Op-Ed: Preparing South Carolina’s Students for the Real World—Starting Now

By Cliff Jones, Superintendent, Horry County Schools and Angel Malone, CEO of Junior Achievement of Greater South Carolina

Our students are growing up in a world that is changing faster than any generation before them. The question before us is no longer simply how we teach; it is how we ensure every student is prepared to thrive in the future that will demand adaptability, critical thinking, strong literacy, and the ability to learn continuously throughout life.

For too long, there has been a disconnect between what students learn in the classroom and the skills they need to thrive in the real world. Employers consistently tell us they need graduates who can think critically, communicate effectively, and solve complex problems. Our students deserve an education that reflects those expectations.

That is why Junior Achievement’s 3DE by Junior Achievement presented by Ortho SC is so important, not just for Horry County, but for the entire state of South Carolina.

In the fall of 2026, Horry County will become the first district in South Carolina to implement 3DE, a transformative high school model designed to reengineer education around real-world applications. This is not a pilot. This is a commitment to changing outcomes for our students. 3DE by Junior Achievement will begin in the fall at Conway High School and is presented by Conway Medical Center.

3DE brings business and education together in a powerful way. Through project-based learning, students work on real case challenges provided by local and national companies. They collaborate in teams, present solutions, and receive feedback from industry professionals. In doing so, they develop the very skills that employers value most—adaptability, leadership, soft skills, and problem-solving.

But this program is about more than workforce readiness. It’s about relevance.

When students see the connection between what they are learning and how it applies outside the classroom, engagement increases. Attendance improves. Confidence grows. And perhaps most importantly, students begin to see a future for themselves. One where they are equipped and empowered to succeed.

As someone who previously served in a district where 3DE was implemented, I have seen firsthand the difference it makes. Students who may have once felt disconnected from school became leaders. Graduation rates improved. Post-secondary success increased. The transformation was real and measurable.

That is why we are passionate about bringing 3DE to Horry County.

This initiative reflects a shared commitment to our students and would not be possible without the support of our business community, nonprofit partners, educators, and families. Education cannot succeed in isolation. Together, through mentorship, partnership, and a commitment to creating opportunities beyond traditional instruction, we can better prepare every student for the future. And to our students: this is your moment. The future is not something that simply happens to you. It is something you have the power to create.

Horry County is proud to lead the way in South Carolina. With 3DE, we are not just preparing students for graduation, we are preparing them for life.

And that is the kind of education every student deserves.

Our students are growing up in a world that is changing faster than any generation before them. The question before us is no longer simply how we teach; it is how we ensure every student is prepared to thrive in a future that will demand adaptability, critical thinking, strong literacy, and the ability to learn continuously throughout life.