High School Programs
JA Worldwide’s high school programs for students in grades 9-12 include economic and business curricula, an after-school student-led enterprise, and a one-day workplace capstone experience. The dynamic interaction between JA volunteers and students promotes active learning and brings theory to life.
Classroom-Based Programs
JA Banks in Action™
JA Banks in Action™ teaches high school students the principles of the banking industry and familiarizes them with the challenges of successfully operating a bank in a competitive environment. Eight required, volunteer-led sessions.
- Concepts—Banking, Banking careers, Central bank, Human capital, Interest rates, Liquidity, Long-term deposit products, Long-term loan products, Marketing, Products, Profits, Research and development, Reserve, Reserve requirement, Rule of 72, Services, Short-term deposit products, Short-term loan products, Spread
- Skills—Active listening, Analyzing information, Computer, Computing, Cost-benefit analysis, Critical thinking, Data analysis, Decision-making, Following directions, Group discussion, Interpreting information, Math computation, Problem-solving, Public speaking, Reading, Teamwork
JA Be Entrepreneurial™
JA Be Entrepreneurial™ introduces students to the essential components of a practical business plan, and challenges them to start an entrepreneurial venture while still in high school. Seven required, volunteer-led sessions.
- Concepts—Advertisement, Business plan, Competitive advantages, Customer, Demographic, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurial spirit, Ethical dilemma, Ethics, Financing, Long- vs. short-term consequences, Management, Market, Market needs, Marketing, Nonprofit business, Product, Product development, Profit, Social Entrepreneur, Social responsibility, Stakeholder, Voting
- Skills—Analyzing information, Business Planning, Categorizing data, Decision-making, Evaluating alternatives, Expressing multiple viewpoints, Graphic presentation, Oral and written communication, Presenting information, Reading for understanding, Weighing consequences, Working in groups, Working in pairs
JA Business Ethics™
JA Business Ethics™ fosters students’ ethical decision-making as they prepare to enter the workforce and take part in the global marketplace. Seven required, five supplemental, volunteer-led sessions.
- Concepts—Advantage, Demand, Economic systems, Exchange rates, Fiscal policy, Gross Domestic Product, Government, Global Economy, Income distribution, Inflation, International trade, Investment, Labor, Markets, Opportunity costs, Productivity, Scarcity, Supply, Trade
- Skills—Applying information, Classifying, Critical thinking, Decision-making, Giving reports, Graphing, Interpreting data, Leadership, Math computation, Public speaking, Reading, Research, Taking notes, Working in groups, Writing
JA Careers with a Purpose™
JA Careers with a Purpose™ introduces students to the importance of seeking careers that help them realize their life potential and noble purpose. Seven required, volunteer-led sessions.
- Concepts—Career, Career choices, Job, Life roles, Maxim, Noble purpose, World of work
- Skills—Analyzing information, Building self-confidence, Categorizing data, Oral and written communication, Public speaking, Working in groups
JA Company Program™
JA Company Program™ analyzes and explores personal opportunities and responsibilities within a student-led company. Twelve required, volunteer-led meetings.
- Concepts—Business, Choices, Competition, Division of labor, Entrepreneurship, Expenses, Fixed Costs, Goods, Incentive, Income, Liquidation, Management, Marketing, Parliamentary procedure, Price, Productivity, Profit, Production, Research and development, Services, Stock, Variable costs
- Skills—Assembling products, Consensus-building, Critical thinking, Estimating, Filling out forms, Interpreting data, Math computation, Negotiating, Presenting reports, Problem-solving, Public speaking, Research, Selling, Teamwork
JA Economics™
JA Economics™ examines the fundamental concepts of micro-, macro-, and international economics. Seven required, volunteer-led sessions.
- Concepts—Advantage, Demand, Economic systems, Exchange rates, Fiscal policy, Gross Domestic Product, Government, Global Economy, Income distribution, Inflation, International Trade, Investment, Labor, Markets, Opportunity costs, Productivity, Scarcity, Supply, Trade
- Skills—Applying and classifying information, Critical thinking, Decision-making, Giving reports, Graphing, Interpreting data, Leadership, Math computation, Public speaking, Reading, Research, Taking notes, Working in groups, Writing
JA Exploring Economics™
JA Exploring Economics™ fosters lifelong skills and knowledge about how an economy works, including micro-, macro, personal, and international economics. Seven required, volunteer-led sessions.
- Concepts—Banks as borrowers and lenders, Command economy, Consumer Price Index (CPI), Consumer purchasing power, Demand, Distribution, Economics, Economic isolationism, Economic systems, Federeal Reserve System, Free-rider problem, Inflation, Inflation rate, International trade, Investing options, Market economy, Market-clearing price, Nonrivalry, Percentage change, Private property, Production, Public vs. private sector, Regional trade, Risk vs. reward, Saving options, Simple interest, Supply, Supply and demand, Tariff, Taxes, Trade restrictions, Utility, United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), World Trade
- Skills—Analyzing information, Categorizing data, Charting, Decision-making, Evaluating alternatives, Evaluating information, Graphing, Listening for understanding, Oral and written communication, Negotiating, Public speaking, Reading for understanding, Solving algebraic equations, Working in pairs and groups
JA Success Skills®
JA Success Skills® helps students develop work-readiness skills necessary for the workplace and life. Seven required, volunteer-led sessions.
- Concepts—Attitude, Building rapport, Business, Careers, Choices, Citizenship, Communication, Cover letters, Effective communication, Interpersonal skills, Interviews, Jobs, Leadership, Lifelong learner, Opportunity costs, Professional image, Resumes, Self-confidence, Teamwork
- Skills—Advocating and influencing, Asking questions, Cooperating, Active listening, Observing critically, Public speaking, Research, Resolving conflict and negotiating, Reflecting and evaluating, Role-playing, Solving problems and making decisions, Teamwork, Working in groups, Writing
JA Titan®
JA Titan® introduces critical economics and management decisions through an interactive simulation. Seven required, volunteer-led sessions.
- Concepts—Business, Capital, Capital investment, Cash flow, Competition, eCommerce, Inventory, Management, Marketing, Price, Production, Profit, Research and development, Risk, Supply
- Skills—Analyzing situations, Applying information, Charting data, Computer, Consensus-building, Critical thinking, Decision-making, Giving reports, Interpreting data, Math computation, Reading, Teamwork
Junior Achievement Presents: The NEFE High School Financial Planning Program
Junior Achievement Presents: The NEFE High School Financial Planning Program introduces students to the importance of making wise financial decisions. The program demonstrates the importance of planning, goal-setting, and thoughtful decision-making within the context of personal financial decisions.
- Concepts—Budgeting, Credit, Financial choices, Fraud, Goal-setting, Identity theft, Insurance, Investment, Pay yourself first, Saving, Spending
- Skills—Analyzing information, Categorizing data, Decision-making, Financial planning, Oral and written communication, Organization, Public speaking, Reading comprehension, Working in groups
JA Job Shadow™
JA Job Shadow™ introduces students to careers through one-day, on-site orientations in the workplace. Two teacher-led classroom sessions prior to the work-site visit, and one follow-up classroom session.
- Concepts—Building rapport, Business, Careers, Choices, Competition, Consumers, Cover letters, Incentives, Income, Investments, Professional image, Resumes, Self-confidence, Teamwork
- Skills—Analyzing situations, Applying information, Asking questions, Critical thinking, Decision-making, Effective communication, Following directions, Making observations, Public speaking, Taking responsibility, Teamwork, Writing
All JA programs are designed to support the skills and competencies identified by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. These programs also augment school-based, work-based, and connecting activities for communities with school-to-work initiatives.
For additional information on this and all Junior Achievement programs, please visit www.ja.org