Junior Achievement of Middle America, Inc.

JA Pathways – a new, strategic methodology – is an innovative solution to drive systemic change; strengthening partnerships between schools, businesses, and the community to prepare youth with crucial competencies needed to succeed in an increasingly complex and competitive world. Through JA Pathways' competency-based approach, students (Kindergarten through twelfth grade) will strive for mastery of a subject regardless of time, place, or pace of learning. JA Pathways emphasizes a framework of customized delivery, personalized learning, and individualized assessment to inspire and prepare youth, ultimately enabling them to demonstrate the competencies and life skills needed to be financially capable, work ready, and entrepreneurially minded.

JA Pathways focuses on inspiring, preparing, and empowering youth to envision and realize their potential across the K-12 academic journey. It provides school districts with curriculum, experiences, and support when needed. Mentorship from trusted volunteer role models reinforces concepts, lessons, and experiences in financial literacy, career readiness, and the importance of developing an entrepreneurial mindset. JA Pathways re-imagines what experiential student engagement looks like, helping young people foster meaningful personal connections with professional mentors.

Through JA Pathways, kids in grades K-3 will master foundational concepts through a variety of classroom-based interactions and inspiring lessons led by teachers and volunteers. As students move into upper elementary and middle school (grades 4-8), JA experiences narrow sights on preparation and application. This phase features lessons designed to build on the critical foundational competencies, culminating with three transformational capstone field experiences in high school:

1. JA BizTown
This signature capstone experience launches students into a simulated economy. Individuals take on the three-fold role of employee, consumer and engaged citizen. Students discover firsthand the intricacies of being a thriving professional and contributing community member. They see with their own eyes the abundance and variety of career opportunities available for their futures. Youth put what they have learned in the classroom into action, immersing themselves in reality-based decision-making processes and navigating personal and professional life challenges.

2. JA Career Center
A space for students to investigate how they can leverage their passions and strengths into successful careers. Youth will be able to answer a powerful question – “Who can I become?” after exploring connections between personal skills, interests, agilities, and professional opportunities.

3. JA Innovation Center
A practical application lab where youth will tackle real-world problems and create their own innovative solutions, leaving with the inspiration to follow their dreams and equipped with the competitive advantage of an entrepreneurial mindset.

As youth enter the final JA Pathways stage, the scope shifts, empowering students to demonstrate competencies that will facilitate a successful transition to post-graduation success. 3DE: Three-Dimensional Education by Junior Achievement, is a proven and innovative model to redesign high school learning and create equitable access to high quality education. 3DE is re-engineering high school education with an eye to relevance, experiential learning, and authenticity, connecting students to the complexities that exist beyond classroom walls.

The comprehensive JA Pathways model will produce measurable gains in students’ knowledge, skills, and aspirations. JA Pathways equips youth to graduate with a vision for their future, confidence in their abilities, and a path to achievement and economic empowerment.