Junior Achievement of Polk County

04/20/2026

Starting this fall, in partnership with Polk County Public Schools, Polk County students will visit the JA Barnett Family Discovery Center to learn how their lessons in the classroom apply to the real world and how to use those skills to better impact their local community.

Through unique learning experiences like Muma BizTown and Finance Park presented by MIDFLORIDA Credit Union, students will learn what it means to run a business, manage employees, register to vote, pay taxes, budget, save, and spend. All within a simulated learning environment built just for them.

This momentous occasion is also a milestone for Junior Achievement. This is the first location to feature ALL of JA's experiential learning experiences, bringing the entire JA student journey to more than 20,000 students every year.

We are extremely grateful to our amazing partners, donors, and supporters who have championed this from the start, helping this dream become a reality for the future of students in Polk County. 🎉

To learn more about the Discovery Center, visit: https://qrkit.co/RRQ9ot
To view pictures from the day, visit: https://lnkd.in/eDK27pZH

04/10/2026

Thank you to Ron Parks for investing in the future of Polk County students through a Legacy Brick at the JA Barnett Family Discovery Center.
Each brick represents a lasting commitment to opportunity, financial literacy, and real world learning for the next generation.

Want to leave your mark? Click below and join us in building something that will impact students for years to come.
https://www.japolk.org/donate

Leave your legacy at the JA Barnett Family Discovery Center! For a $500 contribution, you can purchase an engraved Legacy Brick that will become a lasting part of our center. Celebrate your impact and inspire future generations today.

Learn more at: https://www.japolk.org/donate

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03/31/2026

⭐️Historical Day for Polk County Students!⭐️

This week, Junior Achievement & Polk County Public Schools broke ground on the JA Barnett Family Discovery Center, soon to empower more than 20,000 Polk County students per year through learning experiences that help connect what students learn in the classroom to the real world!

Starting this fall, every day students will visit the Discovery Center's Muma BizTown and Finance Park presented by MIDFLORIDA Credit Union to learn what it means to earn, budget, lead, and build something of their own. Thanks to our trades partners, students will also be exposed to current careers that are in demand here in Polk County — helping close the workforce gap by connecting young people to the skilled trades before they ever leave the classroom.

A heartfelt thank-you to our incredible partners and to Polk County Public Schools for your dedication to every student who walks through these doors.

To learn more about the discovery center, visit: https://qrkit.co/RRQ9ot

To view pictures from the day, visit: https://lightroom.adobe.com/shares/e87c7dd7ee494a20983d66627d34b967