Junior Achievement Discovery Center

Who is Junior Achievement?

JA of Georgia’s mission is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy.  By bridging the business and education communities with hands-on experiential programs focused on business, entrepreneurship, career-readiness, and financial literacy, JA aims to achieve the following overarching goals: 

• To motivate, engage and inspire students to recognize the value and relevance of education, and to make informed decisions about their own personal education and career pathways. 
• To equip students with the key career-readiness skills that will drive success in any environment, and to invigorate innovative, creative and entrepreneurial thinking among our youth. 
• To develop a financially literate generation which understands key business principles and makes responsible financial management decisions. 

Visit JA’s website to learn more http://www.georgia.ja.org/.

WSOB Student Volunteers are an essential piece of impacting middle school (grades 6-8) students. WSOB volunteers mentor and coach to small group of 6-8 middle school students through two 1-day simulations. WSOB volunteers share their life and college experiences to make learning authentic for the students. In JA BizTown, WSOB volunteers guide students as they make decisions around running their business, earning a paycheck, and generating a profit. In JA Finance Park, WSOB volunteers will help students make the connection between their education and career, career and income, and ultimately their income and lifestyle, helping them successfully manage a monthly household budget.

What is a JA Discovery Center?

The JA Discovery Centers blend key components of education to create state-of-the-art learning facilities where students apply concepts, they learn in the classroom in a 360-degree authentic and immersive experience. Upon arrival students become a part of a simulated version of their hometown within the JA BizTown® and JA Finance Park® programs. Here, students work alongside their peers and adult volunteers as they develop a greater understanding of financial concepts, build 21st century skills, and foster their entrepreneurial spirit.

Watch the JA Discovery Center video to learn more and see the learning in action.

What is JA BizTown?

An unmatched experience where 6th grade students interact within a simulated economy and take on the challenge of running a business. Students discover the intricacies of being a professional and member of the community, including the abundance of opportunities around them.  The program combines in-class lessons taught by teachers with a volunteer led simulation that is aligned with the Georgia Standards of Excellence.

What is JA Finance Park?

An immersive program where 7th/8th grade students have the rare opportunity to experience their personal financial futures first-hand. Students develop the skills to successfully navigate today’s complex economic environment and discover how decisions today can impact tomorrow. The program combines in-class lessons taught by teachers with a volunteer led simulation that is aligned with the Georgia Standards of Excellence.

Are These Programs Required for Local Students?

Middle school students from Calhoun City Schools, Dalton County Schools, Gordon County Schools and Murray County Schools will all experience the in-class curriculum and simulation experiences of JA BizTown and JA Finance Park. The goal is to provide every child, no matter their background, the opportunity to develop skills to become financially independent and responsible.