Sampson Early College High School (SECHS) is celebrating a major achievement this spring, earning a spot among the top five schools in the nation on the 2025 “100 Best W!se High Schools Teaching Personal Finance” list. This award, presented by Working in Support of Education (W!se) and sponsored by Voya Financial, honors schools that are leading the way in teaching students the critical skills they need to manage their money and plan for their futures.
SECHS, located on the campus of Sampson Community College, is the only North Carolina school to break into the top five this year, ranking fifth nationally. This recognition shines a light on the dedication of SECHS teachers and students, who have worked together to make financial literacy a part of the school’s curriculum.
Principal and staff members say the honor is a testament to the school’s mission: preparing students not just for college, but for life.
“Our students come from all over Sampson County and Clinton City, and many are the first in their families to attend college,” said SECHS Principal Monty Strickland. “We see every day how important it is for them to understand personal finance; whether it’s budgeting for college, saving for the future, or planning for a career. This award shows that our students are not just learning these lessons, but excelling at them.”
SECHS students, who balance college courses with their high school studies, say the financial literacy program has given them confidence and practical skills. “It’s not just about passing a test,” one student shared. “We’re learning how to manage money, avoid debt, and make decisions that will affect us for years to come.”
The W!se ranking is based on students’ performance on the Financial Literacy Certification Test, with consideration given to the number of test takers and the socioeconomic backgrounds of the students. At SECHS, where nearly all students qualify for free or reduced lunch, the achievement is especially meaningful, demonstrating that financial education can be a powerful tool for equity and opportunity.
Sampson Early College High School’s recognition comes as part of a tradition of excellence in the community, where both the high school and Sampson Community College have long been committed to providing opportunities for local students to thrive academically and professionally.
As the school year draws to a close, SECHS students, families, and staff are celebrating not just a national ranking but the real-world impact of empowering young people with the knowledge they need to succeed.
About Working in Support of Education (W!se)
Working in Support of Education (W!se) is a leading educational nonprofit based in New York City, with a mission to improve the lives of young people and at-risk adults through programs that develop financial literacy and readiness for college and the workforce. For more information, visit wise-ny.org.
About Voya Financial
Voya Financial, Inc. is a leading health, wealth, and investment company with approximately 10,000 employees who are focused on achieving Voya’s aspirational vision:” Clearing your path to financial confidence and a more fulfilling life.”
Through products, solutions, and technologies, Voya helps its approximately 15.7 million individual, workplace, and institutional clients become well-planned, well-invested, and well-protected. Benefitfocus, a Voya company and a leading benefits administration provider, extends the reach of Voya’s workplace benefits and savings offerings by engaging directly with approximately 11.9 million employees in the U.S.
Certified as a “Great Place to Work” by the Great Place to Work Institute, Voya is purpose-driven and committed to conducting business in a way that is economically, ethically, socially, and environmentally responsible. Voya has earned recognition as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by Ethisphere, a member of the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, and a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” on the Disability Equality Index. For more information, visit voya.com.