Here’s Why Cedar Rapids Washington High School is Leading the Way with 3DE

A new year has arrived, and with it, a whole bunch of new things to chat about. And, when it comes to learning, there’s plenty to talk about! Speaking of which, I’m glad you brought that up. We all learn in different ways, don’t we? Back when I was in school, if you didn’t learn the "normal" way, you were basically marked as a troublemaker.

Now, I’ll spare you the details, but let’s just say, I might have been—ahem—one of those "troublemakers." Whether I confirm or deny it, well, that’s up for debate!

What is 3DE?

Seems an easy idea to get your head around.  3DE is a re-engineering of education and understanding.

Whenever I hear about innovative ways of learning, I'm all in! I love discovering new methods that help people learn, and that’s exactly what we’re diving into today.

Washington High School here in Cedar Rapids recently launched a program with Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa called 3DE. They describe it as a way to provide real-world, career-focused learning experiences. The goal is to help students build the skills they need for success in high-wage, high-skill, in-demand jobs, with a strong emphasis on college and career readiness.

It always amazed me how they wanted you to pick a career you’d never actually experienced, and then that would be your path in college. What if you end up not liking it? What do you do then? Feels like a lot of pressure to choose something that might not even be the right fit!

If they actually give you some hands-on experience and show you how things work in the real world, I think that’s way better training than just telling you, “eh, you’ll figure it out.” It makes a lot more sense to learn by doing!

Who Will Benefit From This Program?

This year, the program started with all the 9th graders at Washington High School. They’re the first ones to experience it and will get to see how it impacts their learning and future careers.

The press release also mentioned that this is part of the College and Career Readiness Future Focus initiative, a district-wide effort to make sure students graduate with the skills and knowledge they need for successful careers.

How Will it Work?

They will go with a slow roll, nothing too crazy.  The idea is that each new group of students will be onboarded into the 3DE program, creating a continuing cycle of education focused on preparing them for the workforce. 

The program’s launch is funded by a grant. The Cedar Rapids Community School District was awarded $15.5 million from the U.S. Department of Education's Magnet Schools Assistance Program. This significant financial support will help implement the 3DE program at Washington High School, with the possibility of expanding to other schools in the district in future years. 

Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa (JAEI)

Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa (JAEI) says they work to inspire and prepare young people in the region to succeed in the global economy. They focus on teaching work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy through hands-on learning.

The organization works with over 1,300 local volunteers to give students real-world insights into overcoming challenges and achieving success. JAEI serves over 45,000 students across multiple counties in Eastern Iowa, providing them with skills that will help them thrive in the workforce.

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The Cedar Rapids Community School District (CRCSD) is one of Iowa’s largest, serving nearly 15,000 students. It’s got all kinds of learning options—traditional courses, virtual classes, AP programs, career-focused tracks, and even support for English language learners.

Hey now, they’ve got something for everyone, all with the goal of making sure students don’t just graduate, but have a clear path and passion for their future careers.

Now, in partnership with Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa, CRCSD is taking things up a notch. They’re bringing in hands-on, real-world learning experiences that’ll actually help students figure out what’s next, and that's a good thing.