These programs are the foundation of its K-12 curricula. Six sequential themes, each with five hands-on activities, as well as an after-school, work to change students’ lives by helping them understand business and economics.

JA Ourselves

Kindergarten

JA Ourselves  uses storybook characters in read-aloud and hands-on activities to introduce the role people play in an economy. Through engaging, volunteer-led activities, young students learn about individual choices, money, the importance of saving and giving, and the value of work.

JA Our Families

1st Grade

JA Our Families explains how family members' jobs and businesses contribute to the well-being of the family and of the community. The program introduces the concept of needs and wants and explores the ways families plan for and acquire goods and services. Students analyze their own skills to determine ways they can support their families.

JA Our Community

2nd Grade

JA Our Community immerses students in the daily life of their community—the people who work there, the money decisions they make, the flow of the community’s economy, and the importance of being involved and responsible community members. It includes five 45-minute sessions, with additional extended learning activities and optional digital assets offered throughout.

JA Our City

3rd Grade

JA Our City featuring Cha-Ching introduces students to financial literacy and learning objectives for third–grade social studies, including how people manage their money and the importance of economic exchange within a city.

JA Our Region

4th Grade

JA Our Region introduces students to entrepreneurship and how entrepreneurs use resources to produce goods and services in a region. Students operate a hypothetical hot dog stand to understand the fundamental tasks performed by a business owner and to track the revenue and expenses of a business.

JA Our Nation

5th Grade

JA Our Nation provides practical information about the need for employees who can meet the demands of the 21st century job market, particularly high-growth, high-demand jobs. By program's end, students will understand the skills, especially in science, technology, engineering, and math, that will make their futures brighter.

JA Our Neighbors

Kinder - 5th Grade

JA Our Neighbors is a series of culturally responsive videos designed to help contextualize concepts introduced in JA’s elementary school programs.

JA More than Money

3rd - 5th Grade

JA More than Money introduces students to financial literacy and entrepreneurship, and to social studies learning objectives that include money-management skills, goods and services, and global markets. Through hands-on activities and a JA cast of characters serving as symbols for financial literacy and entrepreneurship concepts, students will learn a practical approach to starting a business and making smart decisions about managing money.

JA Career Exploration Fair

Kinder - 12th Grade

JA Career Exploration Fair is an event where students learn about a range of career options across multiple career clusters.

JA Career Speaker Series

Kinder - 12th Grade

In JA Career Speakers Series, a volunteer guest speaker visits the classroom and shares information about his or her career, work, and education experience.