ASU Prep to launch hybrid high school on Tempe campus
Photo illustration courtesy ASU Prep
As advancements in education and new models of teaching emerge, the “traditional” high school experience has shifted — with polls showing 49% of parents want their children to learn from home at least one day per week.
To meet the needs of the ever-changing educational landscape, ASU Prep Tempe powered by The Levitt Lab will launch at Arizona State University’s Tempe campus in fall 2025 and offer students in grades nine through 12 a flexible, hybrid schedule — leveraging both digital and in-person curricular resources.
Megan Hanley, executive director of school design for ASU Prep, said that the new school was developed in partnership with renowned economist Steve Levitt and his team at the University of Chicago’s Radical Innovation for Societal Change or RISC, Center to offer a unique seminar-style curriculum that was crafted to meet today’s student needs.
“ASU Prep Tempe serves students who have been frustrated with traditional schooling, particularly those who crave greater ownership, deeper understanding and meaningful engagement with their peers and the instructional staff,” Hanley said. “The program also addresses community needs by focusing on equitable access, fostering collaboration and promoting diverse viewpoints.”
“With ASU Prep’s proven scalability, leadership and resources, and RISC’s groundbreaking seminar-style curriculum, ASU Prep Tempe powered by The Levitt Lab will offer a progressive, high-access, student-centered high school model that can be adapted to other learning environments,” she said.
The new school, enrolling now and set to debut early August 2025, will give high school students the chance to own their educational journey while earning college credits through ASU’s concurrent enrollment program, providing a head start on higher education and career pathways.
“It eliminates the anxiety of going to college because our students are already well versed in the college-going experience long before they even attain their high school diploma,” Hanley said. “In addition, we help our students explore majors and potential careers, helping them save time and money toward a degree. Our goal is for each ASU Prep student to graduate with a minimum of 15 ASU credits.”
Students will be placed in the center of the action on ASU’s Tempe campus, located in Payne Hall, adjacent to the Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation.
“Besides access to the full ASU catalog, students can also access ASU facilities like music rooms, athletic spaces and dining,” Hanley said. “ASU faculty and PhD students may facilitate project modules, connecting students with cutting-edge research and practical applications. Because Tempe is a central hub in the Phoenix metropolitan area, students will also be able to collaborate with local businesses, government and nonprofits in internships, mentorships and projects.”
Levitt calls his vision for the hybrid high school revolutionary. This isn’t Levitt’s first rodeo when it comes to reimagining the high school experience; he partnered with ASU Prep in 2021 to design the Khan World School, a fully online and self-paced program for sixth through 12th graders.
“We’ve reimagined what high school can be by asking one essential question: ‘What do students really need to thrive in life, not just in school?’ Partnering with ASU Prep means we can scale this vision, blending innovation with access to university-level opportunities,” Levitt said. “This is more than a program; it’s a revolution in learning.”
ASU Prep Tempe will follow an important mission: putting students in control, prioritizing purpose over grades, passion over pressure and progress over conformity.
According to Amy McGrath, vice president of Education Outreach and Student Services and managing director of ASU Prep, this new model represents a major step forward in student-centered learning.
“At ASU Prep, we are redefining what high school can be — this isn’t just another program, it’s a bold leap into the future of education. By fusing our expertise in digital learning with ASU’s world-class resources, we’re building a model where students don’t just learn — they lead, explore and thrive.
"This hybrid design isn’t about fitting students into a system; it’s about creating a system that works for students. We can’t wait to see the impact this will have, not just at ASU Prep Tempe, but as a blueprint for the future of high school education.”
Learn more
Interested in more information about ASU Prep Tempe powered by The Levitt Lab? Attend the free info session on Feb. 10 to meet Steve Levitt and hear more about his bold vision for the program, or enroll now at asuprep.asu.edu/enroll.
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