Homeschool Edition on March 4, 2020

What is JA Finance Park?

JA Finance Park helps area middle and high school students build a foundation upon which they can make intelligent financial decisions that last a lifetime, including decisions related to careers, income, expenses, savings, and credit.  The JA Finance Park program begins with a three-to-six-week classroom curriculum, which provides personal finance lessons and learning activities that align with state learning standards. Through these lessons, students learn about financial institutions, taxes and salaries, and budgeting. A supplemental JA Career Exploration Guide offers enhanced exploration of local educational and career opportunities. 

The classroom curriculum culminates with a visit to the state-of-the-art Lincoln Finance Park facility, where students put their learning into practice. During this one-day experience, students “become” adults faced with real-life financial situations and choices. Each student is given a personal profile that includes details relating to his or her simulated family, educational background, career, and income-level. Then, the students are immersed in a reality-based experience that involves individual and family budgeting and decisions relating to housing, transportation, food, utilities, health care, investments, philanthropy, and banking.  At all times, adult volunteers (homeschool teachers/parents) guide students toward sound financial and lifestyle choices.

Students participating in JA Finance Park receive their profiles, work through their budgets, and make purchases entirely on iPads.  

Click on the link below to see a video about JA Finance Park.

- Video Link -

Program Requirements

Each student will need to be taught a series of lessons to prepare them for their experience.  Lessons can be taught at the students's pace, but must be completed prior to the March 6th visit experience. Educator Materials for this specific program are available for $25 per teacher.  Guides may be shared within homeschools/groups/organizations.

Other Programs

 Check out these other great programs! 

Please click on the appropriate hyperlink for more information about each of these opportunities:

JA BizTown Homeschool Day--Wednesday March 4, 2020, meant for students in grade levels 4th-6th

JA In A Day “Homeschool Edition”--Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at the Indiana Tech campus downtown Fort Wayne. Meant for students in grade levels Pre-K (ages 4 & 5) through 12^th. 

Lemonade Day--Saturday, May 16, 2020. This program is FREE and meant for students of all ages.

JA Young Entrepreneur Summer Camp--Week of June 22-26, 2020. Open to students that will have finished grades 5 - 7. 

JA Young Entrepreneur Marketplace--Saturday June 13, 2020. Open to young entrepreneurs up to age 21 that would like a venue to sell their products or services to the public. For more information, contact Lisa Kern at the JA Office at (260) 484-2543.