Junior Achievement of Arizona and Phoenix Union High School District will hold a press conference on Feb. 12 at 9:30 a.m. at Cesar Chavez High School, to 3921 W. Baseline Road, Laveen, AZ 85339, to announce a new educational instructional model for students and educators at Cesar Chavez and Alhambra High Schools set to begin in the 2025-26 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 competency-based case challenges. Students will learn from several national and local case partners such as Cox Communications, Scooptacular, HonorHealth, Deloitte and Arby’s. JAAZ is actively identifying funding partners to help sustain and grow 3DE in Phoenix and throughout the state.
Launched in 2015, this model is proven to boost student achievement. Currently, the program is in more than 60 comprehensive high schools in 13 states. Among the impressive results:
- Reduced chronic absenteeism by 18.1%
- Increased graduation rates by 26%
- Increased college enrollment by 29.2%
- 96% teacher retention
“We are very excited to partner with PXU to deliver this innovative education instructional model,” said Katherine Cecala, president of JAAZ. “3DE reengineers high school education to be more relevant, experiential and authentically connected to the complexities of the real world to prepare today’s students for the demands of tomorrow’s economy.”
All 9th-grade students at Cesar Chavez and Alhambra High Schools will have the option of enrolling in the 3DE program starting this fall. The partnership will expand to other grades each year as the initial cohort promotes.
“Through this partnership, PXU is furthering our strategic initiative of strengthening college and career curriculum in our high schools,” said Superintendent Thea Andrade. “Based on the 3DE student achievement data 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. Together, we will produce future-ready graduates.”
Today’s complexities require a new educational approach that will position all students for opportunity. 3DE is committed to ensuring students graduate with the skills, mindsets and goals to be successful after graduation. Our goal is to accelerate economic competitiveness and expand opportunities for all.
Media is invited to attend the press conference and hear from JAAZ and PXU. Please RSVP to Lindsay Hansen, PR consultant by Feb. 10, 2025.
