Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa Partners with the Cedar Rapids Community School District to Launch New Instructional Learning Model

Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa Partners with the Cedar Rapids Community School District to Launch New Instructional Learning Model

(Cedar Rapids, IA)- Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa (JAEI) is partnering with the Cedar Rapids Community School District to launch a new instructional learning model, 3 Dimensions of Education™ (3DE™), during the 2025-2026 school year. All ninth-grade students enrolled at Washington High School will participate as part of the district’s College and Career Readiness Future Focus, which graduates students better prepared for high-wage, high-skill, and in-demand jobs. A new group of ninth-grade students will be onboarded in consecutive years within the school, with hopes to expand to other high schools within the district in future years. The launch of the first 3DE™ class at Washington High School is made possible through the 15.5 million dollar grant the district was awarded from the US Department of Education’s Magnet Schools Assistance Program.

“We are thrilled to partner with Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa to bring the 3DE™ instructional model to Washington High School. This innovative approach helps merge education with leading industry partners who have first-hand insight into how the world is changing giving our students a competitive edge for the future. By integrating real-world challenges and fostering critical 21st-century skills, 3DE™ will empower our students to thrive in an ever-changing global economy. This initiative represents a bold step forward in ensuring every graduate is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to pursue their dreams,” said Dr. Tawana Grover, Superintendent of Cedar Rapids Community School District

3DE™ schools are incubators of innovation located within existing high schools. It re-engineers education to create engaging learning environments that reflect the world in which we live, through partnerships with local and national businesses. 3DE™ uses real-world case studies sourced directly from local and national companies to help students develop competencies related to 21^st Century Skills and strengthen core academic learning through guided exploration.

Teachers work directly with the 3DE™ national team to help integrate the cases into their coursework. The model leverages networks, resources, and expertise to create a cost-effective and scalable solution to empowering students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to unlock greater economic opportunities to live choice-filled lives.

“We are excited to see the impact already here in Eastern Iowa that 3DE is having in the classroom for both educators and students,” said Dr. Nate Klein, Vice President of Education for Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa. “As the state’s second-largest school district and a 30+ year partner for Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa, we are excited to launch this transformational model with Cedar Rapids schools, their educators, students, and an energized business community. We have enjoyed expanding the reach of Junior Achievement programming this year K-9 and realize that the next step is to more fully engage at the high school level to inspire students to lead choice-filled lives.”

The 3DE™ model integrates 17 real-world challenges facing today’s high-growth industries. A total of six 21^st Century Skills made of 24 observational behaviors anchor curriculum design and student developmental objectives. The six foundational competencies are:

SELF-DIRECTION
EFFECTIVE COLLABORATION
CRITICAL & ANALYTICAL THINKING
CULTURAL AGILITY
ENGAGING COMMUNICATION
CREATIVITY & INNOVATION

During their launch class, students work in small groups to discuss, dissect, and make decisions around the cases that the businesses have identified. Companies provide employees to act as coaches, listening and guiding students during their case. Outside of their launch class, students will encounter aspects of their case, e.g. case competency, and will be challenged to apply it to their core subjects. Students will work together on each case for five weeks.

3DE™ positions learners for choice-filled lives by developing key behaviors and competencies through interactive practice and demonstration. These transferrable behaviors make students competitive regardless of their chosen path after high school.

“3DE™ is designed to be accessed by every learner and help them to become intentional, empowered graduates. This is an exciting opportunity that all students deserve to be a part of,” said Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa 3DE Director, Dr. Dominique Brooks.

Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa first launched 3DE™ in Iowa during the Fall of 2024. Seventy-five students are enrolled in the Alburnett Community School District and 150 students in the College Community School District are currently participating. A new group of ninth-grade students will be onboarded in consecutive years at each district.

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 Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa (JAEI)

Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa envisions a world in which young people have the skillset and mindset to build thriving communities. By advocating for experiential learning in every school in the world, and by nurturing partnerships with schools and other like-minded organizations, we envision a world in which no young person is left behind.

JAEI is dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in the global economy through work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy educational programs. JAEI’s programs are delivered by 1,399 local volunteers that can provide students with real-world examples of how obstacles can be overcome, and success achieved. JAEI provides its programs to 45,257 students throughout Eastern Iowa which includes Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Fayette, Delaware, Grundy, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, and Tama counties. For more information, visit www.JAEasternIowa.org.

About Cedar Rapids Community School District (CRCSD)

The Cedar Rapids Community School District (CRCSD) is dedicated to preparing all students for the future. As the third-largest public school district in Iowa, CRCSD serves nearly 15,000 students across 31 schools with the support of nearly 3,000 talented teachers and staff. Guided by the vision of Every Learner. Future Ready. and a mission to provide rigorous, personalized learning experiences, CRCSD fosters a welcoming environment for all backgrounds and cultures.

CRCSD offers a wide range of educational opportunities, including traditional and virtual learning, Advanced Placement courses, career and technical education, magnet schools, and support for English language learners. Home to the most nationally certified teachers in the state, CRCSD is committed to ensuring every student has a plan, a pathway, and a passion for their future.

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