Real-World Connections at JA BizTown

On April 11, our St. Agnes and St. Dominic 5th grade students stepped out of the classroom for a taste of the "real world" as they participated in Junior Achievement (JA) BizTown. BizTown combines in-class learning with a day-long visit to a simulated town located in the JA building on Madison Avenue here in Memphis.

BizTown is an immersive learning experience, designed to help students understand the value of different roles in the community-as citizens, workers, and consumers. As BizTown participants, students run everything- from operating banks to managing restaurants, to serving as town mayor. Prior to their day at BizTown, students and their teachers spent several weeks preparing, applying critical-thinking skills, problem solving, and decision making within a simulated economy.

“In the eight weeks leading up to Simulation Day, students were fully immersed in hands-on, purpose-driven learning designed to bring Social Studies to life,” said Marissa House, SAA 5^th grade Social Studies teacher. “Each day, students engaged in structured lessons, interactive activities, and real-world role-play that deepened their understanding of economic systems.

“They began to truly grasp how their knowledge can shape and influence a community. The excitement, ownership, and confidence they displayed during the simulation showed just how much they had grown—not just academically, but as thoughtful, capable citizens.”

St. Agnes 5th grader Gracie Patterson was elected Mayor of BizTown. When asked why she thought she would be a good mayor, she said: “I am organized, and I can take responsibility. I can also speak in front of crowds so I can give speeches.”

As the mayor she had many responsibilities on the actual simulation day. Gracie shared one surprise she faced that day: “Everybody wanted to sue each other-I did NOT expect that!” When asked about her favorite part of the day, she said, “I enjoyed visiting all the different businesses and recognizing the ‘Quality Business of the Day’ and ‘Good Citizen of the Day.’”

After interviewing, SDS student Robert Daush earned the role of CEO of First Horizon Bank. He said, “I wanted the First Horizon job because I am I really good at math AND I like money.” His favorite thing about BizTown was “having actual bank work to do-and feeling what it might be like in the real world.”

“BizTown is always one of the highlights of the year. As soon as we started preparing in January, the boys really got excited,” 5^th grade Social Studies teacher Jacob Reeves shared. “They looked forward to interviewing and finding out what job they would have and then worked hard to get ready for their roles.

“I would say BizTown 2025 was a great success! I am very proud of how hard the boys worked during the simulation, and I thought Mayor Patterson was amazing. The parents were also very involved and excited to see their kids in action.”

The JA BizTown program supports the values of leadership, teamwork, and responsible citizenship we instill in our students, with attention to the soft skills that lead to success in the workplace. The goal is to make sure students see how what they learn in the classroom connects to the world beyond it.