and Purpose
At ASU Prep Digital, we prepare for college, career, and life. The mission of ASU Prep Digital is to design new models for educational success and to raise academic achievement for all learners. We are committed to ASU’s core values of excellence, access and impact in everything we do. We measure ourselves by the outcomes our students achieve, the accomplishments of our graduates, our contributions to the public good and by the economic, social, and cultural vitality of the communities that surround us. This handbook provides guidelines and expectations for students, staff, and families that will support a learning environment to best accomplish the mission of ASU Prep Digital.
ASU Prep Digital is organized to maximize the involvement of all stakeholders including students, parents/guardians, support staff, teachers, administrators, board members and the community. We are committed to a shared process of decision-making by consensus.
Governance
ASU Prep Digital is part of ASU Preparatory Academy, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, and has formed a corporation in the State of Arizona. The governing body is the ASU Preparatory Academy Board of Directors.
ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural and overall health of the communities it serves.
Prep for careers.
Prep for life.
Khan World School @ ASU Prep
Khan World School @ ASU Prep is an honors program of ASU Prep Digital. Students work together solving real-world problems in a unique online school model that rewards curiosity, empowers agency and provides them with the skills and confidence needed to excel in college and careers.
Four learning design elements serve as the foundation for the program. Real-time daily seminars provide interactive Socratic discussion to help connect and engage with peers around challenging questions. Small group tutorials offer individual and group discussions to support student growth Khan World School @ ASU Prep in the knowledge, skills and dispositions articulated by the curriculum. Self-paced, personalized learning combines the ASU Prep Digital course content and the Khan Academy curriculum to allow students to follow customized paths toward both graduation requirements and college credit. Finally, peer tutoring through schoolhouse.world, provides Khan World School students with high-demand group tutoring, office-hours, and dedicated virtual study spaces.
Khan World School @ ASU Prep requires an additional program application. All policies in the ASU Prep Digital Handbook apply to KWS except where indicated. The ASU Preparatory Academy leadership will determine any final decisions around application of the handbook to KWS. Also, see Appendix for KWS specific information.
Course Recommendations for KWS
Students in the KWS program must meet the ASU Prep Digital graduation requirements. In addition, we recommend these requirements for Khan World School Students:
- Honors courses for all core subject areas: Mathematics, English, Social Studies, and Science.
- Mathematics completion of at least Calculus prior to graduation with the ability to take multiple math credits each year.
- 1-2 university courses each ASU semester on a major pathway for upperclassmen or as students meet qualifications.
Course Requirements
High school Seminar is a key component of Khan World School. All 9th-12th grade KWS students will enroll in the KWS Seminar course throughout all four years, which includes: live synchronous discussions about real-world topics with required participation, test preparation, and project-planning.
In grade 11 students will be required to enroll in an additional 0.5 credit course called Junior Seminar where they begin their Senior Capstone and college admissions preparation.
In grade 12 students will be required to enroll in an additional 0.5 credit course called Senior Seminar where they will complete their Senior Capstone project and finalize college applications.
Transfer to ASU Prep Digital
Students who decide to transfer from Khan World School to ASU Prep Digital are encouraged to do so at the semester. The KWS Guide will work with the ASU Prep Digital Learning Success Coach on placement and transfer of credits.
Attendance
Students are required to attend live Seminar and/or Tutorials as part of KWS on a daily basis. At Khan World School, KWS Guides will enter attendance due to the synchronous requirements. All other ASU Prep Digital attendance policies apply.
KWS Guides
KWS Guides will serve as advisors and subject expert teachers for students. Each student will have a designated Guide who will assist with course selections, college going milestones, and general support for their learning. KWS Guides will also conduct Individualized Learning Conferences with students. Any language in the ASU Prep Digital handbook that refers to LSCs or teachers will correspond to KWS Guides in this program.
KWS Calendar & Course Schedule
KWS students will follow the same school year calendar and breaks as ASU Prep Digital. However, the KWS high school courses taught by KWS Guides will be 1.0 credits, or year long. Students are expected to stay on track to complete all courses within one school year but may accelerate as needed. Seminars and tutorials are not held during the summer. At minimum, students will be scheduled for at least 5.0 core classes in middle grades and 6.0 high school credits or university-equivalent courses per school year.
Admissions Requirements & Application Process
Admissions Requirements
Students at Khan World school must reapply annually to remain in the program. Current requirements are:
Students interested in applying for KWS must meet the following requirements. Students who meet the minimum requirements may complete the KWS Application
Admission Process
KWS students must apply through a 3-Phase process. Students must meet Application Requirements as well as provide the following documents:
Application Checklist Includes:
- Current transcript (must show courses in progress)
- Most recent standardized test scores for ELA and Math (may be from the most previous school year)
- Reference Letter
- Student Introduction Video
- Mock Seminar (scheduled after Phase 2)
KWS Grade Scale
At KWS, all middle grades and high school level courses utilize a mastery grading model and scale. The focus at KWS is deep learning and personalization of the journey for each individual student. All core courses at the middle grades and high school level are year long experiences. While students are working towards mastery of learning, their grade will show “in progress.” As students meet at least 80% of the course complete with a grade of at least 80% or higher, their grade will then equate to a “B” or meeting competency. All students are encouraged to continue learning until they reach 90% or higher with the coursework complete.
Each KWS course will include a syllabus that defines the 80% progress point for the course. The syllabus will also state expectations for mastery of the course.
Qualifies for 1.0 credit
Qualifies for 1.0 credit
Honor Roll
KWS Honor Roll will be announced after the school calendar year is complete for 1.0 credit courses. The same GPA bands will be recognized for KWS as ASU Prep Digital. Students must complete at least 4 courses in Middle Grades or 6.0 credits per year at the high school to be eligible for Honor Roll. Any courses over 6.0 credits “In Progress” at the calculation of Honor Roll will not be included in the year’s calculation but will be eligible for inclusion the following year. Students should finish all of the 6.0 credits by the end of June of the current school year.
In order to earn Khan World School honor cord distinction at graduation, students will need to successfully complete all program requirements including successfully completing Junior Seminar and Senior Seminar with the Capstone Project if they are with us during 11th and 12th grades. If students are only with us in 12th grade, they will need to successfully complete Senior Seminar and the Capstone Project.
Progress Reports/Report Cards
During “In Progress,” students and parents will be able to follow their progress in Infinite Campus, Canvas and Khan Academy for individual assignments. Infinite Campus hosts the official credit, transcripts, and GPAs and will not be updated to “B” or “A” until mastery has been met. Students always have the opportunity to improve to an A. Should a student need a traditional report card or transcript while “In Progress”, the registrar will be able to produce a customized report. Students may request this through their KWS Guides.
Tuition
- The tuition for full-time students who are Arizona residents will be paid for by the state at no cost to families.
- Students who live in the US, but outside Arizona, will pay $9,900 per year tuition.
- Students who live outside the US will pay $12,900 per year.
- Tuition for all students does include the opportunity to take two university courses per semester and earn college credit.
- All other tuition policies apply to KWS students with the exception of the total amount.
New Student Orientation
Khan World School students will participate in a weeklong New Student Orientation similar to ASU Prep Digital but modified to meet the onboarding requirements for KWS, including introduction to Seminars, Small Groups, Khan Academy, and Schoolhouse.world.
ASU Prep Digital+
Students will be able to choose from a pathway at each campus with the flexibility to enroll in 1, 2, or 3-day programming. ASU Prep Digital+ programs progress every student’s learning experience and potential, preparing them for college and career.
College-Going
Interested in taking college classes? Students enroll in an on-site or online college course at one of the ASU campus sites*. Students are given the opportunity to set themselves on a college pathway, engage with peers and adults, and develop their Profile of a Learner skills. College-going pathway students should plan to attend campus at least twice per week, depending on college course schedule.
*Site-specific college courses may be offered. Enrollment in college courses are dependent on site availability, a student’s academic standing, and will be confirmed through the Program Manager and LSC.
Academic Learning Hub
Need a “work from site” day? Students have the option of attending a site to engage in their Digital or college coursework. Academic Learning Hubs will run once a week. Students can enroll as a stand-alone day, or add this to their ASU Prep Digital+ weekly experience.
Project-Based Learning Experience
Interested in exploring topics and learning more about the world around you? Students enroll in a Project-Based Learning elective each semester that is grounded in the experience and expertise at each location. In this course, students will have the opportunity to learn from experts and explore their interests.
**Site offerings and programmings will be determined by May 2024
ASU Prep Digital+ Programming and Courses
ASU Prep Digital+ will be offering several high school (9th-12th) cohorts for the 2024-2025 school year. We will host semester and year-long programs at ASU’s Tempe, West Valley and MIX Center campuses.
Students will be able to choose from a pathway at each campus with the flexibility to enroll in 1, 2, or 3-day programming. ASU Prep Digital+ programs progress every student’s learning experience and potential, preparing them for college and career.
College-Going
Interested in taking college classes? Students enroll in an on-site or online college course at one of the ASU campus sites*. Students are given the opportunity to set themselves on a college pathway, engage with peers and adults, and develop their Profile of a Learner skills. College-going pathway students should plan to attend campus at least twice per week, depending on college course schedule.
*Site-specific college courses may be offered. Enrollment in college courses are dependent on site availability, a student’s academic standing, and will be confirmed through the Program Manager and LSC.
Academic Learning Hub
Need a “work from site” day? Students have the option of attending a site to engage in their Digital or college coursework. Academic Learning Hubs will run once a week. Students can enroll as a stand-alone day, or add this to their ASU Prep Digital+ weekly experience.
Project-Based Learning Experience
Interested in exploring topics and learning more about the world around you? Students enroll in a Project-Based Learning elective each semester that is grounded in the experience and expertise at each location. In this course, students will have the opportunity to learn from experts and explore their interests.
**Site offerings and programmings will be determined by May 2024
Based on the pathway that students choose, they will be enrolled in a high school elective class, which may or may not be for credit (ie. College-going students are receiving both college and high school credit for their college course, and will be enrolled in an Advisory course which is Pass/Fail and is not credit-bearing.)
ASU Prep Digital+ Attendance
Students are required to be on-site for their assigned cohort or Experience day(s) and should limit absence to less than 3 per semester. Attendance will be taken on-site each day by the PLA. However, parents are required to log a student’s digital attendance for the remainder of their week per the policy in the ASU Prep Family Handbook.
In the event that state testing is scheduled on the same day as your cohort or experienced day(s), state testing takes precedence.
Personalized Learning Advisors
Personalized Learning Advisors (PLAs) will serve as advisors and facilitators of learning on-site. PLAs will coach and guide students in their academic, social, and emotional success in collaboration with the family, LSC and Digital teachers. Additionally, PLAs will collaborate with ASU faculty to provide college preparatory and hands-on learning experiences.
ASU Prep Digital+ Student Health/Medication Needs
If your student has any specific health needs, including, but not limited to allergies, medications that must be administered during program hours, or health-related conditions that may affect participation in the program, a health professional’s documentation will be required.
ASU Prep Digital+ Emergency
In the event of an emergency, we will notify all guardians based on the Emergency Contact in Infinite Campus. We will follow the emergency plan and guidance of ASU Prep, the University, and/or safety personnel.
ASU Prep Digital+ Lunch
Students are responsible for bringing or purchasing their own lunch on the days they are on campus. Students are requested to bring their lunch on the first day of the program.
ASU Prep Digital+ Dress Code
Students are not required to wear a uniform and may dress in clothing that is weather and school appropriate.
ASU Prep Digital+ Arrival/Dismissal
Families are expected to coordinate transportation to and from the campus where their student is enrolled. The ASU Prep Digital+ program hours are from 9am-3pm on their designated day(s). Students who plan to stay on campus after the school day ends will need to have a permission slip signed by a parent or guardian.
ASU Prep Digital+ Supervision/Campus Policies
Students will be on a college campus and will be monitored by an ASU Prep staff member(s). At times, students may work independently, in small groups, and/or with advanced students and professors under program supervision. Students are expected to collaborate, participate fully, and honor all ASU Prep and ASU student expectations in the ASU Prep Digital Family Handbook.
Laptops, Cell Phones and Social Media Use
Students are encouraged to bring their own laptops and/or tablets to complete work. If a student cannot bring a laptop to the program, they may borrow one from ASU Prep. Students should not utilize their cell phone during class time, unless instructed by a staff member, and ringers should be muted or phones turned off. Students can use cell phones during lunch and breaks. Students may not record videos, take pictures, or post on social media during school hours unless instructed by a staff member.
ASU Prep Digital+ Behavior Expectations
Students are expected to collaborate, participate fully, and honor all ASU Prep and ASU student expectations in the ASU Prep Digital Family Handbook. If a student cannot meet the expectations after interventions, a meeting with the students’ guardian(s) and LSC may be required and their ability to continue in the program may be in jeopardy.
ASU Prep Digital+ Communication
Students and guardians should communicate directly with the Personalized Learning Advisor on-site for any questions or concerns. Students may also have the opportunity to communicate directly with professors. When a student needs to communicate with a professor they should cc’ their Personalize Learning Advisor. Students can also communicate with the LSCs regarding any course enrollment information.
ASU Prep Digital+ Calendar
ASU Prep Digital+ students will follow the same school year calendar as ASU Prep Digital. Students will be on campus on their respective cohort days or experience day unless that day falls on a holiday or a no school day. Students will not be expected to be on-campus any holiday or no-school day, per the ASU Prep Digital calendar, to meet with their cohort, however, may be required to attend their college class.