On-campus banking offers financial literacy lessons. (District plus: tips and ideas for successful district leadership).

Twice a week at lunchtime, students at Southside High School in Atlanta can handle what is a common mid-day errand for many working adults. They'll be doing their banking in an on-campus branch, courtesy of a partnership between the school and Citizens Trust Bank.

A project two years in the planning, the bank is different but not the first of its kind, says Principal William Shepherd. Before contracting with CTB, administrators visited a few local school banking models, as well as one in Kentucky.

It made sense for Southside because part of the school's mission is to help students become lifelong learners and productive citizens, says Carolyn Smith, director of the school's Academy of Finance. "Managing your money and finances helps you to become a productive citizen."

Students in grades 10-12 can apply for the academy magnet program, which offers accounting and finance courses and is serving 58 students this year. Seniors work in the bank as a customer service representative or the student manager.

Right now, students, parents and school clubs can open a savings account. Completed transactions are taken to a community CTB branch, where employees update the accounts. The school is working on adding financial consulting, provided by CTB employees, to the menu.

The school community made more than $1,100 in deposits on opening day, according to Smith.