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

Ourselves® (Kindergarten) uses compelling stories read aloud by the volunteer, along with hands-on activities, to demonstrate helping, working, earning, and saving. Five required, volunteer-led activities.
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Our Families® (1st Grade) emphasizes the roles people play in the local economy and engages students with activities about needs, wants, jobs, tools and skills, and interdependence. Five required, volunteer-led activities.
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Our Community® (2nd Grade) explores the interdependent roles of workers in a community, the work they perform, and how communities work. Five required, volunteer-led activities.
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Our City® (3rd Grade) studies careers, the skills people need to work in specific careers, and how businesses contribute to a city. Five required, volunteer-led activities.
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Our Region® (4rth Grade) introduces the relationship between the natural, human, and capital resources found in different regions and explores regional businesses that produce goods and services for consumers. Five required, volunteer-led activities.
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Our Nation® (5th Grade) provides practical information about businesses’ need for individuals who can meet the demands of the job market, including high-growth, high-demand jobs. Students will learn that businesses need workers with skills that are in demand, such as STEM skills – science, technology, engineering and math. They’ll understand that people who have these skills benefit from a growing number of career opportunities.
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JA More Than Money™(After School) teaches students about earning, spending, sharing, and saving money, and businesses they can start or jobs they can perform to earn money. Six required, after-school, volunteer-led activities.
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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.