JA Academy

Junior Achievement of Eastern MA

Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to educating young people about business, economics, and free enterprise. JA programs are taught by volunteers in class and after school at locations throughout the United States of America and in 100 countries. Junior Achievement was founded in Springfield, MA in 1919. The organization started by delivering the Company Program to high school students after school. JA has now expanded to a K-12 program base, providing over 20 grade appropriate courses.

Students build their résumés and college applications with this inspiring program. It is a free Junior Achievement after-school program for ambitious high school students interested in running their own company and selling products with the help of business professionals and college students.

Looks great on résumés and applications. Learn to work well with other people from different schools and backgrounds. Gain leadership, public speaking, and teamwork skills. Apply for jobs in the company, elect president and officers, sell stock to fund growth, create marketing strategies, drive production and sales, and present the business plan and annual report. Additionally, you will be exposed to business in the corporate setting during two board meetings, and hear from guest speakers and/or mentors who bring their experiences into the company to help you understand business concepts and life skills.

Since our pilot program in 2003, we have encouraged over 770 students to realize that they can go further, take risks, set goals, and achieve success personally and professionally. 92% of participants have learned how to start and run a small business and 88% of students agreed that developing a plan will help them reach goals. Our goal is for JA Academy students to gain a better understanding of business and how companies work, in conjunction with learning the importance of teamwork.