At MECCA Business Learning Institute (MBLI), our M-Core program is at the heart of our mission to prepare students for the future by equipping them with essential business, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy skills. We believe in giving students hands-on experiences that bridge the gap between academics and real-world applications, ensuring they are well-prepared for both higher education and successful careers in business and beyond.

M-Core: A Comprehensive Business Education

The MBLI M-Core program provides middle school students with an immersive business education experience designed to foster essential skills in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and economic understanding. Aligned with the National Business Education Association (NBEA) Standards, Maryland State Financial Literacy Standards (MSFLS), and the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy’s K-12 Standards, M-Core equips students with practical knowledge in personal finance, leadership, and responsible decision-making. Through classroom-based jobs and hands-on projects, students engage in a school-based micro-economy (M2E), developing skills that will serve as a strong foundation for high school and future careers.

Program Structure

The M-Core program is built around MBLI’s Micro-Economy (M2E), an interactive financial ecosystem where students earn currency through school-based jobs, manage personal finances, and make spending and saving decisions. This dynamic system integrates MBLI’s Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS), rewarding students with increased virtual pay rates as they acquire new skills. M2E reinforces the connection between academic growth, financial literacy, and personal responsibility.

Student-Run School Store

One of the cornerstones of our M-Core program is the Student-Run School Store. This initiative gives students the chance to operate a real business within the school, where they manage everything from product selection and pricing to marketing and customer service. Students gain invaluable experience in:

• Inventory Management: Learning how to track and stock products.

• Sales and Marketing: Developing promotional strategies to boost sales.

• Customer Relations: Building skills in communication and customer service.

• Financial Management: Managing the store’s budget, tracking expenses, and calculating profits.

Through this hands-on experience, students not only learn the basics of running a business but also develop leadership and teamwork skills that will serve them in any career they choose.

Student Banking Program

Our Student Banking Program is designed to teach financial literacy and money management. In partnership with local banks, students are introduced to the concepts of saving, budgeting, and investing. This program includes:

• Opening and managing savings accounts: Students learn the importance of saving and how to manage their personal finances.

• Budgeting lessons: Students create and manage personal budgets, learning to make informed financial decisions.

• Understanding credit and loans: Introducing concepts such as credit scores and responsible borrowing to help students prepare for future financial decisions.

By engaging in these activities, students build a strong foundation of financial literacy that will help them succeed in life.

Financial Literacy Curriculum

At MBLI, financial literacy is an essential part of our M-Core program. Our curriculum teaches students how to make informed financial decisions, from managing a budget to understanding how the economy works. Key components of our financial literacy program include:

• Budgeting and saving: Students learn how to create personal budgets, understand spending priorities, and set savings goals.

• Investing: Introducing students to the basics of investing and the importance of building long-term financial security.

• Economics and entrepreneurship: Exploring how businesses operate within the broader economy and how entrepreneurs contribute to economic growth.

• Credit and debt: Helping students understand the impact of credit, loans, and responsible borrowing on personal finances.

Our goal is to empower students with the tools they need to make informed financial choices throughout their lives.

Grade-Level Focus in M-Core

• 6th Grade
  Through classroom-based jobs, 6th-grade students earn two- to three-digit currency amounts and can save in their MBLI Student Savings Account or spend at the school store. Activities focus on basic budgeting, recordkeeping, and understanding opportunity costs.

• 7th Grade
  7th-grade students earn three- to four-digit amounts, covering expenses like rent, utilities, and taxes. The curriculum introduces advanced financial concepts, such as budgeting, saving, and understanding opportunity costs.

• 8th Grade
  8th-grade students earn four- to five-digit amounts, managing more complex finances, including loans, inflation, emergency funds, and renters’ insurance.

Additional M2E Components

• Job Applications and Interviews: Students apply and interview for classroom jobs, gaining valuable job-seeking skills.

• Bonuses and Fines: Academic achievements and volunteerism earn bonuses, while certain behaviors result in fines, reinforcing responsibility.

• End-of-Year Reconciliation: Students pool earnings for a collective class reward, such as a party or field trip, emphasizing teamwork and shared financial planning.

Annual Business Symposium

Each year, MBLI will host a Business Symposium, a marquee event that will connect students with industry professionals, entrepreneurs, and business leaders from the community. The symposium will feature:

• Workshops and Panels: Business professionals will lead interactive sessions where students learn about various industries, career paths, and trends in the business world.

• Entrepreneurship Competitions: Students will present business ideas and compete for awards, receiving feedback from experienced entrepreneurs.

• Networking Opportunities: Students will have the chance to interact with business leaders, mentors, and potential future employers, expanding their understanding of the world of business.

This event provides students with real-world insights into the business world and reinforces the practical skills they develop in the M-Core program.

At MBLI, we believe in preparing our students to be not just learners but future business leaders and innovators. Our M-Core program is designed to give students the hands-on experience and financial literacy they need to succeed in any career. Whether it's through managing the school store, participating in the student banking program, or engaging with local business leaders at our annual symposium, students at MBLI graduate with the confidence and skills to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.