JA Finance Park - Entry Level

JA Finance Park is Junior Achievement’s capstone curriculum for personal financial planning and career exploration. This program, comprising a curriculum and a simulation, helps students build a foundation on which they can make intelligent financial decisions that last a lifetime, including decisions related to income, expenses, savings, and credit.

This educator-led classroom curriculum culminates with a visit the JA Finance Park simulation, where students engage with volunteers and put into practice what they've learned by developing a personal budget.

Following participation in the program, students will be able to:

• Identify personal interests, skills, work preferences, and values.

• Identify career interests.

• Evaluate the risks and benefits of saving and investing.

• Evaluate risk and recognize insurance as a way to minimize it.

• Define taxes, explain their purpose, and understand how they affect everyone.

• Explain the advantages and disadvantages of using credit and debit cards.

• Explain who uses a budget and why.

• Identify the components of a successful budget.

• Create a successful budget using hypothetical life situations.
  
  JA Finance Park is a part of the JA Financial Literacy Pathway and JA Work and Career Readiness Pathway and is recommended for middle and high school students (grades 7-9). JA Finance Park (Entry Level) culminates in a hands-on budgeting simulation. Spanish translation is available for JA Finance Park (Entry Level).