In a rapidly evolving educational landscape, finding the right fit for your high school student’s learning journey can be a challenge. That’s where ASU Prep Digital+ comes in—a groundbreaking program offering a hybrid learning experience designed to meet the diverse needs of today’s high school students.
Imagine a schooling option where students can customize their schedules and attend in-person sessions up to four days a week, depending on the pathway they choose. This flexibility empowers students to take control of their education and tailor it to their individual needs and preferences.
What sets ASU Prep Digital+ apart from traditional digital learning platforms?
According to program coordinators, it’s all about the blend of online education with in-person support and community engagement. While digital learning isn’t suitable for everyone, ASU Prep Digital+ fills a crucial niche by providing students with the social interaction and personalized guidance they need to thrive academically and socially.
Students benefit from:
- Program flexibility to balance online and in-person learning
- Unique collaboration opportunities to enhance an online school experience
- Exposure to college through on-site courses and experiences
- More engagement through discussions and hands-on activities
- Enhanced socialization opportunities that build a sense of community
- A tailored schedule based on needs and interests
Making it easier to:
- Gain independence
- Hone communication skills
- Explore topics in depth through hands-on projects
What is a hybrid program?
A hybrid program blends traditional in-person classes with online learning, allowing students to alternate between attending classes in a physical school and studying remotely.
This model provides flexibility and personalized learning, while combining the benefits of face-to-face interactions and digital resources. By integrating technology, hybrid schools foster collaboration and critical thinking, making education adaptable to various student needs and circumstances.
Our hybrid school model, ASU Prep Digital+ puts the control back in the hands of parents and students, with options to build a schedule from three different pathways with the flexibility to enroll in in-person programming up to 3 days per week.
Pathway 1: College Exploratory
For those aspiring to a college experience, ASU Prep Digital+ offers a unique opportunity to dip their toes into higher education. By attending classes at the college level and participating in college-prep activities, students get a taste of what college life is really like, preparing them for future success.
This is a year-long hybrid program for high school students who spend at least two days per week on an ASU campus and the other three days working virtually from home. In addition, ASU Prep Digital+ College Exploratory students can now add on extra learning lab days for additional face-to-face time or add the Experience pathway to explore in-depth project-based learning.
The College Exploratory pathway is perfect for students looking to test drive the college experience at one of our ASU campus sites. And because ASU Prep Digital+ is part of Arizona State University, the pathway offers an accelerated path toward college admission and the chance to earn concurrent high school and university credits at no additional cost.
So far, students enrolled in the College Exploratory pathway are exceeding expectations. “We are so proud of the work that has been accomplished this year,” said Megan Hanley, Director of Strategic Initiatives at ASU Prep. “Currently, our seniors are outperforming all other grade levels, with a 93 percent passing rate in all content courses.”
Pathway 2: Learning Lab
The Learning Lab pathway was created for students to interact and engage with peers while working on Digital or college coursework. This pathway emphasizes the significance of community with personalized learning advisors leading community-building activities every morning. These activities revolve around current events, entrepreneurship and thought leadership, and usually spark in-depth and meaningful discussions.
The program’s hybrid model, combining online coursework with in-person support, offers unparalleled flexibility—a major draw for students with busy schedules or unconventional pursuits. In addition, the Learning Lab pathway offers personalized learning advisors to provide guidance and support to students as needed.
Pathway 3: Experience
The ASU Prep Digital+ Experience pathway takes a project-based approach, allowing students to delve into areas of interest and collaborate on real-world projects while earning elective credit. Rather than focusing solely on traditional subjects, the program emphasizes the development of essential skills such as communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. This pathway is offered one day a week at one of our three campuses. These immersive hands-on learning days are guided by industry experts with topics ranging from cinematography to STEM. The goal of this program is for students to explore interests, whether career or hobby driven.
We’ve heard from our students directly that participating in this style of project-based learning has helped them find and start on their career path during high school! During this program students also participate in a showcase, which is an opportunity to display their hard work to fellow peers and parents.
Day-in-the-life at ASU Prep Digital+
With such flexible and interactive learning, it might be difficult to envision how the program works. That’s why we’ve broken down what a day could look like for an ASU Prep Digital+ student on the College Exploratory pathway. Depending on their chosen pathway, students can start their day at one of our three campuses: ASU Mesa MIX Center, ASU Tempe, or ASU West Valley.
- 9 am – 10 am: Every morning our students start with a guided discussion with a learning advisor. Community circle discussions are something our students look forward to and rave about. They’re focused on a specific topic. This morning there was a group discussion about a book the class has been reading.
- 10 am – 12 pm: This is when live lessons happen. Students work independently on their online coursework through ASU Prep Digital. If they have questions they can get answers from their learning advisor. Similarly, if they can also use this time to collaborate with peers for socialization or on coursework.
- 12 pm – 1 pm: Our students know this is their lunch break. It’s a great time for students to refresh and relax before their afternoon coursework begins.
- Afternoon: After lunch is when our program shines. Students in College Exploratory may head off to their college class, while other students work independently through their online coursework. For instance, a student may take a Mandarin class, while another student joins a college chemistry class. However, all students come back together to end the day with a 30-minute recap. This community circle was created for students to build community, ask questions, and share with each other.
This is just a glimpse into what a day could look like for an ASU Prep Digital+ student. But it could look different depending on what your student chooses—that’s the beauty of this unique and flexible hybrid program.
The schedule breakdown here would be slightly different for the Experience pathway. The Experience classes take place on Fridays, with the location depending on the topic your student would like to participate in. The Experience pathway provides an all-day immersive hands-on learning opportunity for students. Their daily schedule will follow the structure set by the industry expert to prepare students for success in the project of their choosing.
What ASU Prep Digital+ students are saying
Our students love the increased confidence, improved communication skills, and a sense of independence gained through the personalized learning approach. Students also appreciate the opportunity to explore diverse interests and career paths, often discovering passions they never knew they had.
“Digital+ is a program that made me feel as though I had control over how and when I work. Its flexibility and its caring/helpful atmosphere made learning so much easier and more fun.” – ASU Prep Student
Our families also note the impact our program has had on their students.
“I feel like this program has helped better prepare her for attending college than she would have gotten in a traditional high school setting. She is comfortable on a college campus and interacting with college educators and mentors.” – ASU Prep Parent
Ready to take control of your student’s education?
Join us for a virtual information session with an admissions advisor where you can ask questions and learn more about how our hybrid learning model works. Campus tours and shadow days are also available to see the program in action. To learn more and register, visit our website.
Q&A: Ask our Microschool Program Manager
Trista Zobitz, Microschool Program Manager at ASU Prep Digital answers some of the most common questions families have about ASU Prep Digital+.
Why was this program created?
Our program was created to offer students compelling and interactive ways to learn. Our growth since then mimics the shift to hybrid work environments. We aim to prepare our students for the future, so naturally, our learning models resemble real-world trends.
What stands out about the curriculum?
We have an enormous focus on expanding the curriculum and learning opportunities for students to find and explore their interests and passions before higher education. Our goal is for students to explore career options earlier, saving them time, money, and stress in the future.
For parents seeking alternative learning options that prioritize flexibility, community, and personalized support, ASU Prep Digital+ represents a compelling choice. With its blend of online coursework, in-person engagement, and project-based learning, it’s redefining what education looks like in the digital age.
Where do you see this program going in the future?
Looking ahead, the program aims to continue growing, providing even more students with access to its innovative blend of online and in-person learning. ASU Prep Digital+ remains committed to offering a niche educational experience that prioritizes student growth and success.
How much does it cost to attend?
Our full-time program is tuition-free for Arizona residents. Part-time students pay tuition for single courses.
What kind of student thrives in the ASU Prep Digital+ environment?
Any student looking for a personalized, flexible learning experience. Whether they’re eager to accelerate their college journey, crave social interaction, or simply wish to explore new interests, ASU Prep Digital+ offers a pathway to success tailored to each student’s unique needs.
What type of students are a good fit for ASU Prep Digital+?
- Students who need a flexible school schedule
- Students who value in-person instruction and collaboration
- Students who want a competitive advantage when it comes to college and careers
- Students who want to save time and money on college by earning university credits in high school
Interested in enrolling in ASU Prep Digital+?
Join us for a virtual information session with an admissions advisor where you can ask questions and learn more about how our hybrid learning model works. Campus tours and shadow days are also available to see the program in action. For more information, visit our website.
