A Strong Finish for 3DE

Image caption: Surrattsville High School students receive their 3DE stoles

3DE by Junior Achievement is what education can become when it connects directly to what comes next. Participants build critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills over four years, starting in ninth grade.

More than 100 young people in the Greater Washington area received stoles to commemorate their 3DE by Junior Achievement graduations in 2026. This includes Surrattsville High School in Clinton, Maryland, which graduated its first 3DE cohort of 35 students this year.

“It [was] a pleasure to work with these young scholars and celebrate them at Surrattsville’s first annual 3DE Stole Ceremony,” says Mr. Manyfield, 3DE Internship & Marketing Senior Consultancy Instructor. “I’ve watched these [students] taking the role of business consultant, developing real-world solutions and leaving a lasting impression on clients they collaborated with. [These scholars’] accomplishments have been outstanding, and I’m confident the impact of the 3DE by Junior Achievement learning model will continue to grow for years to come.”

Image caption: Potomac High School Stole Ceremony

By the time they graduate, 3DE by Junior Achievement students have competed in a 3DE Case Challenge; developed, marketed, and sold their own product at a 3DE Market Expo; run a 3DE Senior Consultancy; and more.

They will also be proficient in the six 3DE core competencies: Critical & Analytical Thinking, Creativity & Innovation, Cultural Agility, Effective Collaboration, Engaging Communication, and Self-Direction.

Ballou High School (Washington, D.C.), Potomac High School (Oxon Hill, Maryland), and Surrattsville High School (Clinton, Maryland) produced successful 3DE Market Expos this spring. Every 3DE Market Expo celebrates 11th grade students’ innovation and purpose‑driven entrepreneurship, plus the impact of authentic, project‑based learning, as participants develop a product over several months and then sell it at the culminating marketplace event.

Image caption: Surrattsville High School 3DE Students

Surrattsville’s 3DE Market Expo generated more than $14,000 in revenue through 36 student-run businesses. Leading the way was Emerge New Beginnings, which earned $1,137 in sales through its customizable drinks, handmade inspirational bracelets, and popular signature cookies. 

The 3DE Market Expo at Potomac included 21 businesses and generated over $7,300 in revenue, their biggest total to date. Some of the unique and popular products sold were candles, custom press-on nails and food from different cultures.

Image caption: Potomac High School Market Day

Ballou’s 3DE Market Expo was the most successful with revenues exceeding $17,000 from 22 11th-grade businesses. 

DeShawn, a Ballou student and owner of DeShawn’s Catering, the highest grossing business at the school’s 3DE Market Expo, says the greatest lesson he learned from the experience was “to be open-minded” and “explore other things and get out of your comfort zone.”

Naishon, a recently graduated Surrattsville student, says, “I'd say being part of [3DE by Junior Achievement] put me ahead as far as quick thinking. 3DE helped me know I'm good at finding solutions and managing money. It even changed my perspective on what I want to do for a career.”

Image caption: 3DE Graduate, Naishon

When Naishon steps onto the campus of his university in Delaware in late August to study finance and agribusiness, he will take more with him than those trusty “blue bags” filled with dorm room essentials. He will embody what the 3DE by Junior Achievement learning model is all about: relevant experiences and authentic connections to real-world complexities.

Read the rest of Naishon’s story here.