Junior Achievement of Southern Massachusetts presented to the Taunton School Committee, describing ongoing partnerships that place high school students as classroom leaders and offer free in-school programs in financial literacy, career readiness and entrepreneurship.

Jeff Pelletier, JA president and CEO, told the committee the organization serves roughly 4,000–5,000 young people annually across the region and provides its school programming at no charge. ‘‘Everything we do for schools and young people is a 100% free,’’ Pelletier said, noting partners such as Bristol County Savings Bank and Santander Bank.

Pelletier and Jesse McPhail highlighted the JA company program at Taunton High School where students form real businesses; the program includes mentorship, curriculum and competition opportunities such as the Titan Business Challenge at UMass Dartmouth. High school students trained as ‘‘High School Heroes’’ taught lessons at EPOL (E. Paul Elementary) as part of JA Day; student speakers Taylor Silvera and others described classroom experiences and the confidence-building value of teaching younger students.

Taylor Silvera said being involved in the company program and JA Day gave students practical business and teaching experience and eased startup funding concerns: the JA company program provides seed funding for student ventures. The committee accepted the presentation and thanked JA and school staff for the partnership.

The district and JA continue to expand programming: Pelletier noted a regional youth summit planned for May with 400–500 participants and scholarship support of about $8,000 annually for student entrepreneurs. Committee members praised the student presenters for their poise and the practical learning JA brings to district classrooms.