COMPTON – Compton Unified School District unveiled an innovative learning program at Dominguez High School on Aug. 24.
Junior Achievement of SoCal (JASoCal), in partnership with Compton Unified School District, announced the launch of 3DE by Junior Achievement (3DE) which was first piloted in Georgia.
“The Compton Unified School District Board is committed to making sure that our students have what they need in order to be successful both in the classroom and outside of the classroom,” said CUSD Board President Denzell Perry. “Partnerships like this allow our students to be connected to the careers of tomorrow.”
The 3DE instructional model uses case methodology to help students develop key competencies like communication, collaboration, and self-direction through real-world business challenges that are woven across their core subjects.
During the 2023-2024 school year, 100 ninth-grade students will solve six business challenges provided by local and national corporate partners like Delta Air Lines and NBCUniversal.
“This School District has to provide more programs to eliminate the opportunity gaps that are consistently present for black and brown students,” said Superintendent Darin Brawley, who has served in Compton for 11 years. “3DE is one example of providing an in-depth experience for students to apply their critical-thinking analysis skills and project-based learning to solve real-life problems that exist in the workforce for various companies throughout the United States.”
Compton Unified continues to add programs to enhance student’s learning experiences that members of the board hope will lead to greater opportunities for them outside of the classroom.
“Teaching students about financial literacy and bringing more programs that address life skills creates a whole student who is equipped with a solid academic foundation and increases their confidence after leaving high school,” said board member Satra Zurita. “Our job is to prepare them to succeed and programs like 3DE is a step in the right direction.”
Zurita points to the success of the Early College High School as another example of the district’s commitment to student excellence.
“Our partnership with Compton College is a testament that Compton Unified is providing innovative programs that have a proven track record of being successful,” said Zurita.
Bryan Benitez was one of 83 graduates of Compton Early College High School’s class of 2023. He simultaneously attended Compton College and High School, graduating from both this past summer. Benitez, who has a cumulative high school GPA of 4.59 and a college GPA of 3.8, has earned two associate degrees, one in arts and humanities and one in social and behavioral sciences, as well as earning an Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) certificate.
“I had the opportunity to enroll in college classes that not only piqued my attention but also pushed me intellectually and helped me prepare for life in the real world,” said Benitez, one of five Compton College 2023 Presidential Scholars. I’ve had the opportunity to interact with real college instructors who have inspired and motivated me.”