Overview of Programs

Our programs help prepare young people for the real world by showing them how to generate wealth and effectively manage it, how to create jobs which make their communities more robust, and how to apply entrepreneurial thinking to the workplace. Students put these lessons into action and learn the value of contributing to their communities.

JA’s unique approach allows volunteers from the community to deliver our curriculum while sharing their experiences with students. Embodying the heart of JA, our classroom volunteers transform the key concepts of our lessons into a message that inspires and empowers students to believe in themselves, showing them they can make a difference in the world.

(To read how JA Programs correlate with Tennessee curriculum standards, click here.)

In-school Classroom Programs:

JA’s curriculum programs teach K-12 students about financial literacy, business and economic fundamentals, career exploration, and workplace competencies.  JA’s highly interactive programs are presented by volunteers from the community who expose students to a ‘real-world’ perspective and serve as positive role models and mentors to students.  Guidebooks, lesson plans, and student materials are provided to the volunteer who visits the classroom 5-8 times during a school semester (30-45 minutes/visit; school selection and scheduling is flexible).

Job Shadow Day:
JA coordinates Job Shadow experiences for middle/high school students in an effort to expose students to various careers and what a workplace setting is like, and to illustrate how the knowledge and skills learned in school can be applied in their futures.   This half-day event is held in the morning on or near Groundhog Day (other dates are also arranged).  Another program occurs each fall, called Music Row Job Shadow Day. This day provides area high school students with the chance to delve into the music industry. Each business will receive a Host Guidebook of sample schedules, activities and suggestions for the day and JA will coordinate with area schools to place 2 or more students in your firm.

JA BizTown:
This hands-on, experiential learning laboratory located in the Junior Achievement facility, is a life-size replica of a real townand helps 5^th grade students discover, investigate and become productive citizens.  Each student serves in a specific job role to help the entire “class/community” operate the stores, bank, delivery center, radio station, restaurant, newspaper and city hall.  During the JA BizTown on-site experience, students learn what it takes to create a business, operate a budget, advertise and sell products, supervise employees, hold elected office, as well as personally earn and manage money.  14 adult volunteers, usually coordinated by the school, are needed during each school visit to work hands-on with the students.