JA Finance Park Outcomes

JA Finance Park, presented by Great-West, helps students build a foundation for making intelligent, lifelong, personal financial decisions through hands-on, realistic site-based experiences. The program includes in-school, teacher-led activities culminating in a visit to JA Finance Park and a post-visit assessment.

In September 2011, JA launched JA Finance Park in the Wells Fargo Atrium in downtown Denver. During JA Finance Park’s first three months, 1,300 students dedicated time to differentiating between net and gross income, and making credit and purchasing decisions. Participating middle school students scored an average of 39% on the pre-test and 58% on the post-test, showing a significant knowledge gain. The majority (83%) of the more than 200 middle school students surveyed said that their visit to JA Finance Park taught them how to manage their money and demonstrated the following results after their visit.

High school students report that their visit to JA Finance Park is more than a simulated event, it encourages them to change their spending habits in relation to one another and to not live beyond their means. More than 80% of students found their experience made them more confident in planning for their financial future.

JA Finance Park will reopen in February at the American Furniture Warehouse in Thornton.  JA is currently accepting registrations from middle and high schools for both locations. Contact Stephanie Murphy at 303-260-6284 for more information about how to participate.