ASU Preparatory Academy, Tempe Union district announce partnership to open school on Compadre Academy campus

A partnership between the Tempe Union High School District, ASU Preparatory Academy and Arizona State University aims to provide a new, innovative option for moving more students to graduation and college success.

This fall, ASU Prep Compadre High School will provide expanded college-going opportunities at Tempe Union’s Compadre Academy as the two schools begin operating their respective programs collaboratively on the Compadre campus at 500 W. Guadalupe Road in Tempe. The partnership agreement was approved April 5 by a unanimous vote of the Tempe Union High School District Governing Board, ensuring current and future students will have access to the academic courses and resources needed for college admission and success.

ASU Prep is an innovative K-12 charter school where teachers, students and families share the same goal: college graduation. Its mission is to afford students an optimum environment for learning, help them achieve their potential and ensure the appropriate levels of college readiness. ASU Prep students have earned top results within the Cambridge International Curriculum and achieved a 98 percent four-year graduation rate, and the graduating class of 2017 is 100 percent admitted to post-secondary study or military service.

“A college-going culture sets high expectations for all students and provides them with the academic preparation, resources and support needed to meet those expectations,” said Beatriz Rendon, CEO of ASU Prep. “Through this innovative partnership, we will integrate and align the efforts of Tempe Union, ASU Prep and Arizona State University to increase college-access and career opportunities for all students, making Tempe a pioneer in the education space.”

Compadre serves about 400 high school students through a flexible program that meets the needs of a wide array of learners, including those seeking to catch up on credits, get ahead and graduate early, or pursue their academics within a nontraditional high school setting. ASU Prep will enroll approximately 100 additional students in grades 9-12 in its first year, growing enrollment to 400 students over time. Students will benefit from a rigorous college preparatory program that includes ASU courses for college credit, as well as a digital curriculum infused with the acclaimed Cambridge framework, delivered in a personalized, blended learning format.

Through increased achievement, graduation rates and post-secondary attainment, Compadre and ASU Prep aim to become a model for demonstrating all students can achieve at the highest levels, regardless of life circumstances. Compadre and ASU Prep will share professional development and mentoring to bring best practices to every classroom. Staff will have access to ASU faculty and resources to support ongoing research and implementation of next-generation learning practices, which all delivers on ASU’s promise to build a seamless K-20 continuum for learning.

“The partnership between ASU Prep and Compadre is unique and sets the standard for how to effectively transform public education in the state of Arizona. We share in our commitment to provide students with the best tools and opportunities to be successful,” said Kenneth Baca, superintendent of the Tempe Union High School District.

ASU Preparatory Academy is chartered by Arizona State University and currently serves more than 2,200 students at its campuses in Arizona.