Hamilton High School’s 9th-grade students recently took an eye-opening step toward financial independence through a hands-on learning experience at Junior Achievement (JA) Finance Park. This innovative program combines classroom education with real-world financial decision-making, helping students grasp the importance of budgeting, personal finance, and career planning.
At Junior Achievement of Michigan Great Lakes, students were assigned a simulated adult identity, complete with a career, salary, and family structure. With this information, they navigated a realistic financial simulation, where they had to create and manage a household budget while making crucial decisions about expenses such as housing, transportation, groceries, insurance, and entertainment.
The experience proved to be both educational and engaging for students. “I’m learning how to budget and make better financial decisions for when I’m older, so I don’t blow all my money or get into debt,” said freshman Izzy Irvin. Colin Johr, a Hamilton High School freshman, who was assigned the role of a blue-collar worker with a spouse and one child, noted how dual incomes helped manage expenses but also required careful budgeting for necessities like groceries and internet services.
This year, Hamilton High School integrated personal finance education into its economics curriculum, ensuring that all students receive fundamental financial literacy training. The JA Finance Park experience supports this initiative by providing students with an immersive, hands-on application of the concepts they learn in class.
Hamilton parents and community volunteers played a vital role in guiding students through the process. Many expressed their enthusiasm for the program, recognizing its practical benefits. “I wish we had this when I was growing up," said Hamilton parent, Shawn Weber. "This is a great experience for kids to understand what they’ll have to account for as they become adults."
JA Finance Park also encouraged students to think about their future, prompting discussions on topics such as credit scores, loan interest rates, taxes, and the cost of higher education. One student reflected on the value of purchasing a reliable used car instead of taking on debt for a new one, demonstrating an early understanding of financial responsibility.
Hamilton High School is among the first in the area to participate in JA Finance Park, marking the beginning of what promises to be a valuable partnership in preparing students for financial independence. As financial literacy becomes an increasingly essential life skill, Hamilton Community Schools is committed to equipping students with the knowledge they need to make informed, responsible financial decisions in the future.
