Transformative High School Model Boasts 46 Percent Increase in Graduation Rates
WASHINGTON, D. C. (October 2, 2019) – Junior Achievement of Greater Washington, in partnership with Prince George’s County Public Schools and Potomac High School, announced the Fall 2020 launch of 3DE at Potomac High School.
United around the belief that equitable access to high-quality education is the lever to economic mobility, 3DE is re-engineering traditional curriculum to be more experiential and better reflect the real world. By integrating relevant content, interdisciplinary pedagogy, entrepreneurial thinking, project/problem-based learning and authentic workplace experiences, 3DE schools empower students to achieve greater economic opportunity.
Originally piloted in Georgia in 2015, 3DE schools have seen tremendous success, with students consistently outperforming their host school peers on all state standard benchmarks and milestones. Since its implementation in Fulton County, Georgia’s lowest-performing high school, 3DE has seen a 46 percent increase in graduation rates and a 30 percent reduction in transiency.
“Working in partnership with the Prince George’s County Public Schools and Potomac High School has allowed us to bring 3DE’s transformative capabilities to the Greater Washington region and build on the established success of the 3DE model,” said Ed Grenier, President and CEO, Junior Achievement of Greater Washington. “By connecting education to real-world concepts through 3DE, we aim to improve students’ appreciation for academics, give them vision to see what is possible in the future and equip them with the skills they need to be 100 percent prepared for the real world.”
From L to R: Steve Proctor (President & CEO of G.S. Proctor & Associates, Inc.), Ed Grenier (President and CEO of Junior Achievement of Greater Washington), Dr. Monica E. Goldson (Chief Executive Officer of Prince George’s County Public Schools), and Jack Harris (President and Chief Executive Officer of 3DE)
Over 100 people were in attendence for the soft launch event to announce the Fall 2020 arrival of 3DE on October 1st, 2019 from 8:00-9:30 a.m. at Junior Achievement Finance Park Prince George’s County. In addition to a breakfast and brief program, Dr. Monica E. Goldson, Chief Executive Officer of Prince George’s County Public Schools, spoke about the innovative partnership that has been formed with Junior Achievement and her excitement for the launch of 3DE in 2020 at Potomac High School. Jack Harris, President and CEO of 3DE, was also in attendance.
“Using an innovative model, 3DE will complement our portfolio of high school programs with rigorous standards-based education and real-world authenticity. This unique program enables innovation to work from the inside-out towards positive outcomes for the high school community and Prince George's County as a whole,” said Dr. Goldson. “We are excited to launch this signature program at Potomac High School. This is an exciting development for all of our students, parents, business partners and PGCPS stakeholders.”
For more information, please contact Grace Foster at Grace.Foster@JA.org or 202-777-4485.
More photos of the event can be viewed here.
About Junior Achievement of Greater Washington
Junior Achievement of Greater Washington is a non-profit organization that is changing the game for D.C. Metro area youth with relevant experiential education in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. We bring together school systems, business leaders and trained mentor volunteers to provide equal access to the tools, people and experiences all youth need to be 100% prepared for real life in the real world. That means students gain what matters most: control over their own lives, futures and careers. To learn more, visit myJA.org.
About 3DE National
3DE by Junior Achievement is dedicated to expanding economic opportunity and economic mobility by re-engineering high school education to improve student engagement, accelerate academic outcomes, and develop competencies to excel in the future of work. 3DE schools are developed and sustained through joint venture partnerships with school districts, 3DE by Junior Achievement and the broader business community. 3DE launched in Atlanta in 2015 and by 2024 aims to expand to 55 schools serving nearly 20,000 students.
About Prince George’s County Public Schools
Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS), one of the nation's 25 largest school districts, has 206 schools and centers, more than 134,000 students and 22,000 employees. Under the leadership of Dr. Monica Goldson, the school system serves a diverse student population from urban, suburban and rural communities located in the Washington, DC suburbs. PGCPS is nationally recognized for college and career-readiness programs that provide students with unique learning opportunities, including dual enrollment and language immersion.
###