Programs

Junior Achievement Discovery Center

Empowering Future Leaders

Exciting News for Heartland and Crandall Communities

The First Junior Achievement Discovery Center in Texas

The Heartland Education Foundation is thrilled to announce the grand opening of the Junior Achievement Discovery Center, a groundbreaking educational experience that brings financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship to life for students in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. This marks the first Discovery Center in Texas and is located at the Raynes/Administration Building in Crandall Independent School District (CISD). Spanning an impressive 4,000 square feet, the center offers an interactive, hands-on learning environment designed to equip students with the essential skills they need to succeed in the real world.

A black and white icon of a magnifying glass and a pencil.

What is the Junior Achievement Discovery Center?

The Junior Achievement Discovery Center is a state-of-the-art educational facility designed to provide K-12 students with immersive, experiential learning opportunities focused on financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship. Through a series of simulated business and financial situations, students will gain practical knowledge about personal budgeting, career pathways, and managing real-life adult responsibilities.

By offering these interactive experiences, the center aims to help students develop the critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills needed to navigate their futures with confidence.


Program Highlights: Empowering Students to Own Their Future

The Discovery Center provides engaging, TEKS-aligned programs that align with Texas state educational standards. Students will participate in a range of activities designed to build essential skills in the following areas:

  • Personal Budgeting: Students will learn the importance of managing money, budgeting effectively, and making informed financial decisions.
  • Career Readiness: The center offers students insights into different career paths, helping them understand the skills required for success in various industries and how to prepare for the future workforce.
  • Entrepreneurship: Through hands-on simulations, students will explore the basics of starting and managing a business, developing skills that could lead to future entrepreneurial endeavors.
  • Real-Life Responsibilities: Students will experience what it’s like to manage adult responsibilities, including balancing finances, making career choices, and understanding the complexities of adult life.

Why This Discovery Center Matters for Heartland and Crandall Students

The Junior Achievement Discovery Center represents an incredible opportunity for students in the Heartland and Crandall communities to engage in interactive learning that goes beyond the traditional classroom experience. The center offers students the tools they need to:


  • Visualize Their Future Potential: By participating in real-world simulations, students can see firsthand how their decisions today can shape their futures.
  • Develop Critical Life Skills: Financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship are vital skills that will benefit students in every aspect of life.
  • Boost Confidence and Motivation:  As students engage in activities that allow them to solve problems and make decisions, they will gain the confidence to pursue their goals and take ownership of their futures.
A woman is talking to another woman in a room.

See the Kiosks Inside the Center

Supporting Your Child’s Future Success

The Heartland Education Foundation is proud to bring this innovative educational resource to our community, but we can’t do it alone. To ensure that every student in Heartland and Crandall has access to these valuable learning experiences, we invite families, local businesses, and community members to get involved and support the Junior Achievement Discovery Center. Together, we can help build a brighter future for our students.