Overview:

Junior Achievement (JA) is dedicated to educating young people about business, economics and personal finances. JA programs are taught by volunteers in class and after school in over 270 schools and organizations throughout Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain counties. Junior Achievement was established in 1919. The greater Cleveland office has been in operation since 1941.

  Volunteers:

Junior Achievement builds partnerships between the business and education communities to provide the curriculum and volunteers who serve as role models to the students to help prepare them for their future. JA’s classroom volunteers come from all walks of life and include business people, college students, parents and retirees. These dedicated individuals are the backbone of the organization.

  Programs:

JA provides 20 separate, sequential programs to students in kindergarten through 12th grades. Our programs focus on seven key content areas: business, citizenship, economics, entrepreneurship, ethics and character, financial literacy and career development.

In the elementary grades, students learn about needs vs. wants, different types of jobs and money & banking. Middle grades students study budgeting, job interviewing and decision-making. In high school, students try their hand at entrepreneurship, writing business plans and financial management. The Junior Achievement programs supplement standard social studies curricula and develop skills that are essential to success in the workplace and in life.

  Why JA:

JA students demonstrate a significant understanding of economics and business knowledge and an enhanced desire to stay in school and pursue a career in business.

Teachers credit volunteers as a major factor for the positive impact of JA, saying that volunteers bring an outside business perspective into the classroom and serve as positive role models for students.

Schools have an opportunity to form meaningful partnerships with area businesses.

Volunteers share personal experiences, success stories and information about their career while enjoying a meaningful and fun experience!

Sponsoring companies and organizations have an opportunity to invest in the future workforce of Cleveland.