(The J. L. West Business Center which was located at
 4066 Kingsridge Road in Fort Worth)

Beginning of JA in Fort Worth

Junior Achievement was organized in Fort Worth in 1956, with 19 companies and 285 students. The original JA Evening Program allowed high school students to own and operate a miniature business while gaining practical experience under the guidance of volunteers from the business community. Junior Achievement company members sold stock, elected officers, developed and manufactured a product, sold the product, and if successful, paid stock dividends. After 30 weeks of operation, the companies liquidated. New companies formed each fall. Originally, the JA Business Center was located over the Greyhound Bus station in downtown Fort Worth until a fire destroyed our offices, which resulted in building a new facility in Southwest Fort Worth. Our new home was named the James L. West Junior Achievement Business Center for Mr. West, then President of Tandy Corporation, who made a generous contribution to the building campaign. Junior Achievement also operated the evening program at our building in Arlington, and another facility at the Bedford Boys Ranch in HEB.

It was during 1976, that we added the Project Business program. Project Business was a subsidiary of Junior Achievement, that introduced middle school students to business. A business consultant visited the classroom and provided students with "real world" business experiences.

In 1982, we piloted a new in-school high school program call Applied Economics. The curriculum focused on the fundamental concepts of micro-, macro-, and international economics.

The Elementary School Program was introduced in the mid 1980’s in response to new educational trends. Students who participated in Junior Achievement’s elementary school programs, had a greater comprehension of economic and business concepts and strengthened their business skills.

Subsequently, programs have been added each year to enhance the Junior Achievement in-school programs. See the section titled "Local Programs" for more information on the programs we currently offer.