September 15, 2025
By MEALAND RAGLAND-HUDGINS
Rutherford County Schools
Elementary students from Rutherford County Schools will understand what it takes to run their own community when they visit JA BizTown this year.
Offered by Junior Achievement, the day-long experience in Nashville allows students in grades 4-6 to simulate a town, complete with restaurants, banks and a city hall. The goal is to help students connect classroom lessons to the world around them.
In the weeks leading up to their visit, students learn a variety of skills in the classroom, including financial literacy, career and work readiness, interpersonal skills and entrepreneurship. Before the trip, students apply for the type of job they want and are interviewed by various community members.
Christiana Elementary School recently hosted interviews for its fifth-grade students ahead of their trip.
“They were nervous about the interviews but they loved creating their resume and being able to share about themselves,” school counselor Jenny Thompson said.
Schools slated to participate this year are:
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· Blackman Elementary · Christiana Elementary |
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· Homer Pittard Campus School |
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· McFadden School of Excellence |
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· Rocky Fork Elementary |
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· Roy Waldron Elementary |
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· Rutherford County Virtual School |
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· Smyrna Elementary |
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· Smyrna Primary |
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· Stewartsboro Elementary |
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· Thurman Francis Arts Academy |