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Saint Paul Public Schools, Junior Achievement North Announce Partnership for Innovative 3DE Program

3DE Junior Achievement Press Conference

Photo (left to right): Washington Technology Magnet High School Principal Elias Oguz, Chair of Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Trista Martinson, Junior Achievement North President & CEO Sara Dziuk, Saint Paul Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Joe Gothard, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, Como Park Senior High School Principal Dr. Diana Brown

Saint Paul Public Schools Superintendent Gothard, Junior Achievement North President & CEO Sara Dziuk, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, and Chair of Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Trista Martinson announced a new educational model for students and educators at Como Park Senior High School and Washington Technology Magnet School to begin in the 2024-25 school year.

Called 3DE by Junior Achievement, this innovative high school model brings professionals from high-demand industries into the classroom for project-based learning and case studies. Students will learn from several national and local case partners, with generous funding from organizations including WEM Foundation, Securian Financial, Thrivent, The Cargill Foundation and Great Clips. JA North is actively identifying additional funding partners to help sustain and grow 3DE in St. Paul and beyond.

This model has been proven to boost student achievement in 42 schools across 24 districts in 10 states. Among the impressive results:

  • Reduced chronic absenteeism by 21%
  • Increased graduation rates by 33% (97% four-year graduation rate among all 3DE schools)
  • Increased college enrollment by 56%
  • 96% teacher retention 

“We are thrilled to partner with Saint Paul Public Schools to deliver this innovative educational model,” said JA North CEO Sara Dziuk. “3DE by Junior Achievement has the power to transform the learning experience, drive educational outcomes, and prepare students for successful and stable futures. It is uniquely designed to connect the education, nonprofit, business and government sectors, allowing our entire community to invest in the future of our young people and close the wealth, skills and opportunity gaps facing our state.”

All 9th grade students at Como Senior and Washington Technology Magnet will participate in the 3DE program starting in fall 2024. Throughout the current 2023-24 school year, JA North, school administration and teachers at Como Senior and Washington will collaborate closely to prepare for the program launch.

“Through this partnership, SPPS is furthering our strategic initiative of strengthening college and career curriculum in our high schools,” said Superintendent Gothard. “Based on the data of how this program has impacted student achievement in districts like ours across the country, I am confident 3DE will enhance our students’ abilities to apply their knowledge from the classroom to the real world.”

SPPS plans to expand 3DE programming to additional grade levels within Como Senior and Washington and to other SPPS high schools in the coming years.

Learn more about this new partnership at spps.org/3DE and janorth.org/programs/3de.