About the Campaign

 A Critical Moment

Our region’s growth and the demands of the global economy are exploding. But the national education system is not keeping pace. For students to be ready for the future ahead, they need real-world skills now.

Junior Achievement of Greater Washington is embarking on the Exponential Tomorrows campaign to help students build the real-life skills and critical thinking that business and life demand.

The Need

Here and across the country, students are disengaged and unprepared to navigate today’s complex, modern world and workplaces. Schools don’t have the resources to shift education alone.

6 in 10

high school students are not engaged in school

Only 11%

of business leaders believe high school graduates have the skills and competencies for employment

68,800

Greater Washington youth ages 16-24 are neither in school nor work

Nearly
$1 Billion

in negative local economic impact created by disconnected youth

Why JA?

We have partnered with educators and the business community for decades to go beyond textbook learning to engage students and equip them for today’s world. With the support of the community, we are building the solutions that will empower today’s generation of DC area students to lead tomorrow.

  • “I wouldn’t be here without JA ... Learned how to start a company, run a company, manage a company, presidential skills. I’m all about JA!”

    Mark Cuban, Investor and Entrepreneur

  • “JA seems to be the only organization that truly ‘gets it’. The organization understands that education needs to be student-driven, and it gives students opportunities to embrace their individualities and capitalize on their skills. ... The JA learning style is why I’ve been inspired to come back and start my own ventures.”

    Kurien Thomas, JA Company Program Alumnus

  • “Wow! First visit to Finance Park and so much more hands on and detailed than I imagined. You can see the kids grasp how important, involved and complicated money questions can be.”

    Robert Schmeelcke, History and Social Studies Teacher, Sandburg Middle School

  • “JA Finance Park opened many of my students’ eyes to the world of finance and helped them develop a better understanding and appreciation of their parents’ financial situations.”

    Karen Horn, Math ILT, Kenmoor Middle School

  • “There are only a few products that I endorse…Junior Achievement and 3DE are programs that I will go and speak about every single day.”

    Prince George’s County Public Schools Educator

  • “The biggest personal benefit I've received as a volunteer is seeing the students succeed and do a better job building a company than I could have ever dreamed of building when I was their age.”

    Scott Gold, 2020 JA Company Program Mentor

Be Part of
Transforming Education

You can be a catalyst for change that will ensure the future of our young people, our talent pipelines and our region.

Volunteer. Invest. Partner.