ASU Prep Digital, Author at ASU Prep Digital

Is It Time to Try Concurrent Enrollment?

« Back | January 3, 2020 - ASU Prep Digital

It’s finally 2020! Can you believe it? The best part of a new year is getting to set new goals for yourself, whether it’s physical, mental, or educational. If you’ve been looking for a way to challenge yourself at school, and you’re ready to make a change, it may be time to try concurrent enrollment.

There are so many benefits to earning college credit in high school. Between learning time management skills and knocking some required college classes out of the way early, earning college credit is a great way to set yourself up for success.

But how can I earn college credit in high school?

There are a number of ways, but the most popular are dual enrollment and concurrent enrollment. While they’re similar, you’ll enroll in a major university with concurrent enrollment as opposed to a community college. That might not seem like a major difference, but you’d be surprised!

Concurrent enrollment at ASU Prep Digital enables students to take college courses with ASU. ASU is ranked #1 in the U.S. for innovation for the fifth year in a row and is recognized as a Research I university. You’ll be taught by real ASU professors, receive support from professors, teachers, and a Learning Success Coach, and have the opportunity to explore career pathways. Don’t believe us? Check out this student testimonial and see for yourself!

Alright, I’m ready to try concurrent enrollment! What now?

ASU Prep Digital is still accepting full-time applications for the spring semester. If you’d like to try concurrent enrollment through ASU, here are the enrollment deadlines and start dates:

Enroll by January 3 for a January 13 start date (half semester)
Enroll by January 3 for a January 13 start date (full semester)
Enroll by March 3 for a March 16 start date (full semester)

Complete the enrollment process here to begin your college career with ASU Prep Digital. We can’t wait to welcome you into our community of learners!

What Are the Benefits of Earning College Credit in High School?

« Back | December 6, 2019 - ASU Prep Digital

As you navigate through high school, it’s no secret that college prep is at the forefront of your mind (probably due to your parents and teachers stressing its importance). While you’re deciding where to apply, studying for the ACT and SAT, and taking on more extracurriculars to enhance your application, there’s another factor you should consider: earning college credit.

That sounds crazy, right? Earning college credit in high school? Truth be told, it’s actually one of the best ways to prepare for college. Here’s why:

You’ll develop time management skills

College is all about being able to balance your schedule so you can get everything done in a timely fashion—and still have time to have fun! Additionally, college classes are more rigorous and require more of your time, whether it’s writing papers, completing assignments, or studying for exams. Taking a college course in high school will not only teach you how to manage your time effectively, but also how to handle college-level workloads without getting too overwhelmed.

You can explore different interests

Do you have a hobby that feels like it could be a potential career someday? There are so many subjects you can major in, whether you love to write, play video games, build things, or draw. A huge benefit of taking college courses in high school is that you get to explore different career pathways by taking classes that pique your interest and align with your passions. Check out this blog post that outlines four interests you can easily turn into a major once you get to college.

You’ll have less classes to take in college

Your first two years of college are filled with required general education classes. These consist of things like composition, college algebra and language courses, which you need in order to graduate. Many of these are available for you to take in high school, which means you can free up time in your freshman and sophomore years to enhance and personalize your college experience. It also means that you’ll be able to accelerate your path through college. This could lead to taking classes in your major sooner or even graduating early!

You’ll save money in the long run

When you get to college, you’ll find the costs add up quickly when you account for classes, room and board, textbooks, food, and other miscellaneous items. It still costs money to take college classes in high school, but it’s significantly cheaper. Even if you only earn a handful of college credits before you graduate high school, it has the potential to save you thousands of dollars down the line.

Going into college with several credits means taking less classes and potentially graduating early. Not only will you save money on not taking as many classes, but graduating early would also save you money on things like room and board and textbooks!

Now that you know some of the many benefits of earning college credit in high school, you’re probably wondering how you can enroll in college classes. In our next blog post we’ll explore how dual enrollment and concurrent enrollment are different. You can read a few of our related blog posts on this subject to familiarize yourself with both terms:

In the meantime, if you’re looking for more information on the benefits of earning college credit, check out these resources:

ASU Prep Digital Student Spotlight – Olivia Bolles

« Back | November 27, 2019 - ASU Prep Digital

When you dig deep to figure out how online high school students are successful, you’ll discover they are organized, goal-oriented, and self-motivated.

Olivia Bolles embodies all of these traits—and she’s a force to be reckoned with.

Bolles began online school in junior high, making her a veteran online learner. After trying out public school her freshman year of high school, she enrolled in a private online high school in 10th grade before finding her way to our community of learners.

“When we found out we were moving to Arizona, we switched to ASU Prep Digital,” Bolles said. “ASU Prep Digital’s connection to ASU, and the ability to take online college classes, was very appealing to me.”

Along with being able to take university courses through ASU, being an ASU Prep Digital student affords Bolles the opportunity to make more time for her biggest passion—music.

“I’ve been playing violin for 12 years and the piano for 9,” Bolles said. “Every week, I go to ASU for a private violin lesson with an ASU professor. Additionally, I’m the assistant concertmaster of the Phoenix Youth Symphony Orchestra!”

Because she can set her own schedule, and work from anywhere, Bolles is able to do schoolwork and make time to practice music, ensuring she never misses a ‘beat.’

“My musical endeavors keep me very busy,” Bolles said. “I know I wouldn’t be able to practice music as much if it weren’t for the flexibility of my ASU Prep Digital schedule.”

As an experienced online learner, Bolles has come to find that online school has many benefits. The most unexpected benefit, in her opinion, has been growing into an independent learner.

“By the time you’re in college, your professors will expect you to be mature and responsible enough to know when assignments are due,” Bolles said. “Unfortunately, many students are so used to having teachers in a brick-and-mortar constantly reminding them when assignments are due and tests are happening. Online school prepares you for college in a way that a brick-and-mortar may not.”

While Bolles learns skills that will benefit her in college, she’s already thinking about what path she might take—and how she can get a head start while she’s still in high school.

“I would like to double major in violin performance and journalism,” Bolles said. “At the beginning of next semester, I’ll take college English and sociology. I’m even considering adding on a college level Spanish course as well.”

Bolles is on a successful path and shows no signs of slowing down. And for those who are new to ASU Prep Digital, and online learning in general, she offers advice that will prove useful as you navigate this new experience.

“Be sure to utilize your pace charts!” Bolles said. “Make lots of checklists and keep a detailed schedule. And don’t be afraid to contact teachers. Our teachers are extremely willing to help and will go above and beyond to make sure we are succeeding, both in and out of school.”

Interested in learning more about our students? Check out these spotlights:

And don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on all things ASU Prep Digital.

What is STEM?

« Back | November 22, 2019 - ASU Prep Digital

Do any of your students spend hours outside with a telescope on breezy nights, excitedly locating and pointing out constellations? Or devote a few hours every night to teaching themselves how to code, hoping to create their own website or app one day?

If so, they may have an interest and potential career path in STEM.

According to Live Science, STEM is a “curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.” While students can take separate classes in each of these four subjects, STEM education can also take an interdisciplinary approach and integrate all subjects to make it a cohesive learning experience.

Why is it so important?

Not only do students learn a handful of important skills in STEM courses, such as problem solving and critical thinking, but these jobs are also in high demand—and only becoming increasingly more important.

Last year, it was projected that 2.4 million STEM jobs would go unfulfilled. Meanwhile, from now until 2027, STEM jobs are expected to grow 13%. And if you’re wondering what jobs fall under the STEM umbrella, and how important they are, here are some examples:

Software Engineer
Pharmacy Technician
Green Power Creator
Web Developer
Environmental Engineer

These jobs are crucial to sustaining and improving society as a whole, whether it’s finding ways to distribute information or discovering solutions to environmental issues.

How is STEM implemented in curriculum?

With the knowledge that STEM is significant to our success as a society, how do we make sure students are prepared to pursue a major and potential career in one of the many related fields? And more than that, how do we cultivate an interest in these subjects?

The first step is to make sure STEM is being integrated into your curriculum across the board. Chances are you offer science and math courses independently, but you can introduce key concepts and skills from STEM into classes you already have or partner with a virtual high school to provide more classes and expand your students’ opportunities.

But that’s not enough. The second and equally important step is to engage students. These subjects are not easy and there has been a declining interest in STEM over the last few years, making it harder to steer students in the direction of possibly pursuing a career in a related field.

Schools like ASU Prep Digital use technology to keep students engaged and excited to learn, whether it’s launching a crew on a mission to Mars in their BioBeyond course, or taking virtual field trips. Giving students more virtual or hands-on activities enhances the learning experience and shows them how the concepts they’re mastering apply to real-world situations and careers.

STEM education is a vital part of every student’s education and introducing it in high school courses is a great way to pique their interest and encourage them to pursue it in future courses in college, and beyond.

Interested in learning more about how ASU Prep Digital incorporates STEM into their curriculum? Check out the career pathways students can explore within the STEM field and which courses are recommended for each major.

How Do Online Classes Work?

« Back | November 14, 2019 - ASU Prep Digital

Can you believe it’s almost January? In between dreaming about winter break and finishing your classes strong, you’re probably starting to think ahead to next semester. If you’re trying to figure out how to juggle classes, a social life, and extracurriculars, we have a solution for you—online classes.

But how do online classes work?

We’re glad you asked. Unlike classes in a traditional high school setting, you won’t meet multiple times a week. Instead, you’ll meet once a week for a live lesson where you will be able to ask questions and participate in group discussions with your instructor and classmates. And if you’re wondering how the rest of your school week will go, that’s up to you.

Even though you’ll only meet once a week per class, you’ll still be responsible for completing assignments and studying independently throughout the week. But the best part is that you can do this anytime, from anywhere.

Online classes give you the freedom to create a schedule that fits your needs. This means you can do all of your work for one class in a single day, or divide it up among the week. It also means that you can factor in extra time for a class you’re struggling in or work ahead so you have time to practice the piano before a big recital.

You’ll be able to view your grades at any time, making it easy for you to make adjustments and meet with your instructors if you’re struggling.

At ASU Prep Digital, you’ll also be assigned a Learning Success Coach. Your LSC will not only help you develop short- and long-term goals, but also work with you to create a personalized pathway that will take you through high school, into college, and on to a career.

How does enrollment work?

If you’re interested in taking online classes, you can choose to enroll part-time or full-time.

Part-time means that you would still take classes in a traditional school, but you would take one to three classes online, giving you the freedom to complete them at school in a lab or in the comfort of your home.

Full-time means that you would be taking four or more classes online. This means you can complete your coursework anywhere, at any time, and not have to worry about physically going to school.

There has never been a better time to enroll in an online high school. From setting your own schedule to getting a head start on college, online learning is a great option for students who want to maximize their education.

Want to dive further into the anatomy of an online class? Check out these ASU Prep Digital course reviews:

And don’t forget to stay up to date on all things ASU Prep Digital by subscribing to our newsletter.

What is Blended Learning?

« Back | November 7, 2019 - ASU Prep Digital

Education is not one size fits all. This is why educators are constantly looking for ways to better engage and serve their students. While the idea of personalized learning isn’t a new concept, it has become more popular as educators determine how to implement it.

And one of the best ways is through blended learning.

Defining blended learning

According to the Clayton Christensen Institute, blended learning is “a formal education program in which a student learns at least in part through online learning…[and] at least in part in a supervised brick-and-mortar location away from home.” What this essentially means is that students will still attend a traditional school, but may take one or two courses online in the classroom, a computer lab, or in the comfort of their home.

This approach is as beneficial to educators and administrators as it is to the students. Not every student engages with curriculum in the same way, and blended learning allows teachers to personalize the experience so students get the most out of their education.

What are the benefits of blended learning?

While there are plenty of benefits to blended learning, it all boils down to this: expanding student opportunities.

Blended learning fills in the gaps that may be keeping your students from reaching their fullest potential. Whether it’s offering a high school course you don’t have the staffing to support, or providing students with access to college courses that will accelerate their path toward university admission, implementing a blended learning model into your curriculum is sure to offer a concrete solution to whatever problem you’re trying to solve.

How is blended learning implemented?

The Clayton Christensen Institute describes four different models that a majority of blended learning programs fall into: rotation model, flex model, a la carte model, and enriched visual model.

These models range from “…a course in which students rotate on a fixed schedule between learning modalities…” to “…a course that a student takes entirely online to accompany other experiences that the student is having at a brick-and-mortar school or learning center.”

Having different models makes it easy to choose the one that best fits your needs and gives your students the tools they need to succeed. If you’re looking for a way to introduce blended learning, consider partnering with a virtual high school, such as ASU Prep Digital.

ASU Prep Digital works with high schools to design blended, online or hybrid school models that will best fit students’ needs. They offer a variety of ways to expand student opportunities and improve outcomes, including:

Providing online instruction from highly qualified high school teachers and ASU professors.
40+ high school and 200+ university courses for use with your teachers or ours.
Face-to-face and web-based professional development on blended learning.

Blending learning benefits everyone, from students and instructors to school and district leaders, and there are resources available to help you enhance your students’ opportunities.

Interested in learning more about the partnerships at ASU Prep Digital? Check out the partnership page and a few success stories:

And be sure to keep up with all things ASU Prep Digital by subscribing to the newsletter.

What Are the Expectations for Parent Involvement in Online Education?

« Back | October 24, 2019 - ASU Prep Digital

When your child is enrolled in a traditional school, you know the level of parent involvement that is expected. You check in nightly on homework assignments and upcoming tests, you attend parent/teacher conferences, and you help them navigate planning for college and the future.

But what if your child is enrolled in an online school?

The good news is there are plenty of opportunities for parent and family involvement in online education. And at ASU Prep Digital, we encourage our families to be just as involved in our community as their children are!

Here are some ways to help your child successfully navigate online school:

Check in often.

High school is the time for your child to begin developing a strong work ethic, good study techniques, and healthy habits to help them balance school and life. And if they’re just beginning online school, this can be an especially stressful time as they develop a routine and adjust to online learning.

“I would recommend a nightly check in during the grace period, or first two weeks of classes,” May Huang, a Learning Success Coach at ASU Prep Digital, said. “Continue this for another week and if they are passing or have As/Bs, proceed with weekly monitoring. However, if a grade drops, then move to nightly.”

Help create a space free of distractions.

One of the key components of online learning is having a work space that promotes productivity. It’s tempting to stay in bed and work all day in PJs (which is totally acceptable with online learning), but sometimes students need a dedicated spot to really buckle down and get things done.

This will look different for every student, but finding a part of your home that is quiet and free of distractions is a great first step. Work with your child to figure out what helps their efficiency and what detracts from their focus.

Keep in touch with instructors and Learning Success Coach.

At a brick-and-mortar school, you may not hear from your child’s teachers after parent/teacher conferences unless your child is struggling in a class.

At ASU Prep Digital, we believe in creating a community of support for your child, which includes his or her instructors and Learning Success Coach. You will be in frequent communication with them whether your student is excelling or needs a little extra help. You will also have access to your child’s courses, so you’ll be able to view their grades and reach out if you have any concerns.

Expand socialization opportunities by attending in-person events.

It’s a common misconception that online high school students don’t socialize the same way brick-and-mortar students do. However, many online high schools continue to debunk this myth—including ASU Prep Digital.

Not only do we offer a variety of online clubs for students to join, we also provide many opportunities for our ASU Prep Digital community to meet in person and get to know one another. From orientations and pizza parties to ASU campus tours, we have plenty of events coming up this fall for you and your child to participate in.

We empower our students to take control of their education, and we want you to feel empowered to help them every step of the way.

Take a look at our Family Handbook and other frequently asked questions for additional information on parent and family involvement. You can also join our ‘Parents of ASU Prep Digital’ Facebook group to share tips and plan meet ups with other families.