Where else do eighth grade students have the hands-on opportunity and the real-life challenge of creating and maintaining a realistic personal and family budget? Where else are they engaged in making financial decisions that include selecting a health care provider for a fictitious family of three, choosing and buying a home, purchasing a family car and deciding how to finance home improvement projects all while setting aside money for their long-term savings and investment plans?

Before coming to JA Finance Park, eighth grade students study the various concepts of personal financial management in the classroom. Then, for one regular school day, students come to JA Finance Park and apply their newly acquired knowledge to a life-like business environment. JA Finance Park is an in-door center that simulates the real world of business with up to 15 real local businesses sponsoring mock storefronts ranging from insurance institutions to a clothing retail store. Students are issued “Life Situations” when they walk through the door assigning them an annual salary and fictitious family members/dependants they will need to consider while creating their personal budget. They then visit each business and gather information to make informed decisions regarding their purchases and financial management.