This program, comprising a curriculum and a simulation, helps students in grades 712 build a foundation on which they can make intelligent financial decisions that last a lifetime, including decisions related to income, expenses, savings, and credit.
There are two levels of content available for JA Finance Park: Entry Level and Advanced. The topics and concepts track closely with national financial literacy standards and are intended to prompt students to begin thinking about and planning for their financial future. This educator-led classroom curriculum culminates with a visit to JA Finance Park, a realistic on-site or mobile facility, or virtually in the classroom, where students engage with volunteers and put into practice what theyve learned by developing a personal budget.
In the Entry Level curriculum geared toward middle school students (grades 78), a minimum of 13 lessons are offered in either a traditional classroom presentation format or a project-based learning (PBL) format. The Entry Level curriculum includes the following units: Income, Debit and Credit, Savings, Investing and Risk Management, and Budget+. Both traditional or PBL formats provide educators a method of delivery that will best meet the needs of their students. Additional extension activities are available for each lesson topic.
The Advanced curriculum gives high school students (grades 912) a more personal focus. While it is not mandatory for students to have completed the Entry Level curriculum of JA Finance Park Virtual to have success with the Advanced curriculum, it is advisable that students have background in the following financial literacy concepts before participating in the Advanced curriculum: Earning and Income; Financial Goals; Insurance; Spending and Saving; Credit; Investing.
Program Concepts
Banking, Benefits, Budgets, Buying, Careers, Choices, Consumers, Credit, Debt, Exchange, Expenses, Income, Interest rates, Investments, Government, Money, Needs, Opportunity costs, Risk, Salary, Saving, Savings, Scarcity, Social Security, Taxes, Wages, WantsSkills Students Learn
- Active listening
- Analysis
- Applying information
- Brainstorming
- Budgeting
- Cause and effect
- Charting
- Comparing
- Computation
- Critical thinking
- Data collection
- Decision making
- Filling out forms
- Following directions
- Graphing
- Interpersonal communication
- Interpreting data
- Listening
- Math computation
- Negotiation
- Observation
- Planning
- Problem solving
- Reading
- Research
- Role-playing
- Self-reflection
- Spending
- Taking responsibility
- Teamwork
- Writing
- Verbal communication
JA Program Details
Alignment with Standards
Common Core Standards
For those states that follow common core standards, Junior Achievement's curricula have been reviewed for alignment with these standards! Learn more by selecting the appropriate grade level below.
Main Correlation and Standards PageNational Standards
While educational standards are determined primarily at the state level, many national standards serve as guidelines for the development of these state standards. See how Junior Achievement curricula align with the national standards listed below.
State Standards
Junior Achievement curricula are created to align with state standards. To see how our programs align with your state's standards, explore the options below.
Scope and Sequence
Junior Achievement learning experiences cover financial literacy, career and work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Our extensive scope and sequence helps explain how our programs cover these subjects at various grade levels.
