The middle grades programs build on concepts the students learned in Junior Achievement’s elementary school program and help teens make difficult decisions about how to best prepare for their educational and professional future. The programs supplement standard social studies curricula and develop communication skills that are essential to success in the business world.
JA Economics for Success gives students the information needed to build strong personal finances, a cornerstone to a happy, secure life. Students learn the importance of exploring career options based on their skills, interests, and values. They also learn about spending money within a budget; saving and investing wisely; and using credit cautiously. (Grades 6-8)
Through engaging activities, JA It’s My Business! Blended Model provides middle school students an opportunity to experience the initial steps necessary to start a business. New program content provides an authentic entrepreneurial experience for students, with each session building up to a product-pitch competition. (Grades 6-8)
JA It’s My Future Blended Model offers middle school students practical information to help prepare them for the working world. Students will develop the personal-branding and job-hunting skills needed to earn a job. (Grades 6-8)
JA Global Marketplace Blended Model introduces students to the global marketplace and the ways in which countries buy and sell from each other. Through completion of this program, students will gain an understanding of producers and consumers in the interconnected global market. (Grades 6-8)
Given the extraordinary circumstances accompanying the COVID-19 pandemic and the immediate need to address the economic inequity in our communities, we have transformed our traditional In-Class programs to virtual programs so that we can still enable students throughout San Diego to find their future success. Our virtual programs include interactive learning and engagement with JA staff, volunteers and mentors from the SD business community and are available for parents/families and educators.
Mission Fed JA Finance Park is a paperless, high-tech learning center that helps students imagine their future through participation in a budgeting simulation. Our program helps thousands of San Diego teens, young adults and families learn how to make intelligent financial decisions that will last a lifetime. The traditional, blended, and PBL programs includes in-class curriculum and a one day capstone experience at Mission fed JA Finance Park. JA Finance Park helps students imagine who they want to be and gives them hands-on tools and skills to plan for a financially secure future.
JA for Everyone is a 4-hour personal budgeting simulation designed to help participants understand the link between lifestyle, education, career, and the management of personal finances in an interactive environment. JA for Everyone at JA Finance Park encourages participants to explore what it takes to balance a budget and manage a life in sunny San Diego and beyond. Participants must be 12 years or older. All sessions take place from 9:00am-1:00pm. There are no more JA For Everyone sessions in 2020! Please check back soon for our 2021 dates. Due to high demand, no refunds or rescheduling are permitted. Dates with low enrollment will be given refund or reschedule options if necessary.
The JA Personal Management Merit Badge workshop series is a Scout approved program designed to help Scouts achieve the necessary skills and knowledge to obtain their Personal Management Merit Badge. Scouts attend three workshop sessions over a 90+ day time frame to complete all the required documentation, application, and citation for completion of the Personal Management Merit Badge requirements. The program includes classroom style instruction, the Mission Fed JA Finance Park budgeting simulation, and a counselor day for Scouts to defend their 90 day budget and financial literacy knowledge.
In partnership with Girl Scouts of San Diego, we offer the following badge workshops in entrepreneurship, financial literacy and work-readiness. Please visit the "Girl Scouts of San Diego Badge Workshops" tab to the left for information on each badge workshop and other program details.
JA It's My Job (Soft Skills) will help students understand the value of professional communication and soft skills, making them more employable to future employers across multiple career clusters. (Grades 6-12)
In JA Career Speakers Series, a volunteer guest speaker visits the classroom and shares information about his or her career, work, and education experience. (Grades K-12)
Through JA Excellence through Ethics, students will learn the importance of ethics and ethical decision-making and how ethical and unethical choices affect everyone in a community. (Grades 6-12)
San Diego offers several “camp” opportunities during the year. JA camps utilize Junior Achievement national, regional, and locally developed curriculum. JA Camps focus on one or more of the JA pillars of focus: Entrepreneurship, Workforce Preparedness, and Financial Literacy.
Junior Achievement programs correlate to various national, state, and district educational standards. See how by clicking below!
JA Correlation StandardsSurvey results prove that JA is preparing students to develop successful financial management habits, empowering them to explore the potential of becoming an entrepreneur, and providing them the skills necessary to succeed in a global economy.
JA Programs Evaluation ResultsLearn more about the concepts and skills of JA Programs.
JA Scope and SequenceJA programs supplements provide students with additional information and engaging learning opportunities.
JA Program Supplements