“I take my students to JA Finance Park because it’s a fun, immersive experience that gives my students the opportunity to practice crucial life skills like budgeting, thinking about savings, and planning investments in a supportive environment. The work my students do at JA Finance Park seems to “sink in” far better than any of the financial literacy lessons I’ve ever taught on my own in my classroom.”
-Hannah Drager, Teacher
JA Finance Park, presented by Transamerica, helps students build a foundation for making intelligent and lifelong personal financial decisions through a hands-on, realistic simulation experience. The program has been recognized by Harvard University’s Global Education Innovation Initiative as a program with innovative curriculum and best practices related to 21st century skills in financial literacy education.
During their visit to JA Finance Park, located inside American Furniture Warehouse at 8501 Grant St. in Thornton, Colorado, students become an adult for the day and immerse themselves in a reality-based decision-making process addressing aspects of individual family budgeting, including housing, transportation, food, utilities, healthcare, investments, philanthropy, and banking.
JA also offers an online version of the program. Much like the hands-on version, JA Finance Park Virtual users adopt a fictional persona, create an avatar and make fiscal decisions based on a predetermined life circumstance, all in a virtual environment.
JA Finance Park is offered at no cost to students or schools thanks to the support of volunteers and donors.
