Cedar Rapids Community School District: January School District Spotlight

Author: Cathy Essick
Financial Literacy
Published: Monday, 27 Jan 2025

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Image caption: Empowering the future together! Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa and Cedar Rapids Community School District partner to provide students with hands-on financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship education.

At Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa, we are proud to partner with school districts across the region to provide students with valuable financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship education. Each month, we will highlight one of our incredible school district partners, and for our first School District Spotlight, we are thrilled to feature the Cedar Rapids Community School District (CRCSD).

A Strong and Expanding Partnership

CRCSD has been a dedicated Junior Achievement (JA) partner for over 25 years, integrating JA programming across kindergarten through ninth grade. As of this year, JA programming is now district-wide, impacting approximately 10,844 students through a variety of experiential learning opportunities.

Engaging Students at Every Grade Level

Through our partnership, CRCSD students participate in engaging, hands-on programs tailored to their grade level:

Kindergarten: JA Ourselves^®
1st Grade: JA Our Families^®
2nd Grade: JA Our Community^®
3rd Grade: JA Career Speakers^®
New this winter/spring, this event will provide all 3rd graders in CRCSD with an opportunity to hear from professionals about different career paths and industries.
4th Grade: JA Equipment Exploration^®
Also launching this winter/spring, CRCSD will host an Equipment Exploration Fair where all 4th graders can engage with hands-on learning about various tools, equipment, and industries.
5th Grade: JA BizTown^® Mobile & JA More than Money^®
Kenwood Leadership Academy, Cedar River Academy at Taylor, and Johnson STEAM Academy are piloting the JA BizTown^® Mobile
6th Grade: JA Company Program^® Pop-Up
7th Grade: JA It’s My Job^®
8th Grade: JA Finance Park^® Mobile – Entry Level
McKinley STEAM Academy and Roosevelt Creative Corridor Business Academy Schools will pilot the experiential learning simulation, while other middle schools will participate in a financial literacy fair with Kirkwood Community College.
9th Grade: JA Career Inspire

Image caption: Learning in action! A dedicated JA volunteer guides CRCSD elementary students through hands-on activities, helping them build essential financial literacy and career readiness skills.

Impactful Programs & Student Participation

Our partnership with CRCSD continues to grow, with students engaging in a variety of impactful JA programs:

JA BizTown^® Mobile– This year, around 120 students from CRCSD’s three magnet elementary schools are participating in this real-world simulation as part of a pilot program.
JA Finance Park^® Mobile– All 8th grade students (~1,000 students) will receive the curriculum this year. Additionally, Roosevelt Creative Corridor Business Academy’s ~180 students will experience the experiential learning simulation.
JA Career Inspire – In 2024, 660 CRCSD 9th graders attended this career exploration event.
Stock Market Challenge – Last year, 21 students from Kennedy High School participated, along with two students from Iowa BIG as part of team collaborations.
Volunteer Engagement – CRCSD has seen significant community involvement, with 381 volunteers supporting JA programs and experiential learning activities.

Image caption: CRCSD students explore career paths and connect with local professionals at JA Career Inspire, gaining valuable insights into their future opportunities!

Looking Ahead

We are excited about the continued growth and impact of Junior Achievement programs in CRCSD. As we expand opportunities for students, we look forward to empowering even more young minds with essential financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurial skills.

Thank you, Cedar Rapids Community School District, for your commitment to preparing students for a bright future! Stay tuned for next month’s School District Spotlight as we continue to celebrate the incredible impact of our district partners.

Interested in getting involved? Learn more about volunteering with Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa today! Volunteer Here

Want to support JA’s mission? Consider making a donation to help bring JA programming to more students! Donate Here

Interested in bringing JA to your school district? Contact Nate Klein at nklein@jaeasterniowa.org for more information!