The school-based agricultural education (SBAE) program comprises important components that directly impact its success. The SBAE program is designed to empower youth through a unique perspective allowing student voice and student engagement as it relates to real world issues addressing the areas such as global food economy through the lens of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) using an agriscience and natural resources context (Foster & Barrick, 2013). With work-based and school-based learning at the forefront, it is critical that the SBAE program teach context as well as content to prepare students for careers and lifelong learning (National Research Council, 1988; Roberts & Ball 2009). Further understanding the teaching practices in the classroom and laboratory could further explain the importance of the holistic SBAE program. The purpose of this comparative case study was to explore classroom and laboratory practices of SBAE programs in three Midwestern school contexts. This case study involved multiple resources including face-to-face interviews with high school principals, SBAE instructors and parents. Photos of agricultural experiences, and evaluation reviews were collected to explore the lived experiences of SBAE parents, teachers, and administrators from the classroom and laboratory. Through data analysis, four themes emerged including: (a) Program Support, (b) Educational Approaches, (c) Instructor Impact, and (d) Student Engagement. This study suggests the SBAE's comprehensive three-circle model is valuable to providing a high quality SBAE experience regardless of the ability to balance the components on a day-to-day basis. These findings supported the comprehensive three-circle model, however the design of the current model may need to be modified to better fit current SBAE programs. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]