3DE National

What 3DE National does

3DE National is an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization (legally 3DE National LLC, headquartered at 3565 Piedmont Road NE) operating under the umbrella of Junior Achievement USA. Founded in 2015 at Banneker High School in Fulton County as a joint venture with the school district and JA of Georgia, the organization was spun out as a national entity and rebranded from JA Academy to 3DE in 2018. Its core offering is a school-within-a-school instructional model that re-engineers U.S. public high school education by integrating case methodology, business connectivity, and experiential learning directly into the standard curriculum of partner districts. Key components include Case Challenges from national corporate partners, the Senior Consultancy capstone, the Mindset Series co-developed with Sara Blakely and the Spanx Foundation, the 3DE Graduate Credential, the Talent Marketplace connecting credentialed graduates to employer partners, and a national Alumni Network.

The business model is structured as a public-private partnership: 3DE is offered at no cost to students or families and is funded by corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and joint venture contracts with public school districts. Revenue streams include National Premiere, National Signature, and Regional partner contributions — examples include Marcus Foundation ($5M), Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation ($5M), Delta Air Lines ($2M over five years starting 2019), and SunTrust Foundation ($2M three-year grant). Reach has scaled from a 99-student pilot to 80 schools across 32 districts in 13 states, serving more than 22,000 students, with a stated 10-year goal of 500 schools nationally. Distribution is direct-to-district enterprise sales supported by Junior Achievement's existing chapter infrastructure, with a complementary event-driven and community-led GTM motion leveraging student outcomes, alumni testimonials, and recurring case challenge events.

Customers are structured in three intertwined segments: (1) public high school students as primary beneficiaries, (2) public school districts as institutional buyers that commit to implementing the model across one or more schools, and (3) corporate/employer partners that fund the model in exchange for case-based brand engagement, talent pipeline access via the Talent Marketplace, and CSR/employee volunteer opportunities. Documented outcomes — 91% graduation rate at the Banneker pilot (a 46% lift over baseline), 100% outperformance on Georgia Milestones versus host schools, 84% senior engagement versus 24-54% nationally, 38% reduction in chronic absenteeism, 96% teacher retention, and 94.4% school stability — underpin continued district and partner acquisition.

Name

3DE National

Legal name

3DE National LLC

Website

https://3deschools.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

3DE National is an Atlanta-based nonprofit, affiliated with Junior Achievement USA, that re-engineers U.S. public high school education through a school-within-a-school instructional model embedding case methodology and corporate case challenges into district curricula. It serves public school students, partner districts across 13 states, and corporate funding partners via the Talent Marketplace and alumni network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Education Services (Career-Connected High School Education)

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Curriculum Design & Scope/Sequence (School-Led) (EDAJAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Virtual CTE & Career Pathways Programs (K–12) (EDAJADAL), Standards Alignment & Curriculum Mapping (State/National) (EDAJAFAD)

Keywords

• Case-based learning
• High school education
• Experiential learning
• Public-private education partnerships
• Workforce readiness

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Corporate Sponsorships and Donations: 3DE as a non-profit organization primarily funded through corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and individual donations. Companies like Delta Air Lines ($2M), SunTrust Foundation ($2M), and others provide significant funding. The organization also receives support from National Partners including The Marcus Foundation ($5M), Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation ($5M), and numerous other corporate and foundation sponsors.
2. National Expanded Pilot Funding: 3DE has secured more than $27 million to launch an expanded pilot program. This includes major contributions from founding partners and regional sponsors to expand the model to 55 schools in strategic markets.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

3DE National implements a school-within-a-school instructional model inside existing public high schools, integrating case methodology, real-world business challenges from corporate partners, and interdisciplinary learning into the standard curriculum. The organization delivers case challenges across industries, Senior Consultancy capstone projects, a credentialing system for graduates, and a Talent Marketplace connecting credentialed alumni with employer partners. The model is offered at no cost to students and is funded through corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and donations.

Product overview

3DE by Junior Achievement is a non-profit organization that re-engineers high school education through a holistic school-within-a-school model. The core 3DE Instructional Model integrates case methodology, business connectivity, and experiential learning into traditional public high schools. Key offerings include Case Challenges where students solve real business problems from partner companies, the Senior Consultancy capstone where students act as business consultants, and the 3DE Graduate credential program that recognizes students with verified competencies. The Talent Marketplace connects credentialed graduates with career opportunities at business partners, while the Alumni Network provides ongoing professional development. The Mindset Series, developed with Sara Blakely, builds inner skills and resilience. The model operates across 80 schools in 32 districts across 13 states.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 3DE Instructional Model A school-within-a-school model that re-engineers high school education to be more relevant, experiential, and authentically connected to the real world through case methodology, business connectivity, and interdisciplinary learning, implemented as a joint venture partnership with public school districts.
• Case Method / Case Challenges Real-world case challenges where students tackle authentic business problems from partner companies, applying academic concepts to complex industry scenarios across diverse sectors (aviation, retail, healthcare, QSR, financial services).
• Senior Consultancy A twelfth-grade capstone experience where high school seniors step into the role of business consultants, working in teams to develop real-world solutions tailored to the specific needs of local business partners.
• 3DE Graduate Credential A mark of distinction for students who have completed the 3DE program, verifying their strengths in competencies employers value most (critical thinking, collaboration, communication) and providing a portable credential recognized by business partners.
• Talent Marketplace A curated gateway connecting 3DE credentialed graduates with career opportunities at 3DE business partners, offering alumni exclusive access to internships, apprenticeships, and early-career roles.
• 3DE Alumni Network A national community of 3DE graduates providing professional networking, career planning resources, reunions, and volunteer opportunities through local alumni chapters.
• Mindset Series A multi-week mindset development program created in partnership with Sara Blakely and The Spanx Foundation, developing the inner skills (resilience, growth mindset, confidence) needed for students to fulfill their potential, with multi-week experiences launched at the start of each school year and reinforcing touchpoints throughout.

Quantifiable outcome

• 91% graduation rate at Banneker High School, representing a 46% increase from baseline
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered national partner, national signature partner, regional partner, minor, core and founding partner.

• Sara Blakely Foundationnational partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner3DE partnered with Sara Blakely and The Spanx Foundation to develop the Mindset Series - a proprietary mindset development series that develops inner skills needed to fulfill one's greatest potential.
• Delta Air Linesnational signature partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelta provides National Signature Case Challenges and site visits. Through the Delta propel program, 3DE alumni have a pathway to become full-time airline pilots. Delta also provides scholarships to the National Flight Academy summer program.
• KPMGnational partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing paid summer exposure internships to 3DE students. The internship provided insights into KPMG's three branches through professional workshops and visits to the KPMG Lakehouse facility.
• Parkview Healthregional partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerHead of Education Strategy Heather Schoegler committed Parkview Health to supporting case challenges in all five Fort Wayne Community Schools. Partnership expanded to include twelfth-grade Senior Consultancy capstone projects at North Side and Snider High Schools.
• Grant Park AccountingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmall business partner hosting Senior Consultancy capstone projects where 3DE students act as business consultants developing solutions for real challenges. Elizabeth Black has partnered with 3DE for four years.
• AT&Tnational signature partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Signature Case Partner providing real-world business challenges for 3DE students throughout their four-year high school experience.
• Chick-fil-Anational signature partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerChick-fil-A Foundation was an early supporter. National Signature Case Partner providing real-world business challenges for 3DE students.
• The Home Depotnational signature partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Home Depot Foundation is a National Signature Partner providing case challenges and business connectivity opportunities for 3DE students.
• Arby'snational signature partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerArby's/Inspire Brands is a National Signature Partner and Case Partner. 3DE students have worked on case challenges for Arby's and appeared in national marketing campaigns.
• Junior AchievementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJunior Achievement USA created 3DE as a national organization in 2018 to allow the model to scale. JA provides the organizational infrastructure, brand recognition, and network of chapters for expansion nationwide.
• Fulton County Schoolsfounding partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner in the pilot of the 3DE model. The original pilot launched at Banneker High School in Fulton County in 2015.
• Jackson Healthcarenational partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Case Partner providing real-world business challenges for 3DE students throughout their four-year high school experience.
• ReliaQuestnational partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Case Partner providing real-world business challenges for 3DE students. ReliaQuest also participates in the Talent Marketplace for recruiting 3DE graduates.
• UPSnational partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe UPS Foundation is a National Partner and National Case Partner providing real-world business challenges for 3DE students.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Junior Achievement USA: 3DE's parent organization and the most direct comparable, providing experiential K-12 financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship education. JA shares the same nonprofit structure, corporate sponsorship model, district partnership approach, and case-methodology heritage as 3DE.
• NAF (National Academy Foundation): NAF operates career-themed academies within public high schools, integrating industry-focused curricula and work-based learning. NAF is the most direct competitor to 3DE's school-within-a-school model with a similar focus on business connectivity, employer partnerships, and credentialing students for career pathways.
• New Tech Network: New Tech Network runs project-based learning high schools with similar school-within-a-school and full-school models. Shares comparable nonprofit structure, district partnerships, and focus on authentic learning experiences that prepare students for college and career.
• Big Picture Learning: Big Picture Learning operates a network of public schools using interest-driven, real-world learning models. Comparable to 3DE for its focus on personalized learning, internship-based education, and partnerships with public school districts for high school transformation.
• High Tech High: High Tech High operates project-based, integrated learning schools in California with employer engagement and real-world applications. Comparable as a network of innovative public high schools integrating academic content with workplace contexts and personalized learning.
• Aspen Institute (CareerWise): The Aspen Institute's CareerWise initiative promotes modern youth apprenticeships and work-based learning. Comparable for its focus on connecting high school students with employers through structured, real-world learning experiences and its nonprofit public-private partnership model.

Broad incumbents

• KIPP Public Schools: KIPP operates one of the largest networks of public charter schools in the U.S. with a college-preparatory mission serving similar low-income and urban student populations. Comparable for addressing educational inequity through innovative school models, though broader in scope and more established than 3DE's school-within-a-school approach.
• IDEA Public Schools: IDEA is a large charter school network focused on college readiness for underserved students. Comparable for serving similar student demographics and emphasizing academic outcomes, career exposure, and college/career preparation as core mission elements.

Emerging players

• Summit Public Schools: Summit operates public schools with personalized, project-based learning models and a self-directed learning platform. Comparable as an innovative network serving similar student demographics with approaches integrating real-world application and self-paced learning, though with a stronger technology-platform focus than 3DE's case-methodology approach.

Regional players

• Year Up: Year Up provides workforce training programs for young adults connecting education to corporate careers. Comparable for its public-private partnership model, employer engagement (including Fortune 500 partners), and focus on career pathways, though serving post-high-school young adults rather than high school students directly.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/3deschools

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 3DE National