Junior Achievement's BizTown is the new name for JA Worldwide’s experiential-based, elementary school capstone program. In addition
to the new name, JA BizTown has undergone substantial revisions to the curriculum, simulation, and software elements
of the program.
Overview
JA BizTown encompasses important elements of work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy, providing
students in grades four through six with a solid foundation of business, economics, and free enterprise education.
Furthermore, the program content augments students’ core curriculum in social studies (e.g., citizenship, government),
reading, writing, and mathematics. Throughout the program, students are encouraged to use critical thinking skills to
learn about key economic concepts as they explore and enhance their understanding of free enterprise.
Through daily lessons, hands-on activities, and active participation in a simulated community designed to support
differentiated learning styles, students develop a strong understanding of the relationship between what they learn in
school and their successful participation in a local economy. JA BizTown helps prepare students for a lifetime of
learning and academic achievement.
BizTown Goals
JA BizTown meets the needs of a diverse group of students by providing engaging, academically enriching,
experiential lessons.
Following participation in the JA BizTown experience, students will be able to:
• Discuss the roles they, as citizens, play in their community as workers and consumers and relate these
personal roles to the free enterprise system.
• Discuss the importance of citizen rights and responsibilities in a community.
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of the free enterprise system.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of nonprofit organizations in our communities.
• Build money management skills through a practical knowledge of economic concepts and banking practices.
• Develop an understanding of basic business practices and responsibilities.
• Demonstrate the soft skills necessary for their successful participation in the world of work.
New Curriculum
The JA BizTown curriculum is designed to minimize lesson preparation time through an efficient lesson organization.
The lessons are designed as a framework and can be adapted to meet the special needs and interests of students in the
classroom. However, students should complete each required lesson to ensure that they have the background
knowledge necessary to fully participate in the JA BizTown experience. In addition, Enhanced Learning Opportunities,
which will allow teachers to provide optional activities that complement the core curriculum, will be available.
Teachers may choose, at their discretion, to have students participate in some, all, or none of these activities.
Following their participation in the JA BizTown simulation, students participate in debriefing lessons to ensure a well
rounded learning experience. These lessons allow students to reflect on their JA BizTown experience and further
identify the relevance of classroom learning to their future plans and goals.
In an effort to address multiple learning styles, various teaching strategies are included throughout the curriculum to
actively engage students in the learning process. Please refer to the JA BizTown Curriculum Overview for a summary
of the key concepts included in each lesson of the program.
Junior Achievement Worldwide™ appreciates its partnership with the United States Department of Education Office of
Innovation and Improvement to help young people understand work readiness, entrepreneurship, and
personal financial literacy. Program support for JA BizTown is provided by grant U215K050403. JA
programs encourage confidence and motivate young people to achieve their personal, educational, and
career goals.
To volunteer or to have your child's school participate in BizTown call John at 561-242-9468 or email John@JuniorAchievement.com .
