On March 18, 2026, 28 students from Citrus High School and Crystal River High School in Citrus County, Florida, visited the headquarters of Raymond James Financial in St. Petersburg as part of the Nature Coast Investment Practicum (NCIP) program.
The NCIP program brings real-world investing and financial literacy into Citrus County classrooms, allowing students to research companies, track industries, and manage real investments through a student-run portfolio fund. The program is a partnership with the Citrus County Education Foundation, which helps ensure students gain exposure to real-world career pathways and financial decision-making. During the visit, Amy McLaughlin of Raymond James in Crystal River spoke to the high-school students.
The students who participated are enrolled in Accounting 1 or Accounting 2 at Citrus High School, taught by Mr. Russell Wilson, and the entrepreneurship class at Crystal River High School, taught by Ms. Carol Dumas. The program has seen remarkable success, with the student-managed Manatee Investment Fund (MIF) growing from a $25,000 seed investment six years ago to exceed $1 million today.
This opportunity allows students to watch their money grow and learn valuable skills in investing and financial literacy. The NCIP program is an example of how classroom lessons can meet the real world, providing students with hands-on experience in managing investments and making financial decisions.
Originally reported by Citrus County Chronicle – Inverness
Sources: Citrus County Chronicle – Inverness
