DiscontinuedAccording to JSA's closure announcement as cited by Wikipedia, JSA announced on August 2, 2024 that it would close and ceased operations on August 31, 2024; the summer school ended with it, and jsa.org no longer resolves. Students interested in government and politics can look at USSYP or California Boys State and Girls State.

Top Summer Programs LibraryPublic Affairs, Leadership and Languages

Junior State of America Summer SchoolJSA

Junior State of America (JSA), a student civic organization founded in 1934, ran a summer school at Georgetown, Princeton and Stanford with courses in political science, economics, history and speech. The organization closed on August 31, 2024, and the summer school ended with it.

Closure details ↗

A young woman speaking into a microphone at a conference table
Photo: Stiven Rivera / Pexels

JSA at a Glance

Host
Junior State of America (JSA), a student civic organization founded in 1934 that ceased operations on August 31, 2024
Field
Political science, economics, history and public speaking
Grades and age
Discontinued; no longer enrolls students in any grade
Citizenship and residency
Discontinued; no longer enrolls students. Before closing, it also drew students from outside the US.
Cost
Discontinued, so there are no fees; past tuition could not be verified from official sources and is not listed here.
Dates and format
Before closing, each session ran three to four weeks, with students taking two college-level courses for high school credit at Georgetown University, Princeton University or Stanford University.
Application dates
Applications are closed.
Application materials
Applications are no longer accepted.
Size and selectivity
Discontinued; there is no current size or admissions data.

Checked against public sources on 2026-10-06 · en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junior_State_of_America

About JSA

Junior State of America (JSA) was a student civic organization founded in 1934. Its summer school ran three- to four-week sessions in which students took two college-level courses in political science, economics, history or speech at Georgetown University, Princeton University or Stanford University and could earn high school credit.

According to JSA’s closure announcement as cited by Wikipedia, the organization announced on August 2, 2024 that it would close and ceased operations on August 31, 2024. The summer school ended with it, and jsa.org no longer resolves. This page relies on third-party sources and a 2019 US Department of the Interior press release.

A student newspaper reported that some former JSA students later founded Civic Leaders of America (CLA), but the report does not mention a summer school. EDUBUS recommends that students interested in government and politics look at USSYP or California Boys State and Girls State, and at LEDA if they qualify.

How to Apply to JSA

  • Old descriptions of the JSA Summer School still appear online and are out of date. If you see a program recruiting under the JSA name, verify who runs it first.
  • High school students interested in government, politics and public service can look at USSYP or California Boys State and Girls State in this library; students who meet the citizenship and income rules can also consider LEDA.
FeatureSummer Programs Recommended by MIT AdmissionsMIT Admissions lists 23 selective summer programs on its website. Each one is in this library, with eligibility, cost and selectivity.

JSA: Frequently Asked Questions

Can Irvine students still sign up for the JSA Summer School?

No. JSA ceased operations on August 31, 2024, the summer school ended with it, and jsa.org no longer resolves. Any JSA Summer School information an Irvine student finds online is out of date.

Why did JSA close?

According to JSA's closure announcement as cited by Wikipedia, the reasons were reduced student participation and rising costs. The organization announced its closure on August 2, 2024 and ceased operations on August 31, 2024.

What are the alternatives for Irvine students interested in politics and debate?

USSYP, in this library, is for juniors and seniors who hold student leadership positions; California Boys State and Girls State take students recommended by their schools. Irvine public high school juniors from households earning $90,000 or less can also consider LEDA.

Did any organization replace JSA?

A student newspaper reported that some former JSA students founded Civic Leaders of America (CLA) three days after the closure was announced. The report does not mention a summer school, so contact the organization directly before taking part.

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Sources3 sources · checked 2026-10-06

Photo from Pexels, illustrating the category.

  1. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junior_State_of_America
  2. threepennypress.org/news/2024/11/29/jsa-dissolved-launching-a-new-movement
  3. doi.gov/oia/press/interior-announces-327022-support-junior-state-america-program-students-us-insular-areas

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