AMCHAM Junior Achievement 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® 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 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
Beliefs, Code of ethics, Employee ethics, Ethical decision-making, Ethical dilemmas, Ethics rationale, Ethics vs. rules, Fallacies, Gatekeeper, Goal assistants, Goal obstructions, Hero, mentor and role model, Interdependence, Marketing, Multinational corporation, Organizational ethics, Personal ethics, Profit, Propaganda, Social responsibility theories, Stakeholders, Stockholders, Values.
Skills
Analyzing information, Categorizing data, Decision-making, Oral and written communication, Public speaking, Reading for understanding, Understanding the need for mutual respect, Working in groups.
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 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, Government, Gross domestic product, Income distribution, Inflation, Investment, Labor, Markets, Opportunity costs, Productivity, Scarcity, Supply, Trade.
Skills
Applying information, Classifying, Critical thinking, Decision-making, Giving reports, Graphing, Interpreting data, Math computation, Reading, Research, Taking notes, Writing.
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, Federal 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 goods, 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® meets the needs of a diverse group of high school students by providing engaging, academically enriching, and experiential-learning sessions in work-readiness education and career perspectives. Seven required, volunteer-led sessions.
Concepts
Building rapport, Careers, Career 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® 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
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
AFTERSCHOOL 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
CAPSTONE PROGRAM
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.