In the realm of education, the ASU Prep phrase “All Kids Can” encompasses the belief that every student, regardless of their individual needs and challenges, has the potential to thrive academically and reach their full potential. This sentiment is beautifully exemplified by ASU Prep Digital students and brothers, Austin and Gavin.

Austin, a high school junior with autism, and Gavin, an eighth grader ready to be academically challenged, said they weren’t getting what they needed from their traditional brick-and-mortar schools. The boys’ mom, Christene, said, “It wasn’t going to work—for either of the boys.” They decided to explore the flexibility of online school.

Christene and her husband Thomas, both Arizona State University graduates, decided to give ASU Prep Digital a chance. Christene shares, “Our first meeting with them was so awesome. Everybody is student-centered and parent-centered. They will do whatever it takes to help my kids.”

Fast forward four years and both boys are thriving on their educational journey.

Unleashing potential: Austin’s progress

Austin started ASU Prep Digital with significant developmental delays. His family knew he was capable of much more and with dedicated support and personalized guidance, he has shown incredible progress.

At the beginning, Austin relied heavily on his skill of rote memorization and repetition. However, after years of what Christene calls “intense educational therapy,” he has developed into an inquisitive learner who is able to ask thoughtful questions, paraphrase his online research, and even participate in discussion-based assessments.

Jessa Grant, Austin’s Learning Success Coach, shares that it is a joy to watch Austin blossom, adding,  “We’ve been able to think outside of the box and give Austin the tools that will help him learn.”

One of those tools is Austin’s nontraditional use of Rosetta Stone as part of his English curriculum. Often used to learn secondary languages, Austin is drawn to the program’s interactive visuals.​​ A highlight of ASU Prep Digital’s high-quality online program available to all students is the ability to rewatch lessons and resubmit assignments, which also helps Austin in his coursework.

Embracing challenge: Gavin’s growth

Meanwhile, Austin’s younger brother Gavin faces a different set of challenges. His mom describes him as extremely bright and like a sponge for information, having learned alongside his older brother. His mom said at his previous school, Gavin was bored. He was given a weekly worksheet for extra enrichment, and told to patiently wait for his classmates to catch up. His parents knew he needed more.

Following diagnostic assessments at ASU Prep Digital, Gavin was immediately placed in higher-level courses. Self-driven and independent, Gavin is happy to work ahead of deadlines, with limited parental oversight.

The family explains that they “were blown out of the water” by ASU Prep Digital’s environment of supportive, respectful, and collaborative communication that allowed Gavin to move ahead.

An approach to education that works

Austin and Gavin’s parents express their gratitude for ASU Prep Digital’s approach to education, which incorporates technology and a customized curriculum personalized to meet the unique needs of each student.

Rather than adhering to a one-size-fits-all approach, the educators at ASU Prep Digital recognize the importance of adapting teaching methods to suit individual learning styles. This commitment to tailoring education ensures that all students, regardless of their specific needs, have an equal opportunity to succeed.

“All students learn differently. They aren’t all the same, but they’re all capable,” says Grant. This philosophy resonates deeply with the school community, as they strive to create an inclusive environment where each student can reach their full potential.

Learn more

Austin and Gavin’s story highlights the significance of personalized education, supportive communities, and educators who are willing to go above and beyond to ensure that every child can succeed. With the right tools and support in place, “All Kids Can” at ASU Prep Digital.

For more information about ASU Prep Digital, please join us at an upcoming information session.

The world is evolving at an ever-increasing pace with career industries and roles being redefined seemingly overnight. It’s just one reason why Peoria Unified School District (PUSD)’s MET Professional Academy supports students who are interested in the fields surrounding Medical, Engineering, Technology, Entrepreneurship and Bioscience. They truly understand the significance of innovative education focusing on career readiness in such an ever-changing landscape.

In a groundbreaking partnership, ASU Prep Global and PUSD’s MET Professional Academy are collaborating with the City of Peoria and Edson Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute at ASU, to set up students for success while still in high school. The innovative partnership equips students with essential skills, not just for their first job, but for a lifelong career in high-demand STEM fields.

ASU Prep Global Business course

Students participating in the program take a Global Business course through ASU Prep Global, giving them a solid foundation in Global Commerce, International Finance, Regional Integration, Trade Relations, Legal Agreements, Cultural Influences, Global Organization, and Global Logistics.

MET Teacher Nicole Nitschke and ASU Professional Learning Advisor Michelle Gilbert oversee the program onsite several days a week, meeting with students on client-based projects and internships and arranging guest speakers. Mary O’Malley, the ASU Prep Digital Community Partnerships Manager explains that Ms. Gilbert is perfect for the role: “She has a teaching and school administration background, has been a small business owner herself, and is a Peoria resident. She’s the perfect trifecta.”

Treating students like working professionals, the partnership immerses students in a professional culture providing them with industry-standard tools, mentorship from experts and tailored business experiences.

Client-based projects & site visits

In addition to coursework, students participate in client-based projects with local businesses, as well as tailored site visits. Under the mentorship of entrepreneur Eric Nilsson, students choose projects they are interested in and then interview for positions. After a selection process, they are grouped into teams with an assigned student leader responsible for managing the scope of the project. These teams meet weekly, utilizing project management tools and receiving guidance from business owners.

Teams have pitched marketing proposals to the owner of AZ Ice, developed new menu items for Jupiter Wings, and worked on brand awareness for PLS Farm and the Aspiring Youth Academy. For Socialyfe, they provided valuable research and feedback on the design of a social media app. And for Bausch and Lomb, they gained experience in product promotion. Students also benefited from business site visits to corporations like REI and Vanguard.

At the end of the semester, all students present their project results to business partners, judges, MET Academy students, teachers, administrators, and families. These experiences provide real-world application of the knowledge and skills learned and valuable connections and mentorship from successful entrepreneurs. As an added benefit, 100% of the students in the program earned an A or B in their semester coursework, with nearly 80% earning an A.

Ms. Gilbert explains these multifaceted projects are a unique hands-on experience for students “to learn valuable skills in project management, marketing, research, and presentation.” Ms. O’Malley agrees, saying it’s through these hyper-local business experiences that “the learning really comes to life.”

ASU Entrepreneurship Co-lab

The program also includes the ASU Entrepreneurship Co-lab which provides personalized guidance and support for students pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams. Sessions throughout the year are focused on developing students’ entrepreneurial skills and knowledge, and offer the opportunity to compete for funding of up to $10,000 for their own business ventures.

Prep for college, careers, and life

ASU Prep Global and PUSD’s MET Professional Academy partnership in global business and entrepreneurship offers unique opportunities and resources for business-minded students with an entrepreneurial spirit. With an innovative approach to learning, personalized mentorship, and opportunities for real-world experience, the program is paving the way for students’ career readiness in high-demand STEM fields.

ASU Prep Global is passionate about our commitment to successfully prepare students for college, careers, and life. Visit our website to learn more.

Originally published on USA Today.

Dallas Salas is about to complete a Bachelor’s degree in neuroscience at Arizona State University at just 18. The Phoenix teen has dealt with a host of challenges in his life, including homelessness and an incarcerated parent.

Dallas Salas talks really fast. The Phoenix teenager moves from topic to topic, touching on the many things he’s passionate about, most of which revolve around helping others.

But his conversational tone isn’t the only thing about Salas that moves at the speed of sound. He’s about to complete his bachelor’s degree in neuroscience at just 18 years old, and he’s got a lot of post-graduate plans.

“I am as open a book as possible,” Salas told USA TODAY, “although people usually skip my story because the pages do not match the cover.”

Judge this book by his cover, and you’ll miss a lot. Salas’ story is one filled with twists and turns, ups and downs. His family lost their Scottsdale, Arizona, home to arson when Dallas was a young child, plunging them into homelessness. His father, a member of the Latin Kings, a notoriously violent gang, is incarcerated.

His mom, whose own life is the stuff of novels, overcame domestic violence and has seen her other children struggle with mental illness, hydrocephalus and autism. Dallas had leukemia as a child, though he recently learned he’s now in full remission.

His life, he admitted, has been “truly a roller coaster.”

“But I think it shows just how resilient I am, how good I am at overcoming obstacles that get in my way.”

‘A lot of determination and perseverance’

While he was a high school student at Arizona State Preparatory Academy, an online K-12 school, he was also taking courses at Maricopa Community Colleges and Arizona State University. He’ll graduate from ASU in December.

When he began studying at ASU Prep, he was struggling academically, but he worked with Kristen Rund, a digital learning success coach.

“He really showed a lot of determination and perseverance,” Rund recalled. It’s not uncommon for students to struggle when they transition from a traditional, in-person school to virtual study, she said, but Salas understood how important academic success would be for his future.

“I saw him grow, and we’d talk through strategies, discuss what worked for him and what didn’t. His strength is really his intrinsic motivation, being the best person academically that he can be.”

Constance Salas, Dallas’ mother, saw her son struggling in school, and believed it was because he wasn’t feeling sufficiently challenged. A friend told her about ASU Prep, and she thought it might be a better fit for her son.

‘When he was 7, he wanted a filing cabinet’

Even as a small child, she said, Dallas was precocious.

“He was never a normal child,” she said. Her other children would ask for toys; Dallas wanted pens, pencils and papers to write down his thoughts. “When he was 7, he wanted a filing cabinet.”

Constance tried to protect her son from the chaos surrounding him, steering him away from television and giving him books. Still, she gives him all the credit for his accomplishments.

“It’s amazing,” she said. “He’s worked so hard. Sometimes I worried he might burn out, but then I realized that I had planted this seed, and I had to step back and see if it would grow.”

That growth, Salas hopes, will lead him to Arizona State’s Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law, to pursue his interest in Civil Rights and LGBTQ+ rights. And perhaps eventually to the Mayo Clinic’s Alix School of Medicine, where he’d like to study neurosurgery.

Family’s early struggles helped mold teen

Salas talks about his past in a very matter-of-fact way: He has a close relationship with his father but acknowledges having to separate the loving parent he knows from the crimes he’s accused of committing. He credits holistic medicine with overcoming leukemia, even as he plans a career in modern medicine. His family’s struggles, he said, made him into the person he is.

Even his mother, though proud, is surprised at how much he’s done in such a short period of time. She thought about scaling back his academic demands so he could enjoy more of his childhood, but her son wasn’t having it: “Dallas has outsmarted me every time,” she said with a chuckle.

“Living in hotels and not knowing what was going to happen each day really set me up for success,” he said. “I’m always expecting the unexpected.”

Contact Phaedra Trethan by email at ptrethan@usatoday.com or on X (formerly Twitter) @wordsbyphaedra.

 

 

In a dedicated effort to guide young minds toward college and career pathways, ASU Preparatory Academy and Pipeline Design & Engineering have united to forge an extraordinary high school internship program. This groundbreaking collaboration, rooted in Pipeline’s innovative CAD Club initiative, offers the opportunity for high school students to gain practical engineering experience.

Recently, FOX 10 Phoenix highlighted this initiative in a compelling video, shedding light on the 10-week internship program that has opened new doors for students interested in STEM education, preparing students for future opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Paving the way for young engineers

At the heart of this partnership is Aaron Moncur, President of Pipeline Design & Engineering, whose journey into education was sparked by a deeply personal experience. Last school year, one of Aaron’s children confronted the terrifying reality of a school lockdown due to an active shooter threat. This poignant experience fueled Aaron’s determination to make a positive impact on the lives of young individuals.

Motivated to make a difference, Aaron launched the summer CAD Club for teens aged 13 and up. Using the OnShape computer-aided design (CAD) software, CAD Club quickly became a sanctuary for teens to explore the captivating realm of engineering. Despite not being an educator, Aaron leveraged his resources to provide a constructive outlet. He emphasizes this initiative isn’t just about teaching computer-aided design; rather, it is also about teaching students valuable life skills through Pipeline’s core tenets such as “persistence beats brilliance” and “be honest.”

From summer club to engineering internship program

With a shared mission to make a meaningful impact, Aaron connected with Felecia O’Neal, ASU Prep’s Network College & Career Coordinator. Felecia was determined to ensure students did not miss out on this transformative opportunity, even during summer break. Within weeks, a conference room at Pipeline echoed with the enthusiasm of Prep high school students working on real-world engineering challenges.

Building upon this initial success, Felecia proposed the creation of a high school internship program at the onset of the fall semester. In the proposed program, ASU Prep students would dedicate 60 hours to CAD Club activities over the course of a semester, complemented by job-shadowing opportunities and hands-on engagement in ongoing Pipeline engineering projects. What emerged was an unprecedented opportunity for high school students to act as true engineers within a real-world engineering company.

As the fall semester progressed, six ASU Prep student interns from various Prep campuses around Phoenix actively practiced engineering skills and thinking at Pipeline Design and Engineering. They earned high school credit while also gaining practical engineering skills development and invaluable real-world experience. This partnership exemplifies the transformative impact of collaboration with industry experts, empathy, and a shared commitment to empowering the next generation of engineers.

Apply for upcoming internship opportunities at ASU Prep

The success of the fall semester internship lay the groundwork for the upcoming spring semester. Felecia O’Neal encourages interested Prep students to email felecia.oneal@asu.edu for the spring internship application process.

Have an idea for a virtual or in-person internship opportunity?

For organizations or businesses eager to contribute or create innovative high school internships programs for ASU Prep students, learn more by reviewing ASU Prep’s guidelines for internship supervisors.

This collaborative endeavor, fueled by a parent’s concern and an educator’s vision, is reshaping the educational narrative in Arizona. ASU Prep and Pipeline Design & Engineering have orchestrated an initiative that not only imparts engineering principles but showcases the profound impact partnerships can have on the lives of young individuals in search of inspiration and direction.