Press Release

Release Date: December 20, 2024
Contact: Michael Sherman, msherman@sifma.org

New Jersey Students Win The Stock Market Game™ with Outstanding Financial Performances

Winners Demonstrate Research, Critical Thinking
and Analytical Skills in Real-World Financial Decision-Making

The future of financial education shines brightly as student teams from New Jersey excel in the prestigious Stock Market Game™ competition. The SIFMA Foundation is proud to announce the winners of the Fall 2024 Stock Market Game™, celebrating the top-performing teams across elementary, middle and high school categories. Each team achieved the highest portfolio values in the competition and was recognized alongside their teachers and schools.

Hosted by the SIFMA Foundation in collaboration with dedicated local partners, The Stock Market Game continues to underscore the value of equipping young people with essential financial skills and knowledge. This dynamic program allows students to engage in the complexities of stock trading by managing a simulated portfolio with a virtual $100,000. Through this hands-on learning experience, participants gain valuable insights into economics, finance, and market dynamics.

Winning Teams:

Elementary School
First & Second Place: Hillside Intermediate School, Bridgewater

Middle School
First & Second Place: Woodcliff Middle School, Woodcliff Lake

High School

First & Second Place: Teaneck High School, Teaneck

The SIFMA Foundation, with its enduring commitment to financial education, partners with local organizations to bring this transformative program to students nationwide. The program ensures learners from diverse backgrounds gain access to critical financial education tools, fostering skills that prepare them for a lifetime of informed financial decision-making.

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Participants explore the value of long-term investing through an innovative educational platform used by New Jersey teachers to enhance knowledge in math, economics and personal finance. This comprehensive program improves test scores while imparting critical life skills essential for financial independence.

In teams of up to five, students simulate real-world investing, trading stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds on the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ. They research market trends, monitor global news, and make strategic trades in real-time using the Stock Market Game’s online tools or smartphone app. Additionally, students can prioritize socially responsible investments aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

“Congratulations to all the outstanding student teams who excelled in this semester’s Stock Market Game,” said Melanie Mortimer, President of the SIFMA Foundation. “This program is about more than just numbers—it’s about inspiring the next generation of leaders to think critically, make informed choices, and approach financial challenges with confidence. By partnering with schools across the country, we’re providing students with tools and opportunities that will serve them for a lifetime, from excelling in their careers to achieving personal financial security. We are deeply thankful for the dedication of educators who make this transformative learning possible.”

The Stock Market Game curriculum integrates lessons, hands-on activities and virtual events to develop critical thinking, research, and analytical skills through an engaging real-world simulation. Teachers access a robust online support center, offering over 1,000 lesson plans that align with New Jersey education standards, STEM requirements, and 21st-century learning goals. The program emphasizes the fundamentals of long-term saving and investing while enhancing core subjects like math, language arts, economics, and social studies.

Beyond the competition, students gain invaluable skills in research, risk assessment and decision-making. These lessons not only deepen their understanding of economic principles, but also instill a sense of financial responsibility and readiness for future academic, career and personal finance challenges.

About the SIFMA Foundation
The SIFMA Foundation is dedicated to closing the opportunity gap by fostering financial market knowledge among youth from all backgrounds. Through the support of educators and the financial industry, the Foundation provides financial education to strengthen economic opportunities and raise awareness of the global marketplace. Since 1977, its flagship program, The Stock Market Game, has guided over 23 million students toward financial independence by cultivating essential life skills, improving academic achievement, and advancing social-emotional learning. For more information, visit www.sifma.org/foundation.

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