While Northwood might seem to be a school of wealth, 19% of our students qualify for the state’s free and reduced lunch program, determined by family income.
Thus, in social surroundings, mindfulness is necessary when discussing finances with our peers.
It is true that our city is affluent compared to the rest of California. The median household income in Irvine was $114,027 in 2023, which is about 14% higher than the state average. It’s reasonable to assume that the majority of Irvine residents are financially privileged and at least “upper middle class.”
However, the preconception that Irvine is a bubble of wealth and affluence is often false. The poverty rate in Irvine as of 2023 was 11.7%, only slightly below the national average.
Lack of awareness that some families may be struggling can breed toxic comparison, pressuring those with fewer financial resources to feel like they need to appear well off to fit in with their peers.
This social pressure usually comes from the subtle self-consciousness of thinking their peers are more financially secure.
Many fear being excluded from certain social outings because they cannot afford the same luxuries that cost “just a couple hundred dollars” to their friend.
It’s important to be aware of your social surroundings and the different financial backgrounds that your friends may come from.
“Awareness is the first step. Then, as you start to think about what you’re doing with your friends and the comments that you make when someone declines an invitation is not something snide,” assistant principal Kortney Tambara said. “It’s actually thinking about ‘I wonder why they’re declining’ and looking at an alternative experience or outing.”
It can be as simple as asking your friends how much they are willing to spend on a weekend hangout and being non-judgmental when a more expensive option doesn’t work out for everyone.
Additionally, not continuously projecting wealth, but instead de-emphasizing brands and price, can also make someone feel more included in the group, allowing friendships to transcend financial differences.
A limited budget doesn’t limit the amount of fun that is possible. One such example is prom, one of the most memorable yet most expensive moments of one’s high school life. In order to go all out even with a limited budget, Tambara advises wise financial planning months in advance.
“If we knew, this is senior year, and we’re gonna go to prom, what can we do to save money to buy that ticket when it first comes out?” Tambara said. “Unfortunately, not everyone has the luxury of just being able to get the money and buy their ticket and everything that they want. Some of it does take a little bit of planning.”
The school offers fixed starting prices for dance tickets and opportunities for students to buy or rent dresses and tuxedos at reduced prices to ensure that prom is unforgettable for everyone.
However, the most important aspect is to get rid of the social stigma that prevents students from seeking the help they need.
According to Tambara, a major challenge for the school when providing assistance is that they don’t know who needs it.
Taking advantage of the free and reduced lunch program and financial aid for dance tickets can ease the financial burden for families while also making sure that no student is left behind in enjoying their high school events and overall experience.
Students can learn more about whether they qualify for financial assistance at https://northwoodhigh.iusd.org/free-or-reduced-price-meal-program-information, or discuss with their counselor.
