Programs
Imagine eighth-grade students immersed in the experience of creating and maintaining a budget for themselves and their families based on their salary. Imagine a teenage 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.
JA Finance Park offers students a hands-on opportunity and the real-life challenge of creating and maintaining a realistic personal and family budget. Before coming to JA Finance Park, eighth grade students study the various concepts of personal financial management in the classroom. During the visit, students have the opportunity to use these learned concepts to develop a budget and consider the many options available to them in a life-like business environment. Students are issued "Life Situations" when they walk through the door assigning them an annual salary and fictitious family they will need to consider while creating their personal budget. Students become engaged in making financial decisions that include selecting a health care provider for a fictitious family, choosing and buying a home, purchasing a family car and deciding how to finance home improvement projects all while setting aside money for their long-term savings and investment plans.
JA Finance Park provides a reality-based simulation for students, enabling them to build foundations for making intelligent and lifelong personal financial decisions. It helps students develop a realistic understanding of economic issues they must deal with upon graduation from high school.
Financial Decisions about
- Health Care
- Real Estate
- Home Improvement
- Banking Services
- Insurance
- Financial Planning
- Automobiles
- Entertainment
Concepts
- Banking
- Budgets
- Careers
- Credit
- Debt
- Expenses
- Income
- Interest Rates
- Investments
- Saving
- Taxes
Skills
- Analysis
- Budgeting
- Critical thinking
- Data collection
- Decision-making
- Planning
- Problem-solving
- Taking responsibility
- Teamwork
Program Components
- Training:
Teachers, parents and volunteers are trained to serve as consultants to the students.
- Curriculum:
A comprehensive five-week classroom curriculum leads students through the joys and challenges of managing a budget.
- Visit:
Students travel to Junior Achievement City to create a comprehensive monthly expense budget based upon their designated personal income and life-scenario.
- Back in the classroom:
A week-long curriculum allows students to reflect upon their experiences and explore future career goals.
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