🏫 Kids want safer, more inclusive schools with better bullying prevention.
📚 Students seek modern courses like financial literacy and arts programs.
🥪 Smaller class sizes and better school lunches are top priorities.
Schools shape the minds of the future, but are they truly meeting the needs of today’s kids? In January 2025, we conducted a survey among members of the Modak community to find out what they would change about their schools. Their responses reveal both systemic challenges and hopeful ideas for improvement. The survey concluded on January 27, 2025, providing fresh insights into students' perspectives.
Let’s dive into these suggestions and explore how parents and kids can work together to turn these ideas into action.
The US school system has long been a topic of debate. Some argue that it’s outdated, while others say it’s overly focused on standardized testing. Key criticisms include:
Students from the Modak community echoed many of these concerns, offering heartfelt suggestions for change.
"Students at my school struggle to accept others who are different from them, and my school doesn't help at all. If you're a part of the LGBTQ+ community and open about it, you're often ridiculed and mocked, but the school doesn't do anything to help address the issue.
Bullying may never completely go away, regardless of age, as there will always be someone doing it. However, the least we can do is try to stop it. (...) If I could change something about my school, it would be the bullying and the way the school ignores it. The impact would be students feeling safer and not scared to be themselves around others."
"I wish my school offered more modernized courses to students with diverse interests. My school is VERY centered around sports, practically deeming not-so-athletic students ‘uncool’ and promoting lots of favoritism for students who do play sports."
Other students echoed this sentiment:
"Something I would change about my school is their food. It is horrible, and it would make people a lot happier. And it would make people more fit and more healthy."
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📚 Learn essential money skills like saving, budgeting, and managing finances, all while having fun.
🎮 Turn everyday activities like walking, chores, and hobbies into exciting opportunities to earn pocket money.
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"What I would change about school systems is adding a financial class. Instead of teaching us stuff we will never use, why not teach us how to budget our money or how to pay taxes?"
Many students see the lack of financial education as a missed opportunity to prepare for adulthood. Teaching budgeting and money management could prevent future financial struggles.
"One way to fix schools is by ensuring smaller class sizes. This allows for more personalized attention from teachers, helping students to better understand the material."
"I would implement a mentorship program pairing students with professionals in their fields of interest. This would provide real-world insights, career exploration opportunities, and personalized support."
Such programs could bridge the gap between academics and career readiness, making education more relevant and engaging.
According to Modak kids, the biggest challenges include:
Some students look forward to seeing friends, while others dread facing bullying or monotonous classes. Their thoughts reflect the mixed emotions tied to school life.
Looking abroad, the Japanese school system emphasizes discipline, respect, and practical life skills, offering potential inspiration for US schools. Students clean classrooms, learn about nutrition through balanced lunches, and develop a strong sense of community.
While no system is perfect, examining international models can highlight opportunities for reform in the US. For instance, the idea of smaller class sizes and integrating life skills education could significantly improve the learning experience.
Financial literacy is often overlooked in schools, leaving parents to fill the gap. With Modak, kids can learn about money management through hands-on experiences. Features like chore management, savings goals3, and MBX rewards2 make learning fun and practical.
By using Modak, kids have the opportunity to develop financial skills that can help prepare them for the future.
The voices of Modak kids remind us that schools must evolve to meet the needs of today’s students. From addressing bullying to modernizing classes, their suggestions highlight clear opportunities for improvement. While systemic change takes time, parents and kids can take steps now to build better habits and skills at home.
Modak offers an engaging way to teach financial literacy and responsibility, empowering kids to thrive both in and out of school. Together, we can create a brighter future for the next generation.
