Richmond and Columbia county schools teamed up to build the Savannah River Region’s first Junior Achievement (JA) Discovery Center, spanning roughly 30,000 square feet. The Discovery Center, located in Columbia County School District’s Support Center, showcases two learning parks, JA Finance Park and JA BizTown, which will guide sixth and seventh graders through adult life simulations.
There will not be any fees associated with the program, however, students will go through 17 in-classroom lessons that will introduce them to business scenarios and operating criteria.
Through assigned life situations, JA Finance Park gives students the opportunity to manage a budget for housing, utilities, etc., and keep track of personal finance through loans and credit scores.
JA BizTown allows students to interact within an economy simulation where they will learn what it’s like to start and run a business and work a job. They will “earn (and spend!) a paycheck, pay taxes, vote for their elected officials for the day, and ultimately collaborate with their peers toward the common goal of paying back their start-up loan.” (georgia.ja.org/jabiztown)
The JA Discovery Center is located at 4395 River Watch Parkway. Other Junior Academy Discovery Center locations include Atlanta, North Georgia, Savannah, Gwinnett, Dalton and Cumming.
Photos from the Junior Academy of the CSRA ribbon cutting on January 11, 2024
Renderings courtesy of Junior Achievement of Augusta
