The Academy of Finance

Voices of the Academy

Perspectives from those who have experienced the Academy — students, parents, educators, and partners. Each program is built around real-world application, expert mentorship, and an elevated learning experience.

"The Academy of Finance has the rare educational trifecta: a curriculum that truly teaches, an achievement that impresses in admissions and employment, and a lifelong impact that endures in its students... and the participants love the program and each other. I would recommend AoF to anyone in high school or college."
Keith Berman
President, Options for College, Inc School Counceling
"The Academy of Finance is an outstanding program with a true culture of excellence. The small cohort size allows for personalized attention and strong mentorship, which made a huge difference for my daughter. She gained real-world experience in finance and investing, especially through opportunities like the Wall Street Master Class. The hands-on learning and mentorship helped her build confidence, communication skills, and learn to think like an investor. I’ve seen incredible growth in her leadership and independence. A special thank you to James Demmert and Pauline Argenson for their genuine care and dedication to each student’s success. Highly recommend this program for any student serious about their future, it truly makes a lasting impact."
Daniela Ranieri
Parent
"My 16yr old son had the best time at this class. He was motivated to wake up each Sunday and get to class! He learned a lot and liked the guest speakers as well."
Akshie Shah
Parent
The Academy of Finance has been an incredible experience. The Wall Street Master Class gave me valuable knowledge, meaningful connections, and unforgettable memories. The leadership and support throughout the program made the environment both inspiring and enjoyable. I’m very grateful for everything I learned and highly recommend it to anyone interested in finance.
Canaan Gill
Student, Watchung Hills Regional High School
"The Academy of Finance has been an incredible experience. The Wall Street Master Class gave me valuable knowledge, meaningful connections, and unforgettable memories. The leadership and support throughout the program made the environment both inspiring and enjoyable. I’m very grateful for everything I learned and highly recommend it to anyone interested in finance."
Tatiana Rivera
Student, Sacred Heart University
I cannot say enough wonderful things about the master class in finance my son recently attended at The Academy of Finance in NYC. From start to finish, the experience exceeded every expectation we had. James and Pauline were absolutely exceptional. They didn’t just teach—they genuinely invested in the students. They took incredible care of my son, making sure he felt supported, challenged, and inspired every step of the way. Their passion for finance and commitment to mentoring young people truly stood out. What impressed me most was how much real-world insight they shared. This wasn’t just textbook learning—my son was exposed to practical knowledge, industry perspectives, and opportunities that will give him a meaningful advantage as he moves forward in his academic and professional journey. Since completing the class, I can already see a boost in his confidence, focus, and enthusiasm for his future in finance. Experiences like this are rare, and the impact will stay with him for years to come. I’m incredibly grateful to James and Pauline for creating such a valuable and memorable experience. I would highly recommend this master class to any student serious about getting ahead in the world of finance.
Janeen Sampson
Parent
"The Academy of Finance provides an excellent foundation for high school and college students who aspire to enter Wall Street in the United States. Their professional education, realistic hands-on training, and access to a strong network of industry professionals are incredibly valuable. As an international student and non-U.S. citizen, I especially appreciated the many meaningful insights they offered about navigating the finance industry. Their guidance was both practical and encouraging, and it gave me greater confidence in pursuing my career goals."
Jaesung Park
Student, Columbia University
The Academy of Finance was an eye-opening experience that provided valuable insight into the world of the stock market. I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in immersing themselves in the world of Wall Street and learning from experienced professionals in the field. I’m looking forward to using these skills in real-world situations and growing my knowledge even further.
Kiersten van Starrenburg
Student, Greenwich Academy High School
The Academy of Finance's winter 2026 session provided an exceptional experience for my son, Canaan. Despite being a high school sophomore with limited prior knowledge of financial markets and trading, he was thoroughly engaged and inspired. The Academy has cultivated a truly remarkable and welcoming community, offering Canaan the invaluable opportunity to learn from dedicated mentors like James and Paulina, as well as numerous speakers from the financial industry. He also benefited greatly from networking with college students, gaining insights into their academic journeys and strategies for building opportunities in the financial sector. The supportive and inclusive environment fostered by the Academy of Finance made every Sunday a day Canaan eagerly awaited.
Harry Gill
Parent
Great experience, learnt a LOT about how the market works and why finance is crucial in today’s work. Most importantly, the experiences are very engaging as we even got to go to the NYSE Stock Exchange.
Kabir Shah
Student, Dwight School
Excellent course – a deep dive into the world of investing and wealth-building. Involved engaging presentations from industry experts and enriching lessons from Mr. James Demmert. I highly recommend to any student interested in learning what it really takes to be a successful investor!
Christaan Peart
Student, Stuyvesant High School
The Academy of Finance is a phenomenal place for anyone with a passion for the stock market world, regardless of prior experience. I learned so much in such a short period of time and I can't wait to see where it takes me!
Myah Comas
Student, Bard High School Early College
I had a great experience with The Academy of Finance. It’s super hands-on with a live challenge that helped me actually understand how investing works instead of just learning theory. The mentors are really knowledgeable, and the environment pushes you to think and grow. Definitely recommend it to anyone interested in finance.
Christaan Peart
Student, Wesleyan University | Berkshire High School