JA BizTown® Returns to Palm Beach County: Preparing Students for What’s Next

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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches & Treasure Coast (JAPBTC), in partnership with the School District of Palm Beach County (SDPBC), is bringing JA BizTown® back to local students in January 2027.

This exciting return is made possible with support from The Hand Foundation and through a community partnership with the City of Greenacres, which has provided the use of Greenacres Community Hall to host the initial pilot program.

The pilot year will serve nearly 1,400 fifth-grade students from 14 local schools. Before stepping into BizTown, students will complete 12 teacher-led classroom lessons, giving them the opportunity to build their knowledge before putting it into practice inside a custom-built, 16-storefront mini-city. Participating schools include Belle Glade Elementary, Citrus Cove Elementary, Diamond View Elementary, Dwight D. Eisenhower K-8, Forest Hill Elementary, Freedom Shores Elementary, Frontier Elementary, Glade View Elementary, Gove Elementary, Grove Park Elementary, Hope Centennial Elementary, Liberty Park Elementary, West Gate Elementary, and Westward Elementary.

Learning by Doing: Inside the BizTown Experience

JA BizTown gives elementary students the chance to experience what it is like to run a business, manage money and play a role in their community. During the hands-on experience, students will:

• Take on real-world roles: Apply for jobs, earn paychecks and take on responsibilities ranging from business managers and retail employees to city officials.
• Put financial literacy into practice: Open bank accounts, manage personal and business budgets, write checks and participate in simulated commerce.
• Connect classroom learning to the real world: Practice skills aligned with Florida academic standards in mathematics, reading, financial literacy and workforce readiness.

“The return of JA BizTown reflects the power of partnership and a shared commitment to preparing students for what’s next,” said Katie Thompson, President & CEO of Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches & Treasure Coast. “We are incredibly grateful to The Hand Foundation for their generous support, the City of Greenacres for providing a home for our 16 storefronts, and our school district leadership for helping make this possible. Together, we are giving students the opportunity to build real-world skills and see how what they learn in the classroom connects to their future.”

The return of JA BizTown also supports SDPBC’s strategic initiative to expand career pathways and experiential learning opportunities for students. Looking beyond the initial pilot at Greenacres Community Hall, SDPBC Superintendent Michael J. Burke has signed a Letter of Intent confirming the district’s commitment to identifying dedicated space on school district property for permanent JA BizTown Centers in the future.

Save the Date: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Date: Wednesday, January 6, 2027
Time: 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Location: Greenacres Community Hall, 500 Perry Avenue, Greenacres, FL 33463

Get Involved

JA BizTown comes to life because of community support. Local businesses and civic leaders can get involved through storefront sponsorships, employee volunteer opportunities and corporate partnerships.

To learn more about JA BizTown or find out how your organization can help bring this experience to local students, email KBates@JuniorAchievement.com.