Junior Achievement to Open New Innovation Center at Lawrence High School on September 25
(Lawrence, Massachusetts) – Junior Achievement of Greater Boston is excited to announce the opening of its second JA Innovation Center in the region at Lawrence High School in Lawrence, Massachusetts. The center is being made possible through a partnership between Lawrence Public Schools, Lawrence High School, and Junior Achievement of Greater Boston. Funding for the center was provided by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Richard and Susan Smith Family Foundation, Staples, and philanthropic supporters of Junior Achievement’s programs in Lawrence. The center was designed pro bono by Studio G Architects and the facade was hand-painted by Elevated Thought, an art and social justice non-profit in Lawrence.
The JA Innovation Center @ LHS will serve as an extension of Lawrence High School’s pathways and elective courses. Working closely with the leadership and teachers at Lawrence High School, JA curriculum will be integrated into pathways and electives courses. Within the space, students will explore careers, develop essential technical skills, and cultivate a growth mindset. The space will also provide youth from across Lawrence and the Merrimack Valley a beautiful physical location where they can become entrepreneurs by gathering with peers and mentors, designing and manufacturing their products, and operating their startup businesses through Junior Achievement’s curriculum. The JA Innovation Center will host top-of-the-line machinery, equipment and design software for the designing, prototyping and manufacturing of products. Equipment includes 3D printers, laser cutters, vinyl cutters, embroidery and sewing machines, electronics, robotics equipment, hand and power tools, a heat press, and working/collaboration areas.
The partnership between JA and Lawrence High School underscores a shared dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of young people and the broader community. All 9th graders at LHS take a financial literacy course provided by JA. The 10th grade Business Pathway uses JA’s business-focused curriculum for their courses. Lawrence High School students have visited companies in Lawrence and Boston, sparking interest in careers and giving them a glimpse of a day in the life of those in the workforce. By combining resources and expertise, both organizations are committed to creating a supportive environment that encourages academic excellence and personal growth.
“As a proud Lawrencian, I am excited to bring Junior Achievement’s transformative programs to the bright youth of Lawrence as part of our strong partnership with Lawrence Public Schools and Lawrence High School,” said Radhames Nova, President and CEO of Junior Achievement of Greater Boston.
“Lawrence High School’s pathways give our students a unique early opportunity for in-depth career exploration, and the hands-on technical learning and skill development available in the JA Innovation Center will be a powerful new component,” said LPS Superintendent Ralph Carrero. “I look forward to seeing our Lancers in action there.”
Lawrence High School’s Head of School, Victor Caraballo-Anderson says, “The JA Innovation Center is a fantastic way to realize our critical portrait of graduate competencies of “collaboration” and “innovation.” Nothing says to a community that you care more than when you invest in it, in this case, the youth of Lawrence High School.”
About Junior Achievement of Greater Boston
Incorporated in Boston in 1950 as a regional JA organization, Junior Achievement of Greater Boston seeks to close the wealth and opportunity gaps for youth in key impact communities (currently Boston, Chelsea, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Quincy and Somerville) by creating middle school to career pathways, igniting youth entrepreneurship and preparing financially savvy youth. Junior Achievement of Greater Boston teaches young people to effectively manage their finances, build critical skills for the workforce, develop their entrepreneurial mindset and increase their confidence, all of which prepares them to succeed in our global economy and empowers them to break the cycle of poverty.
About Lawrence High School
Lawrence High School is a community of learners fully committed to nurturing and developing the skills and talents of our students that will be necessary for college and career readiness in the 21st century. The faculty at Lawrence High School provides students with a safe and positive learning environment in which the needs of our diverse student population are met through a variety of learning opportunities. Students will graduate from Lawrence High School as responsible, self- directed, lifelong learners who have a clear vision for their future, and who demonstrate perseverance, courage and professionalism in the face of adversity and are socially and civically engaged members of their community.
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