For the next three years, Carmel Education Foundation (CEF) will partner with Junior Achievement (JA) of Central Indiana to send all Carmel Clay Schools (CCS) fifth-grade students to JA BizTown through the newly announced ACHIEVE initiative. Previously, the financial obligation was absorbed by either the school, parent teacher organizations or families, hence only half of the 11 elementary schools in the district participated. Now, every fifth grader will have equal access to this unique learning opportunity.
In the JA BizTown simulated city, there are 15 businesses that represent all aspects of free enterprise, including governance, banking, health, utilities, industry, entertainment, and more. While there, students get to be “an adult for a day,” including learning how to balance their income with necessary expenditures such as taxes and purchases, how to work together as a community, and the functions of business.
Over the next three years, the ACHIEVE initiative will also support sending eighth-grade students to JA JobSpark, a hands-on career exploration fair that allows students to learn what skills are needed for jobs that are available in today’s world, especially those that are in demand in Indiana. Additionally, high school students will have the opportunity to engage in a JA 4E Fair, which highlights post-secondary options, including education, employment, enlistment, and entrepreneurship.
“This is why we are here,” CEF President Dallas Shelby said. “To connect our students with opportunities from our community so that everyone benefits and we go further together.”
CEF Executive Director Jennifer Penix worked closely with Dr CCS Assistant Superintendent Amy Dudley and Junior Achievement President and CEO Jennifer Burk to create the ACHIEVE initiative, which is possible because of the success of CEF’s Ghosts and Goblins 5k/2k race in October and the Taste of Carmel in March, as well as investment from community partners in support of expanding the impact of CEF to engage more students.
“Being able to integrate Junior Achievement curriculum that meets our state standards in multiple areas is an essential part of this endeavor,” Dr. Dudley said. “Most importantly, providing the opportunity for more than 1,500 students to be fully engaged in both JA BizTown and JA JobSpark in 2022-2023 elevates the learning opportunities for our students, further preparing them for their own future success. We appreciate that the foundation has been instrumental in this partnership.”
Every six years, CCS examines curriculum in particular disciplines. Much of the JA curriculum that will be included in the classroom relates to social studies for elementary and middle school grades, and business and social studies in the high school, all of which have recently been or are currently in their respective evaluation phases, hence the timing is perfect for implementation.
“Creating this opportunity for Carmel Clay students to engage with Junior Achievement in elementary, middle, and high school allows them to experience the full continuum of the rich history of success of JA programs,” Burk said. “We aim to inspire each individual to find a career path that best aligns with their skills and interests and we know that these young people are the future of our cities, state, and nation. We are thrilled to work together with the leaders of Carmel Clay Schools and Carmel Education Foundation.”
CEF welcomes community businesses who want to be part of the ACHIEVE initiative, either through financial investment, or by supporting schools with volunteers. Please contact CEF Executive Director Jennifer Penix for more information at jpenix1@ccs.k12.in.us.
Photos provided by Carmel Education Foundation
Students from Prairie Trace Elementary attended JA BizTown in spring 2022. Funding was provided by Carmel Education Foundation for 125 fifth-grade students to experience this program.