JA Discovery Center
The Power of JA for DC Youth
The JA Discovery Center, set in an historic building in the dynamic and diverse Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC, will become the new headquarters of JA of Greater Washington and exponentially expand our partnership with District of Columbia Public Schools.
Thousands of Greater Washington area students will come through the doors of this flagship center of education innovation. Real-world work readiness, entrepreneurial and financial skills will come to life through hands-on interactive experiences, all led by volunteers from business and the greater community.
Expanding our Reach
10,000
Students annually will see real-world skills brought to life through interactive experiences
2,500
Volunteers from business and the greater community will engage with students
JA Discovery Center Experiences
JA BizTown®
Upper Elementary
Students test-drive the future by taking on the roles of citizen, worker and consumer in their very own simulated community and economy – connecting classroom learning with real world experiences.
JA Finance Park®
Middle & High School
Students get a crash course in the realities of earning, spending and saving money as they navigate real-life careers and situations.
Entrepreneurship Programs
High School
In the JA Company Program and JA Entrepreneurship Summit, students will experience first-hand what it takes to conceptualize, build and manage a business.
The Power of JA
Alumni of Junior Achievement
Experience Real-World Success
30%
More likely to have a college degree
20%
Higher earnings
2.5X
More likely to start a business
About the Building
The building on the National Register of Historic Places, also known as Embassy Building No. 10, was completed in 1930 to host a foreign mission, but was never used for that purpose. After serving as a boarding house during the Depression and ultimately as the home of the DC Department of Parks and Recreation, it has been unoccupied since 2012. Now it will be a vibrant center for learning in one of DC’s most culturally diverse neighborhoods.
Investing in DC Students
As a demonstration of its commitment to the JA model of hands-on, high-impact learning for DC students, the Mayor’s Office and City Council approved an initial $10 million investment in the JA Discovery Center. These funds will be used to bring the building up to code so renovations of the facility serving students in DC public and charter schools can begin.