3DE: An Uncommon Cure for Education

January 13, 2023

From writer and director Andy Houraihine, A Cure for the Common Classroom “explores what’s possible when schools evolve from antiquated process to modern purpose.” One of the students featured, Jabari Courtney, attended Banneker High School near Atlanta, which includes the business/STEM magnet program, 3DE by Junior Achievement.

“I’m a business student, I’m an academic student, and I’m an arts student,” Jabari says in the documentary. “I feel like those are all parts of who I am.” Through 3DE, Jabari was able to tap into all the parts of himself throughout his education.

Jabari Courtney

Whether taking over management of an entire school or operating as a “school within a school,” 3DE’s holistic approach to learning bridges the education and business communities by connecting classroom lessons with the real world. The model breaks through traditional barriers and reimagines both schools and classrooms.

3DE works for all types of students: Those who succeed in traditional educational institutions and are looking for additional growth and skill-building; those who excel in one subject matter but remain uninterested in or unmotivated by other subjects; those who aren’t wired for traditional educational methodologies and struggle in school, an experience that often turns them off to education for the rest of their lives; and those who aren’t motivated to attend or participate in school at all.

Developed through a shared vision from leaders in education, business, and JA of Georgia, 3DE launched at Banneker High School in 2015 and quickly captured the attention of leaders in the education, civic, and corporate sectors.

3DE’s anchors its interdisciplinary educational model in a competency-based case method that encompasses math, science, history, English, the arts, and business. As they progress from ninth through twelfth grades, 3DE students immerse themselves in case challenges and case studies, which culminate in a capstone project in their final year. They also receive mentoring from business professionals and industry experts throughout their time in the program.

“There are two big problems we’re trying to solve for at the same time,” said Jack Harris, president and CEO of 3DE and former president of JA of Georgia. “First, how do we re-engineer education in order to create greater paths of economic opportunity for all students. And then, if we can deliver on that objective, how do we do that at scale to actually create systemic change.”

As of the 2022–2023 school year, 3DE operates in 42 schools across 10 US states and serves 13,000 students. The result? 3DE schools see 21.2% fewer cases of chronic absenteeism, 33.6% higher graduation rates, and nearly 70% higher proficiency in math and reading. By ensuring students graduate with the skillsets, mindsets, and behaviors to be competitive in a rapidly changing economy, 3DE positions alumni for economic opportunity and choice-filled lives. Partnering companies and organizations are also attracting a diverse workforce by maintaining connections with 3DE students and offering internships and employment. And students demonstrate exceptional skill acquisition, especially in the areas of communication, collaboration, cultural agility, critical thinking, creativity, innovation, and self-direction.

Outside of Georgia, 3DE by Junior Achievement operates in California, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Texas, and the Washington, D.C./Maryland metro area. Staff members at Junior Achievement of Greater Washington have seen the impact of 3DE on students firsthand.

“By helping educators bring real-world experiences into everyday lessons,” said Ed Grenier, CEO of Junior Achievement of Greater Washington, “and by exposing students to a breadth of industries, professions, and role models, 3DE powers learning past academic theory to become more relevant, more experiential, and authentically tied to the world’s complexities. It’s a true game-changer for our students.” Watch the video below to learn more about the impact of 3DE on the lives of Greater Washington students.

Education 4.0 reimagines education as an inclusive, lifelong experience that places the responsibility for skill-building on the learner, with teachers and mentors acting as facilitators and enablers. 3DE by Junior Achievement offers an extraordinary example of the impact of transitioning from a traditional education framework to Education 4.0.

Learn more about 3DE at 3deschools.org, and find out how you can rent or buy A Cure for the Common Classroom.