Programs

No experience necessary. Passion required.

A student wearing a suit stands in front of a white board in a high school classroom for a youth democracy program.

JSA programs are designed to create unforgettable experiences and lifelong friendships.

Junior State of America is the starting point for lifelong engagement with the key issues that impact our lives at the local and national level. 

What We Offer

Learn, engage, and act through a variety of unique programming all year long.

  • Summer Experiences
  • School-Year Experiences
  • Events
  • Online Communities
  • Group of happy students standing arm in arm inside a cabin for a summer school youth democracy program.

    Summer Experiences

    Unique summer programs with curriculum tailored to themes of civic responsibility, media literacy, and women’s leadership. Meet today’s leaders and interact with an engaged cohort of your peers.

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    Highlights
    • Learn about key issues
    • Interact with industry leaders
    • Meet peers from all over the country
  • Group of three students dressed formally and waiting in line, with the first student speaking into a microphone for a leadership program.

    School-Year Experiences

    Students gain valuable citizenship skills and experience by organizing events, participating in and moderating thought talks and debates, activism initiatives, and running their own “governments” at the chapter, region, state, and national level.

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    Highlights
    • Students set the tone
    • Make lifelong friends
    • Gain speech and debate skills
    • Learn about government
    • Make a difference in your community
  • Group of high school students smiling and posing in front of flags inside at a leadership training event.

    Events

    Virtual and in-person experiences ranging from student-organized conferences and conventions to keynote speeches from influential local and national leaders in politics, government, education and business.

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    Highlights
    • Hone speech and debate skills
    • Meet political and business leaders
    • Get inspired
    • Find your passion
  • Group of students sitting with laptops and notebooks at desks in an auditorium for a democracy workshop.

    Online Communities

    New opportunities for students across JSA Nation to connect and find ideas for collaborating, volunteering, and activism.

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    Highlights
    • Share your JSA experience
    • Attend networking opportunities
    • Meet new friends
    • Find valuable resources

JSA has helped me become much more confident in all aspects of my life, and has led me to join things that I previously would have been way too scared to do.

Ellison A.
NorCal JSA
A group of students poses for a selfie on a college campus.
Summer Experience

Young Women’s Leadership Institute

An engaging, hands-on experience created to empower young women in their everyday lives. Students will hear directly from women leaders on a variety of topics.

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Ruth Bader Ginsberg Addresses JSA

From 2020: Ruth Bader Ginsburg addresses the Junior State of America in Washington, D.C. at an event planned and moderated by our students.
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