JA Stock Market Challenge

Put your investing knowledge to the test at JA Stock Market Challenge. High school students complete JA Take Stock in Your Future to learn the fundamentals of investing in the stock market to prepare for the event. This is a county-wide event that welcomes students across the San Diego region

This challenge provides hands-on practice in investing in the stock market and developing long-term investing strategies. Students understand how investing can be a tool for growing wealth and achieving future financial goals, from home ownership to retirement.

The 2026 JA Stock Market Challenge will take place on Wednesday, March 11.

For more information about JA Stock Market Challenge, please contact Nancy Quidachay at nquidachay@jasandiego.org.

JA Stock Market Challenge

JA Stock Market Challenge

Put your investing knowledge to the test at JA Stock Market Challenge. High school students complete JA Take Stock in Your Future to learn the fundamentals of investing in the stock market to prepare for the event. This is a county-wide event that welcomes students across the San Diego region

This challenge provides hands-on practice in investing in the stock market and developing long-term investing strategies. Students understand how investing can be a tool for growing wealth and achieving future financial goals, from home ownership to retirement.

The 2026 JA Stock Market Challenge will take place on Wednesday, March 11.

For more information about JA Stock Market Challenge, please contact Nancy Quidachay at nquidachay@jasandiego.org.

JA Rising Innovators Expo

Schools participating in JA Company Program or other JA entrepreneurship curricula are eligible to bring students to compete at the JA Rising Innovators Expo. Students will showcase their business solutions with local professionals and peers in a tradeshow. Top student companies will pitch their businesses to a panel of San Diego business leaders, competing in the JA Company of the Year Competition or JA Social Innovation Challenge.

This learning experience empowers high school students to address challenges in their community through business and teaches them practical skills required to conceptualize, capitalize, and manage their own business venture. They learn how to think with an entrepreneurial mindset, strengthening their problem-solving and leadership skills that drive future success in any career pathway.

The 2026 JA Rising Innovators Expo will take place on Thursday, April 23 at the UCSD Park & Market.

Students to apply 21st-century skills—creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and communication—while demonstrating entrepreneurial thinking. Student businesses are evaluated on company performance and product/service innovation as well as the achievements and the team’s reflection and understanding of the decisions, strategies, and actions that drove their results.

Students conceptualize and refine innovative business ideas aimed at improving and making an impact in their community.  JA Social Innovation Challenge encourages students to explore ways in which business can be a solution for real-world challenges. Students must demonstrate a clear understanding of the local business landscape and to create a thoughtful and strategic business plan.

For more information about the competition, please contact Nancy Quidachay at nquidachay@jasandiego.org.

JA Rising Innovators Expo

JA Rising Innovators Expo

Schools participating in JA Company Program or other JA entrepreneurship curricula are eligible to bring students to compete at the JA Rising Innovators Expo. Students will showcase their business solutions with local professionals and peers in a tradeshow. Top student companies will pitch their businesses to a panel of San Diego business leaders, competing in the JA Company of the Year Competition or JA Social Innovation Challenge.

This learning experience empowers high school students to address challenges in their community through business and teaches them practical skills required to conceptualize, capitalize, and manage their own business venture. They learn how to think with an entrepreneurial mindset, strengthening their problem-solving and leadership skills that drive future success in any career pathway.

The 2026 JA Rising Innovators Expo will take place on Thursday, April 23 at the UCSD Park & Market.

Students to apply 21st-century skills—creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and communication—while demonstrating entrepreneurial thinking. Student businesses are evaluated on company performance and product/service innovation as well as the achievements and the team’s reflection and understanding of the decisions, strategies, and actions that drove their results.

Students conceptualize and refine innovative business ideas aimed at improving and making an impact in their community.  JA Social Innovation Challenge encourages students to explore ways in which business can be a solution for real-world challenges. Students must demonstrate a clear understanding of the local business landscape and to create a thoughtful and strategic business plan.

For more information about the competition, please contact Nancy Quidachay at nquidachay@jasandiego.org.

JA Fellows

Grades 11-12
1-2 semesters

JA Fellows connects students to San Diego’s business community through a year-long leadership and work-based learning experience. Students meet each school day and develop the foundational knowledge of the local economy, personal finance, career pathways, and work readiness. The cohort model provides students with social capital and financial literacy through real-world experiences directly connected to San Diego’s industries.

Since 2025, the JA Fellows Program has been funded in party by a City of San Diego Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). These funds are provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to the City of San Diego. 

Participating school(s)
Lincoln High School
Chula Vista Learning Community Charter High School

Students participating in JA Fellows will:

  • Receive mentorship from industry professionals based on the student interests
  • Have the option to partake in paid internships and work-based learning opportunities
  • Learn about career pathways through career panels and job shadows
  • Access scholarship opportunities to pursue higher education

If you are interested in bringing JA Fellows to your class or school, please contact Hanna Jensen at hjensen@jasandiego.org.

JA Fellows

Grades 11-12
1-2 semesters

JA Fellows connects students to San Diego’s business community through a year-long leadership and work-based learning experience. Students meet each school day and develop the foundational knowledge of the local economy, personal finance, career pathways, and work readiness. The cohort model provides students with social capital and financial literacy through real-world experiences directly connected to San Diego’s industries.

Since 2025, the JA Fellows Program has been funded in party by a City of San Diego Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). These funds are provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to the City of San Diego. 

Participating school(s)
Lincoln High School
Chula Vista Learning Community Charter High School

Students participating in JA Fellows will:

  • Receive mentorship from industry professionals based on the student interests
  • Have the option to partake in paid internships and work-based learning opportunities
  • Learn about career pathways through career panels and job shadows
  • Access scholarship opportunities to pursue higher education

If you are interested in bringing JA Fellows to your class or school, please contact Hanna Jensen at hjensen@jasandiego.org.

JA Fellows

Grades 11-12
1-2 semesters

JA Fellows connects students to San Diego’s business community through a year-long leadership and work-based learning experience. Students meet each school day and develop the foundational knowledge of the local economy, personal finance, career pathways, and work readiness. The cohort model provides students with social capital and financial literacy through real-world experiences directly connected to San Diego’s industries.

Since 2025, the JA Fellows Program has been funded in party by a City of San Diego Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). These funds are provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to the City of San Diego. 

Participating school(s)
Lincoln High School
Chula Vista Learning Community Charter High School

Students participating in JA Fellows will:

  • Receive mentorship from industry professionals based on the student interests
  • Have the option to partake in paid internships and work-based learning opportunities
  • Learn about career pathways through career panels and job shadows
  • Access scholarship opportunities to pursue higher education

If you are interested in bringing JA Fellows to your class or school, please contact Hanna Jensen at hjensen@jasandiego.org.