MASK The Magazine – August 2019

What role do parents and families have in their student’s

education at ASU Preparatory Academy?

At ASU Prep, we believe family engagement and support

help make critical contributions to student success. We are

committed to working with families to foster a positive and

productive educational environment. Research has shown

that students who have the support of their families are more

successful in school and ultimately more prepared for college

and career upon graduation.

We have programs in which families help families (parent

workshops and clubs, volunteering opportunities), families

help students (outreach events, at-home teaching and learning

initiatives), families help staff (office help, in-class aide,

chaperone field trips), and families help school-wide (school

surveys, focus groups, fundraising events).

What type of curriculum does ASU Preparatory Academy

offer?

ASU Prep is a Cambridge Curriculum school aligned with

the AZ College and Career Ready standards focused on

critical thinking skills and deep learning experiences. The

Cambridge Curriculum helps students develop critical thinking

and learning skills that prepare them for success in college.

Programs are designed to be challenging. Students learn the

key concepts of each subject by examining them in depth, and

at their own pace. Each area is flexible so that teachers can

use relevant examples like local context and culture. Students

have to demonstrate core understanding of a subject and be

able to think critically. Exams are used to recognize, reward

and encourage this learning.

ASU Preparatory Academy

// asuprep.asu.edu

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PHOTOGRAPHY Courtesy of ASU Preparatory Academy V9 - FALL maskmatters.org 85
What is ASU Preparatory Academy’s mission?
ASU Preparatory Academy is an innovative K-12 charter
school where teachers, students and families share the
same goal: college graduation. Our mission is to provide
premium environments for learning, helping all students
become innovative leaders and problem-solvers who
are prepared for success in college and their preferred
careers.
How many schools are in the ASU Preparatory
Academy network?
ASU Prep is made up of schools throughout the greater
Phoenix area and include campuses in Casa Grande
and Tempe, as well as Poly Preschool, Poly STEM
Academy, Poly High School, Phoenix Preschool, Phoenix
Elementary, Phoenix Middle School, Phoenix High
School, South Phoenix Primary & Intermediate, and
South Phoenix Intermediate and High School.
The academy also offers an online high school
program called ASU Prep Digital, where students can take a
single online course or enroll in a full-time, diploma-granting
program. Concurrent courses offer the chance to earn
both high school and university credit.
What kind of learning experience does ASU
Preparatory Academy provide?
ASU Prep offers an inclusive environment that is
personalized to their needs. It includes:

• An Individualized Learning Plan (ILP)
  developed for each student in consultation with
  parents/guardians and families. This plan includes a
  list of learning outcomes the student is expected to achieve
  and a visual indicator of progress, as well as an agenda for
  personal conferences with the student’s teachers and parents/
  guardians. The final level of achievement on each learning
  outcome will be a part of the student’s 10-week report card.


• The STEM Academy, where students engage in content
  and engineering challenges offered by leading STEM and
  partnering organizations.


• The opportunity to explore college majors and career
  disciplines through personalized academic apprenticeships
  with ASU faculty and community organizations. Students
  can also develop leadership skills, public speaking skills, and
  civic responsibility through Capstone project ventures and
  university experiences. After demonstrating readiness, juniors
  and seniors have the opportunity to take ASU courses while
  supported by ASU Prep faculty.


• The opportunity to create a project/product that
  showcases the learning achieved during the quarter. At the
  end of the quarter, students and families gather together in
  the evening for a display of the work accomplished. These
  events, called Summatives, are times for celebration of work
  completed and goals mastered.

COMMUNITY

CLOSEUP

ASU Preparatory Academy