Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) is set to launch a new model of learning at Eastside High School. 

The 3DE Junior Achievement model has been shown to accelerate student engagement and academic outcomes, according to a press release. The program mixes real-world experiences with academics by partnering the school with Junior Achievement and the broader business community. 

“We strongly believe that 3DE by Junior Achievement will have the vitality to awaken every student’s individual purpose and talent daily,” Eastside Principal Leroy Williams said in the release. “3DE’s experiences will further cultivate our students’ ability to explore, expand and elevate within the 3DE Framework.” 

The program will be introduced incrementally at Eastside, starting with this year’s incoming ninth graders. 

The freshmen will work on real-world problems and case studies presented by local and national companies. After five weeks of collaboration and problem-solving, the students will present their solutions to their peers and a panel of local business leaders. 

Over the next four years, 3DE will expand to eventually include all grade levels for the 2027-28 school year. 

Superintendent Shane Andrew described 3DE as a “hook” for students to become lifelong learners. 

“If we listen to students’ voices carefully, then we can quickly determine how to meet their diverse needs,” Andrew said in the release. “Based on 3DE student testimonials that I have heard, there is no doubt in my mind that implementing the 3DE program at Eastside High School will change the trajectory of our students’ futures and our greater community as a whole.” 

Joey Bissinnar, board chair-elect of Junior Achievement of Alachua and director of middle office at Gas South, said bringing the program to Alachua County “simply made sense.” 

“3DE helps transform education in the classroom to reflect the increasing complexities of our world. The positive results and success of the 3DE Model in other cities and states are clear. If cities like Atlanta and Tampa Bay are having success, then we can do the same here in Alachua County,” Bissinnar said in the release. 

Kirk Klein, managing partner at Koss Olinger, was a key advocate for bringing the program to Alachua County. He said he was intrigued by the way the model creates enthusiasm in teachers and students. 

“We hear kids say, ‘when am I ever going to use this?’ when referring to some of the subjects that they are taking,” Klein said in the release. “3DE answers that question by applying all subjects to a case study. The leadership, teamwork, and collaboration that goes on in 3DE, among students and teachers, is as real-world as it gets.” 

Eastside now joins the ranks of 59 other high schools nationwide that run 3DE programs.