JA Biztown

For the past three years, the 6th grade class has had the privilege of participating in and learning about real-life experiences related to personal finances and future careers through Junior Achievement's Biztown experience. This year, our 6th graders applied for jobs and worked for the local organizations and businesses: Grand Rapids Community College, Bissel, Gordon’s Food Service, and Chick-fil-a. 

 

Leading up to our day at JA Biztown, the students spend 12 class periods devoted to preparation for Biztown. Through these classes, led by Janet Hulett, the students gained the skills and knowledge needed for their futures. Our students learned how to write a check and fill out a checkbook, the way money flows through the economy, setting prices for goods and services, supply and demand, and how to behave in a professional work environment. 

 

After all of the preparation, students were excited and ready to participate in a day at JA Biztown. While there, All Saints Academy joined with two other schools to make our day successful, working for companies such as Independent Bank, Meijer, Corewell Health, and running City Hall. Our day was quite the success - everyone paid off their bank loans and made a profit! Upon return to school, students spent time reflecting on their experience and Biztown - what they learned, felt prepared for, unprepared for, and shared any additional thoughts. The most common response was the ways in which they felt prepared for their job, but unprepared for the “real world” experiences, such as covering for someone while they were on break - not just completing their specific tasks, but having to step in for their teammates too. Maybe great lessons were learned, experiences had, and they definitely had fun along the way!

 

Thank you to our volunteers who made our day successful and to Janet Hulett for spending so much time with the 6th grade and preparing them well for their day at Biztown!