Goochland High Recognized as W!se Blue Star School for Student Finance Proficiency

Goochland High School earned recognition as a W!se Blue Star School at a recent School Board meeting, marking a renewed milestone for the district in financial-education outcomes. The Blue Star distinction reflects student proficiency in personal finance after passing the W!se Certification Test, and it highlights classroom gains that can translate into greater economic resilience for local families.

A speaker at the board meeting praised the teachers’ work, saying, “AGAIN THROUGH THEIR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION, WE WERE ABLE TO ACHIEVE THE BLUE STAR AWARD AND IT'S THE FIRST TIME IN SEVERAL YEARS, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY, THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED THIS AWARD. THINKS FOR THEM WORKING WITH OUR STUDENTS TO EARN THIS RECOGNITION FOR THE SCHOOL AND FOR THEIR STUDENTS. THANK YOU.” The Blue Star Award requires at least an 80% pass rate on the W!se test, the speaker noted: “EVERY YEAR THE STUDENTS IN THE ECON AND PERSONAL-FINANCE CLASS TAKE THE WISE TEST . WE ARE PRIVILEGED TO DO THE HARD WORK OF THE THREE TEACHERS TO BE AWARDED THE COVETED BLUE STAR AWARD AND TO EARN THIS AWARD, THE STUDENTS HAVE TO ACHIEVE, WE HAD TO HAVE 80% OF THE STUDENTS PASSED THE TEST.”

In addition to the Blue Star, the board recognized two teachers with the Gold Star Award. The meeting transcript names Miss Eyp and Miss G as Gold Star recipients and states that "TO EARN THIS AWARD, 92%, 93% OF THEIR STUDENTS HAD TO PASS THIS TEST ON THE FIRST ROUND . AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH OF THESE TEACHERS FOR ACHIEVING THE GOLD STAR AWARD GIVEN BY THE WISE TESTING FOUNDATION. A" The transcript lists both 92% and 93% first-round pass rates but does not specify which percentage corresponds to which teacher.

Board members framed the school-level honor within broader district accomplishments. Officials noted that Goochland is “one of 10 school divisions with 100% of its schools accredited for over a decade” and that the division “received a Distinguished Budget Achievement Award from the Government Finance Officers Association.” Those recognitions underscore a pattern of institutional stability that supports investments in classroom programs including personal-finance education.

Financial literacy has clear public-health and equity implications. Students who master basic budgeting, credit and savings skills are better positioned to avoid debt-related stress, access housing and health services, and participate in the local economy. For a largely rural county like Goochland, strengthening household financial capability can reduce disparities and improve community resilience.

Goochland High School is located at 3250-A River Road West, Goochland, VA 23063. The school main line is (804) 556-5322 and the fax number is (804) 556-6485. The school website also lists related school events and resources, including a Curriculum Night held Jan. 22, 2026.

The recognition offers tangible affirmation of classroom teaching and a reminder that school policy matters for community well-being. School officials and the division can build on this momentum by clarifying the Gold Star pass-rate details and the names of all teachers involved, expanding access to personal-finance courses, and linking financial-literacy efforts to broader initiatives that support student mental health and economic opportunity.