JA World

Imagine a city run by fifth graders. Imagine one of these young consumers rushing to the bank to deposit a paycheck after working a shift at a local retail store or another who works at the local newspaper frantically rushing to meet the story deadline before the paper goes to press. Imagine a fifth-grade mayor meeting with business leaders to discuss the current business climate. Now, imagine eighth-grade students immersed in the experience of creating and maintaining a budget for themselves and their families based on their salary. Imagine one student struggling with the decision to buy a home, comparing health care providers for the family and determining which auto insurance is needed for a new car.

Creating these experiences for students has been an on-going dream of Junior Achievement. Now, with JA World completed, this dream is finally a reality. JA World opened its doors on November 16, 2004, welcoming fifth-grade students from Fawcett Elementary to a fun, educational, interactive, hands-on experience of the free enterprise system.

JA World is a new vision of teaching and learning about the American enterprise and entrepreneurial spirit. It is a dynamic, experiential learning practicum that incorporates both a hands-on and classroom curriculum approach that fully engages students in imagining and investigating their futures.