explore our Curriclum

Smarty Cents Academy is a multi- week, story-driven economic role-playing game set in a fictional realm called Centropolis. Each student plays a character who helps build the town, manage money, trade, collaborate, and explore, while learning foundational financial literacy and entrepreneurship concepts.

Our sample curriculum is below, but our program is customizable based on your program length needs and class size.

Week 1: Introduction to money

  • Mini-lesson: Introduction to the game & player roles, along with the key topic of “needs” versus “wants.” Also introduce the concept of coins and XP points.

  • Game Objective: Choose your role, start with 50 coins

Week 2: Earning Money

  • Mini-lesson: Jobs, services, and how people earn

  • Game Objective: Complete a community job/run  basic services needed in Centropolis to start earning coins

Week 3: Creating a Business Plan

  • Mini lesson: Business types, value, customer fit

  • Game Objective: Choose a business idea and define your plan

Week 4: Budgeting and Startup Costs

  • Mini lesson: Cost of goods, pricing, startup planning

  • Game Objective: Create a business budget and savings plan

Week 5: Marketing & Prototyping

  • Mini lesson: Branding, pitching, and product packaging

  • Game Objective: Build signage, rehearse your product pitch

Week 6: Banking and Saving

  • Mini lesson: Deposits, interest, saving for the future

  • Game Objective: Open a bank account, track your savings

Week 7: Investing & Risk

  • Mini lesson: Lending, returns, risk vs. reward

  • Game Objective: Invest in peers, track outcomes, reflect

Week 8: Government & Grants

  • Mini lesson: Taxes, civic services, and public funds

  • Game Objective: Apply for a grant, vote on a public project, navigate an economic event

Week 9: Business Pitches

  • Mini lesson: Presentation skills, persuasion, confidence

  • Game Objective: Pitch to the town

Week 10: Celebration Fair

  • Mini lesson: Showcase & reflect

  • Game Objective: Final marketplace showcase, XP awards, wrap-up