On October 23, 2025, USD 239 North Ottawa Public Schools hosted Reality U, a hands-on financial literacy simulation for 8th and 10th graders. More than 20 community volunteers from local businesses helped operate stations representing real-life expenses such as housing, banking, insurance, child care, transportation, entertainment, health care, and emergencies. 
Each student’s income was based on their GPA—the higher the GPA, the higher the earnings—illustrating how motivation and attitude impact real-world success. After 45 minutes of rotating through stations, facilitator Jacob Bentley led a debrief, asking, “What expense shocked you the most?” One student quickly replied, “Childcare costs.”
The event, a partnership between area organizations and USD 239, emphasized budgeting, saving, and prioritizing needs over wants, preparing students for life beyond high school while supporting the district’s mission to help all learn, work, and thrive.