OUR MISSION

Junior Achievement's purpose is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy.

Changing the Lives of Young People

Junior Achievement’s mission is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed. The inspiration piece comes from community volunteers who not only deliver our lessons but share their experiences. In the process, these volunteers serve as role models helping to positively impact young people’s perceptions about the importance of education, as well as critical life skills. Preparation involves our proven lessons that promote financial capability, work and career readiness, and business ownership. Research has also shown that JA Alumni are more likely to have a college degree, feel confident managing money, have career success, and have started a business as an adult.

History of Junior Achievement

Junior Achievement has over 100 local JA Areas across the nation, and together we are the nation's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need for economic success, planning for their futures, and making smart academic and economic choices. JA's programs—in the core content areas of work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy—ignite the spark in young people to experience and realize the opportunities and realities of work and life in the 21st century.

Overview of Junior Achievement

Junior Achievement was founded in 1919 by Theodore Vail, president of American Telephone & Telegraph; Horace Moses, president of Strathmore Paper Co.; and Senator Murray Crane of Massachusetts. Its first program, JA Company Program®, was offered to high school students on an after-school basis. In 1975, the organization entered the classroom with the introduction of Project Business for the middle grades. Over the last 39 years, Junior Achievement has expanded its activities and broadened its scope to include in-school and after-school students.

Junior Achievement is one of a few non-profits to use independent evaluators to see the impact of its programs. Since 1993, independent evaluators have conducted studies on Junior Achievement's effectiveness. Findings from the JA Alumni Report of 2015 show that 93% of students who took JA graduated high school or have a GED and that 67% of JA Alumni were more likely to get an advanced degree.

Nationally, JA reaches over 3 million students per year in 127,817 classrooms and after-school locations.  JA volunteers teach everywhere in order to reach the most students possible, whether it's in inner cities, suburbs, or rural areas throughout the United States.

Doing this, JA is able to reach approximately 24,000 students a year, with over 100 Area Offices, like JA of Central Florida, in each state!

Junior Achievement of Central Florida

JA of Central Florida was founded in 1961, Junior Achievement has over 100 local JA Areas across the nation, and together we are the nation's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need for economic success, planning for their futures, and making smart academic and economic choices. JA's programs—in the core content areas of work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy—ignite the spark in young people to experience and realize the opportunities and realities of work and life in the 21st century.

Our Commitment To Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We at Junior Achievement are dedicated to providing a positive, enriching learning experience free of bias that promotes greater economic opportunity and equity. Junior Achievement welcomes K-12 students, volunteers, educators, staff, and other partners and stakeholders, regardless of race, religion, age, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected characteristic.

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