Student-run city opens in Discovery Gateway

Jordan Ridge Elementary fifth graders got some real-life "work" experience Tuesday during the grand opening of the mini municipality Junior Achievement City (J.A. City) located in the Discovery Gateway.

J.A. City is an interactive learning experience offering Utah students the opportunity to became citizens, consumers and workers in a free-market economy. J.A. City is set up like an actual community. There is a City Hall, Town Square and businesses. Students become employees for a day as retail sales professionals, accountants, business managers, medical professionals, TV and newspaper reporters and even a mayor.

J.A. City offers students two different curriculums, a fifth-grade J.A. Biz Town, which teaches real-life work experience and an eighth-grade J.A. Finance Park, which focuses on managing personal finances helping students prepare to make informed decisions after they graduate high school.

Before coming to J.A. City, the students spend four weeks preparing with a new J.A. curriculum taught by their classroom teachers. Students read classified ads to locate a job, went through the interview process and once hired, received job training to prepare to take their place in the J.A. City community.

"I wanted to be a bank teller," said student Nichole Bennett. "I like money, and I like math. It's been a lot of fun seeing people. Everyone has to come here because this is where the money is."

J.A. City has the appearance of a real marketplace. Each business uses the actual logo of their sponsor (AlphaGraphics, Deseret Morning News, First Security Bank, Larry H. Miller Toyota, Merit Medical, Prows Development and Construction, Questar Corp., Qwest, RC Willey, Rocky Mountain Power, Salt Lake City School District, SelectHealth, Simmons Media, Smith's Marketplace and Zions Bank.)

"The kids come in the morning feeling quite timid, but by the afternoon they are very confident in their jobs and in running the city smoothly without much help from adults," said Lindsie Smith, director of communication and marketing for Junior Achievement of Utah. "It's really incredible."

Matt Lewis, the student leasing agent for J.A. Realty, was anxious over unpaid bills as the end of the day approached.

"You don't pay, we kick you out, but if you pay, good luck to you," said Lewis.

"We are excited about it," said Jeri Bowman, a Jordan River fifth-grade teacher. "This is real life experience."

Spencer F. Eccles, grand marshal of J.A. City and a longtime supporter of Junior Achievement, attended the grand opening.

"We're proud of this program because it teaches the free-enterprise system," said Eccles. "That's what drives the economy and these students are so turned on and tuned in."

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