WHO WE ARE
JA San Diego has impacted over one million young people since 1950 through Common Core-aligned K-12 programs guided by the three pillars of financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and career readiness. JA programs enable students to make connections between what they learn in school and real-world applications. JA programs ignite the spark in young people to recognize the value of their education; be aware of and plan for their future; and realize the opportunities and realities of work and life in the 21st century through hands-on learning experiences. These early insights are essential building blocks for economic empowerment and self-sufficiency.
JA San Diego serves a diverse population of students from across the socio-economic spectrum. We deliver JA programs through implementation methods that address the specific needs of our community and schools. Through continually evolving and expanding our programs, JA San Diego curates learning experiences that engage and inspire local youth.
WHO WE ARE
JA San Diego has impacted over one million young people since 1950 through Common Core-aligned K-12 programs guided by the three pillars of financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and career readiness. JA programs enable students to make connections between what they learn in school and real-world applications. JA programs ignite the spark in young people to recognize the value of their education; be aware of and plan for their future; and realize the opportunities and realities of work and life in the 21st century through hands-on learning experiences. These early insights are essential building blocks for economic empowerment and self-sufficiency.
JA San Diego serves a diverse population of students from across the socio-economic spectrum. We deliver JA programs through implementation methods that address the specific needs of our community and schools. Through continually evolving and expanding our programs, JA San Diego curates learning experiences that engage and inspire local youth.
WHY JA
Recognizing the growing disparity between student debt and viable career pathways combined with the EDC’s forecast of thousands of jobs that may remain unfilled, JA San Diego continues to focus on opportunities that better prepare – and connect – San Diego’s students with future careers.
About one in seven students in San Diego County does not graduate from high school and roughly half of high school graduates are college ready, as per data from the California Department of Education. JA programs have become increasingly more relevant as schools are placing a stronger emphasis on career readiness. In an ever-changing economy and job market, students need to gain a better understanding of the career opportunities that exist and how to obtain them.
Using experiential curriculum and a network of industry mentors, JA San Diego allows students of all learning styles to thrive and learn important life lessons. This, in turn, reinforces the value of staying in school and drives rising high school and college graduation rates in our community.
We recognize many of our neighbors have been historically disenfranchised and continue to be underrepresented in San Diego’s high-growth industries. Hispanics represent for 34% of the San Diego population, yet Hispanics account for 17% of workers in the innovation economy.
JA San Diego is making intentional efforts to provide programming that economically empowers young people. Engaging with communities that have been underserved by providing access to social and financial capital is integral to building an equitable future in which all people can thrive.
CORE PRINCIPLES
WHY JA
Recognizing the growing disparity between student debt and viable career pathways combined with the EDC’s forecast of thousands of jobs that may remain unfilled, JA San Diego continues to focus on opportunities that better prepare – and connect – San Diego’s students with future careers.
About one in seven students in San Diego County does not graduate from high school and roughly half of high school graduates are college ready, as per data from the California Department of Education. JA programs have become increasingly more relevant as schools are placing a stronger emphasis on career readiness. In an ever-changing economy and job market, students need to gain a better understanding of the career opportunities that exist and how to obtain them.
Using experiential curriculum and a network of industry mentors, JA San Diego allows students of all learning styles to thrive and learn important life lessons. This, in turn, reinforces the value of staying in school and drives rising high school and college graduation rates in our community.
We recognize many of our neighbors have been historically disenfranchised and continue to be underrepresented in San Diego’s high-growth industries. Hispanics represent for 34% of the San Diego population, yet Hispanics account for 17% of workers in the innovation economy.
JA San Diego is making intentional efforts to provide programming that economically empowers young people. Engaging with communities that have been underserved by providing access to social and financial capital is integral to building an equitable future in which all people can thrive.
CORE PRINCIPLES
CORE PRINCIPLES
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & 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.
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & 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.
JA HISTORY
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. Junior Achievement was one of the earliest non-profit organizations to work towards youth education, and economic development. Junior Achievement is now a global organization with 103 local JA Areas in the United States dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their futures, and make smart academic and economic choices.