MANASSAS, Va. - Managing money can be a difficult lesson for people of all ages to master, but Prince William County (web | news) schools has a program in place where students learn by becoming bankers.

The unassuming credit union and classroom is located in a converted storage room at Saunders Middle School, where sixth through eighth graders, guided by partners in the banking sector, learn the business of business by working in it.

"We're trying to teach them how to be smarter consumers, how to know -- better than we would have known when were were growing up -- how to have a checking account, to not overdraw, what it means to have credit cards down the road," said Apple Credit Union's Jamie Gatchell.

Brooke Burnette, a 7th grader who works at the credit union during lunchtime, describes herself as "more of a hands-on learner." For her, it's the perfect opportunity.

"To learn now, than to learn the hard way, or learn through experience and something has happened to me," Burnette said, "and I didn't know how to save my money and I run out -- I'd rather have this experience."

Fellow 7th grader Tony Zeto agrees it can positively impact his thinking.

"I'll appreciate when my parents buy something how much if could've cost," he said.

The partnership with a financial institution was Prince William County Schools' path to meeting a statewide mandate for financial literacy education.

"Many times we tell children, 'You'll need this in life', but this is a real-life opportunity to see, yes, they do need this in life," said Pat Puttre, the county's associate superintendent for middle schools.

Parents like the in-school banking concept because the classwork supports the standards of learning math section and the lessons resonate in real life.

"A sense of saving, that money doesn't grow on trees, that they need to plan for things if they want things," said parent Kim Rabago.

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