My high school required one for a math curriculum that was specifically designed with the idea that students would not need advanced math classes. It kids up for failure if they were hoping to move toward higher level math in college, as the fundamentals were never adequately taught. But at least they sold thousands of calculators to kids who would never use them again.

They actually started us on them in 7th or 8th grade.

$100 for something you'll use all through middle and high school and into college isn't a bad deal.