Junior Achievement programs offer students the opportunity to practice critical thinking in work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Junior Achievement has been partnering with schools and providing students with immersive educational experiences since 1950. The program is especially committed to working with students from low-income and underserved backgrounds.

For more than 70 years, Junior Achievement had just one location in the Portland-Metro. It was in southeast Portland on Foster Road, which made it difficult for students on the coast or west side to access. However, NWRESD has partnered with Junior Achievement to expand the program and add a second location in downtown Hillsboro. The new location will open in late fall 2023. Check back for more information. 

Junior Achievement offers two types of programs. BizTown aims to provide fifth graders the opportunity to run a town together. Finance Park offers high schoolers the chance to learn about managing finances and living as an independent adult. 

JA BizTown Overview

JA BizTown is a real-life simulation program offered by Junior Achievement. The program is aimed at fifth graders and includes 13 lessons that run about 45 minutes each. The culmination of the simulation brings students to the JA BizTown location for a half-day (4.5 hours) experience plus a debrief.

During the simulation, students work their previously assigned roles and engage within their true-to-life community. Various roles within the community include mayor, CEO and more. Students earn paychecks during their experience with the opportunity to purchase items they can take home. 

Watch the video below to learn more about what students from Sacajawea Elementary School in Vancouver, Washington, learned during their trip to JA BizTown. 

JA Finance Park Overview

JA Finance Park is another real-life simulation program for high school students. In this program, the curriculum includes lessons, a simulation experience and an event debrief.

During the simulation, students are randomly assigned careers, salaries, a marital status, number of children, etc. During their experience, students will encounter various life situations that will affect their income and simulated home life. Imagine a real-life experience of the game life.

Watch a brief video on what to expect during the Finance Park experience.

Mini-Grants

In our effort to partner with Junior Achievement to provide real-world business and financial simulations to students in our region, NWRESD's Career & College Readiness team have set aside limited funds to provide financial support for districts that may not otherwise participate. View more information and apply for the mini-grant here.

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