Elementary Programs

Junior Achievement’s elementary school programs are the foundation of its K-12 curricula. Through play-based learning and multimedia resources, students experience fundamental concepts that shape their attitudes towards money, work, and community. These concepts are the building blocks of JA’s education pathways.

JA Our Neighbors is a video series that focuses on foundational concepts related to earning and saving money, exploring different careers, and understanding entrepreneurship. Each video provides a combination of social and emotional learning, hands-on activities, and interesting conversations with guest co-hosts from the community to create an engaging learning experience.

JA in a Day is a high-impact experience that allows students to receive all of JA’s traditional elementary program lessons in one day (instead of 5 sessions) and earn their JA Certificate. Trained volunteer groups from the corporate and civic communities deliver the lessons to an entire school over the course of 4-5 hours. It’s an exciting day full of hands-on activities and fun discussions around financial literacy, career exploration, and entrepreneurship.

JA BizTown combines in-class learning with a daylong visit to a JA simulated town— where students learn the fundamental relationship between academics and life beyond school. This experiential learning program allows students in grades five and six to learn about the flow of their community’s economy, financial literacy skills, and basic business practices.

The JA Career Speaker Series is a program where volunteer guest speakers visit classrooms to share insights about their careers, work experiences, and educational backgrounds. These speakers often bring props, work samples, or other visuals to engage students and provide a more interactive learning experience. The program is designed to help students understand different career paths and the skills needed for various professions.

The JA Community Partner Program as a collaborative initiative that connects schools with local businesses, organizations, and professionals to enrich students’ educational experiences. These partners contribute through various means such as volunteering, providing financial support, and offering resources or expertise to enhance the learning experiences of students. The program focuses on helping students understand the importance of community involvement, financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. By engaging with community partners, the students can gain practical, real-world insights and experiences, preparing them for future success.