Investing in the Future: Baruch Hosts Stock Market Challenge for High School Students

September 4, 2025

Baruch College is helping young New Yorkers prepare for their financial futures. This summer, 25 high school rising seniors from public schools within the five boroughs came to campus for the College’s annual High School Stock Market Challenge, a four-week experiential course in financial literacy and investing.

Financial Literacy Builds Confidence

Hosted inside Baruch’s Subotnick Financial Services Center—a Wall Street-style trading floor with workstations and trading software— students put their money management skills to the test in a fast-paced, simulated stock market environment. Each participant managed a virtual $1 million portfolio, making trades, tracking performance, and adjusting strategies in real time.

“Financial literacy not only improves knowledge but also builds confidence,” explains Gideon Pell, lecturer at Baruch’s Zicklin School of Business and interim director of the Subotnick Center. “Programs like this give students the tools to make smart decisions about saving, investing, and preparing for adult responsibilities.”

From Classroom Lessons to Real-World Tools

Guided by Pell and his team, the high school students learned how to research stocks, observe market trends, and think strategically when making investment decisions.

The Challenge also gave students a first-hand feel for real-world investing employing industry software tools, such as Dow Jones’ MarketWatch, Yahoo Finance, and Bloomberg.

More than Just a Game

A recent survey from financial services firm Intuit revealed that many teens feel unprepared to manage their personal finances. Terms like “stocks” and “bond” rank among the least understood.

By offering hands-on, practical experiences like the annual Stock Market Challenge, Baruch is empowering young people to become more knowledgeable—and confident—in their financial literacy.

Pell adds, “Opportunities like this go beyond learning financial terms and strategies—they help high school students envision themselves in future careers in business and finance across the range of companies and industries represented in the public stock markets.”

“Closing Bell” Celebration

At the end of the four-week challenge, the Zicklin School of Business held an awards ceremony that marked their own version of a Wall Street closing bell.

All students received a certificate to recognize their participation. Top performers won prizes, and honors were presented to students for having thoughtful, well-organized presentations explaining how their stocks performed and challenges they faced during the competition.

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