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Board approves 3DE expansion with Junior Achievement to add two high schools to program
Summary
Hillsborough County School Board approved a multi-year memorandum of agreement with Junior Achievement to expand the 3DE high school model to Brandon and Plant High Schools; funding will come from educational enrichment allocations.
The Hillsborough County School Board voted to approve a memorandum of agreement with Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay Inc. to expand the 3DE (Design, Entrepreneurship, and Enterprise) model into additional high schools.
The district’s presentation said 3DE is a case-method, real-world instructional model that delivers more than 300 contact hours per participating student and integrates business and community partners into curriculum. The program currently operates at several high schools and the MOA approved Tuesday adds Brandon and Plant High Schools for the 2026–27 school year.
Funding and scale: District staff said the three-year commitment to Junior Achievement is supported by the district’s Educational Enrichment Allocation (EEA), a categorical source intended for programs such as 3DE. Finance staff characterized the MOA as a multi-year arrangement; the package discussed in board remarks represented an investment drawn from categorical funds set aside for enrichment and related initiatives. In the meeting presentation staff stated the program serves more than 1,600 students across participating high schools and that private partners fund a substantial portion of program operating costs; the district contributes a portion through EEA funds.
Board members and business leaders who provided written support highlighted measurable outcomes such as reduced chronic absenteeism among participating cohorts, improved graduation and postsecondary enrollment indicators and high teacher and business volunteer engagement. Several members said they valued the program’s focus on workforce readiness and entrepreneurial skills.
Questions and context: Some trustees asked for more clarity on the per-student cost and prioritization because the district faces competing demands for limited categorical funds. Member Gray noted the program’s positive results but asked staff to clarify how the district balances investments in enrichment programs with core academic priorities and equitable access.
Next steps: The board approved the MOA and authorized staff to complete contracting and implementation steps, including expanding the 3DE cohorts and engaging business partners. Staff will return with updates on implementation and metrics tied to attendance, graduation and college/career outcomes.
Speakers quoted in this article are those who spoke at the board meeting and are listed in the article metadata. Program details and funding allocations were presented by district staff during the agenda item.
