Get ready for a year-long journey that takes you from the storefronts of a local city to the furthest reaches of the globe! In the first semester, 4th through 6th graders will step into the boots of an entrepreneur and citizen as we prepare for the JA BizTown simulation. You’ll learn to run a business, manage a bank account, and work as a team to keep a modern economy thriving. In the second semester, we "zoom out" to discover how the world became connected in the first place. Using fascinating historical maps, we will trace ancient trade routes across the oceans, follow a lone canoe’s journey in Paddle-to-the-Sea, and explore the incredible indigenous history and industries of the Pacific Northwest. From signing your first paycheck to mapping the high seas, you’ll discover how geography and trade have shaped our world from the beginning of time to today! To make these lessons even more real, you'll also have the chance to join us for optional in-person historical field trips in the Portland-area throughout the year that bring our studies to life.

Calling all 7th & 8th graders! Get ready for a year-long journey that takes you from the financial choices of adulthood to the complex trade networks that power our global economy!
In the first semester, you will step into the life of a young professional as we prepare for the JA Finance Park simulation. You’ll build a foundation by learning to manage a real-world budget, navigating the worlds of credit and investing, and discovering how your career choices today shape your quality of life tomorrow. Whether you are learning with us in person or online, you’ll have the chance to put your skills to the test at the end of 1st semester! Online students can join us on-site in Hillsboro for the live simulation day or sign up for our virtual simulation day from home (about 3 hours required for the virtual simulation day).
In the second semester, we explore Global Trade. Using fascinating historical maps, we will trace the shift from ancient Silk Road caravans to the ocean trade routes that connected the continents. We’ll examine the power of cartography, follow the industrial pulse of the Great Lakes in Paddle-to-the-Sea, and dive deep into the unique indigenous economic systems and labor history of our own Pacific Northwest.

TNW students in grades 9–12 are invited to take their financial literacy and life-planning skills to the next level with Junior Achievement’s JA Finance Park Advanced program! This classroom-based experience guides students through essential personal finance concepts, career exploration, and long-term decision-making, all built around real-life financial planning scenarios. Over the course of the class, students will explore topics such as setting financial goals, navigating taxes and credit, saving and investing, and understanding how career choices affect future income and lifestyle goals.
Throughout the unit, students engage in lessons that help them analyze the financial consequences of life decisions and build the skills they need to plan for their future. They’ll select a career path, define their future lifestyle expectations, and learn how to create and manage a realistic budget that reflects long-term goals—going beyond one-month budgeting to consider life stages and financial independence.
The class culminates in an immersive JA Finance Park Advanced simulation on-site in Hillsboro where students work with trained volunteer guides to apply what they’ve learned. During the simulation, students make real-world financial choices related to career, housing, transportation, insurance, savings, and more, gaining insight into how education, income, and financial decisions impact their long-term well-being.
This unique experience equips students with the knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions as they transition into adulthood. One parent or community volunteer per four students is required for the hands-on simulation day. Weekly homework activities will be sent home to be completed with parents or guardians prior to class sessions and the end of semester final project simulation. Students should plan to attend each class and plan for 60 minutes of homework each week outside of class to be awarded .5 personal finance credit for this high school course as well as .5 HECPS credit.

In this course, you will dive into the world of creative technology by blending the art of cross-stitch with modern computer science. You will start by learning the fundamentals of electronics using copper tape and LEDs to build paper circuits, then move on to programming your own interactive art scene on paper. For quarter 4, you will transition to cross-stitching and figure out how to engineer your programmed circuits directly into fabric. By the end of the semester, you will have created unique pieces of smart art that combine handmade craftsmanship with fun, LED lights.

Let's do science together! This class will cover standards for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade science using hands-on, guided exploration and discovery. Generation Genius science curriculum will be used for this in-person class. Weekly at-home assignments will aim to connect what they see in the classroom and the life the students live at home. Minecraft Education Edition will be assigned occasionally for homework. There will be required readings at home and projects to complete and present to the class. Bring your curiosity and love of learning.

Let's do science together! This class will cover standards for 7th and 8th grade science using hands-on, guided exploration and discovery. Generation Genius science curriculum will be used for this in-person class. Weekly at-home assignments will aim to connect what they see in the classroom and the life the students live at home. Minecraft Education Edition will be assigned occasionally for homework. There will be required readings at home and projects to complete and present to the class. Bring your curiosity and love of learning.

FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics (FTC), is a collaborative, mentor-supported group of middle and high school students who design, build, and program a custom robot using metal parts, sensors, and advanced control systems. FTC offers a deep, sophisticated engineering experience where students take on real-world roles—such as mechanical designer, programmer, CAD modeler, communications lead, digital content manager, fundraising lead, or team strategist—while learning to work as a cohesive team. The team will fundraise throughout the year and give a presentation to a panel of judges at the annual competition.
This course will run for both semesters. Students will earn 1 CTE credit, .5 science credit and .5 ELA credit. Some homework will be required and participation in an all day event on one weekend day TBD.

Would you like to have extra middle school math support? Come in person once a week to practice math skills and problem solving in a group setting with real world problems. Using Generation Genius Math, we will explore fractions, decimals, percents, Algebraic expressions, polygons, probability, and more! During the week, students will practice their math skills individually by progressing through ALEKS math, a research-based online learning platform.
ALEKS helps students master course topics through a continuous cycle of mastery, knowledge retention, and positive feedback. Each student begins a new course with a unique set of knowledge and prerequisite gaps to fill. By determining the student's baseline of knowledge, ALEKS creates an individual and dynamic path to success where students learn and then master topics. The teacher will monitor learners’ progress through their individual ALEKS pathways, and adjust in class practice accordingly.

Come join us for a monthly nature walk on Portland’s West side. We will rotate locations of parks and have a nature topic to learn about and observe on our walk. We will meet in the parking lot of the park at 1:45 and have a short instructional time where students will learn about a nature topic. We will start our walk promptly at 2:00pm, so we will have ample time to explore and observe. The entire family is invited to join us. Parent participation is required. There is no cost for this club.