We celebrated the grand opening of the JA Discovery Center of Greater Dalton in early March, and we welcomed the first students into the beautiful space the week after!
This new hybrid facility, the fourth JA Discovery Center in the state of Georgia, will serve more than 13,000 students throughout the northwest Georgia region. It’s located on the campus of Hammond Creek Middle School.
Middle school students from Dalton Public Schools, Calhoun City Schools, Gordon County Schools, Murray County Schools and Whitfield 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.
Students from Dalton Middle School work in Georgia United Credit Union storefront.
This project was made possible through the partnership with Dalton Public Schools, lead sponsor Engineered Floors, and the following local and regional partners: Alliant Health Plans, Chick-fil-A Northwest Georgia Operators, City of Dalton, Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia, Dalton State College, Dalton Utilities OptiLink, Dorsett Industries, Engineered Floors, First Bank of Dalton, Ford of Dalton, Georgia Northwestern Technical College, Georgia Power, Georgia United Credit Union, Hamilton Healthcare System, Marketing Alliance Group, Mercedes-Benz USA, Shaw Industries, Starr Mathews, Textile, Rubber and Chemical Company, and United Way of Northwest Georgia.
A student from Christian Heritage School is sworn in as Mayor of JA BizTown.
After decades of programming in the northwest Georgia region, we are thrilled to have this experiential physical space and to offer this premier experience to our students.
The impact of these experiences go far beyond their day with us. Students are exposed to careers they may have never heard of and get a glimpse of adulthood that stays with them. Their time at JA Discovery Centers helps them understand the connection between education and their futures in a way that becomes real for them.
We are so excited for our students to have access to this facility. To be able to discover things they’ve never imagined, and to see what those discoveries lead to. Together, as a community, we’re empowering the next generation to thrive.
JA BizTown taught us to vote, how to handle finances, how to organize a business, how to market and advertise, and how to save money. All of you were very helpful while we were handling our business. Thank you for allowing us to come to the Discovery Center to learn about business and finance! - Student, Christian Heritage School
Dalton Middle School students working in Ford of Dalton.