BayPort and NNPS Student-Run Credit Union Partnership Earns State Recognition

The Virginia Department of Education State Business and Industry Partnership Award has been presented to BayPort Federal Credit Union and Newport News Public Schools. Their collaboration to enhance personal finance education with student-staffed credit unions in 10 schools has been named the winner of the 2020 Creating Excellence Business Partnership Award.

These model financial institutions prepare student members to conduct basic banking transactions and shows them the value of saving.

BayPort offers Newport News students lessons in financial literacy and work-based learning opportunities exploring finance careers. The partnership also provides hands-on experiences, including work in the student-run credit unions, mentoring, summer programs, and volunteering.

Three Newport News high schools participate in the program: Heritage, Denbigh and Woodside High. The program is also offered at Crittenden, Dozier, and Hines middle schools, and Carver, Kiln Creek, Lee Hall and Saunders elementaries.

The Creating Excellence awards are presented annually to recognize exemplary programs and partnerships that promote excellence in career and technical education.