ASU brings college courses and career-clarity to students at Florida international school
As a teacher, Jacques Rademan wants his students to think big. Not just about test scores or final grades, but about what they can do with their education long-term.
Rademan oversees the International Baccalaureate* Career-related Programme, or CP, at Creation Village World School in Celebration, Florida. The CP supports 11th and 12th grade students as they explore potential career paths and begin developing professionally-relevant skills.
Since 2024, Creation Village World School has partnered with Arizona State University to bring its program goals into reality. Through Accelerate ASU, one of the nation’s largest university-provided dual enrollment programs, CP students can access college-level courses across a multitude of disciplines while still enrolled in high school — in an affordable and flexible format. CVWS is one of several schools that first connected with ASU through a grant opportunity supported by the Morgridge Family Foundation, an effort aimed at disrupting the traditional dual enrollment model that limited college access for all students.
The partnership has been so successful that this year, Creation Village has decided to integrate Accelerate ASU courses into the schedule for its younger students as well.
“Learning through ASU for the past year has shown me that learning online can be just as engaging as being inside a classroom in person,” says 11th grader Joseph. “[It’s] helped me become more of an independent and more structured student. The reason for this is because ASU is very flexible where I am able to do my assignments whenever I have the time and I can go at whatever pace is most comfortable for me.…I feel it has prepared me very well for my future.”
Support from ASU, from start to finish
A private Christian school, Creation Village is currently growing, with around 150 students in its middle and high school grades. Rademan has seen the impact of Accelerate ASU on his students first-hand.
“Student engagement is increasing, through custom tracks with ASU as our student’s agency in learning towards their interest allows them to go beyond it and push their knowledge and skills,” he said.
ASU learning pathways chosen by his CP students include certificates in Project Management, offered by the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts’ School of Applied Professional Studies; Business, through the W.P. Carey School of Business; and Information Technology, offered by the W.P Carey Department of Information Systems; as well as an Intro to Health course through the College of Health Solutions.
Classes are low-stakes, with students only paying for course credit if they are satisfied with their grade.
To Rademan, one perk of the program has been the ease of onboarding.
“Our students have found it a lot easier than I was expecting,” he says. “The orientation course at the beginning creates a seamless transition and support for the students. Combined with the Accelerate ASU support team our students are set up for success.
Creation Village staff also appreciate the positive impact of hosting information nights to share information about the dual-enrollment model with parents and generate interest in the program among families.
Improved outcomes for learners of all abilities
Once enrolled, students gain access to the rigor of college-level courses — and a better understanding of their future goals.
“Being partnered with [Accelerate ASU] has allowed me to challenge myself academically,” says Logan, an 11th grader at Creation Village. “It allows me to gain real-world skills and a glimpse into what certain majors require.”
Teachers at the school have found dual enrollment so impactful that they have integrated it into the school schedule for all 9th and 10th graders, experience “ASU
Explore” weekly to begin researching career paths in preparation for the CP.
The school has also begun using ASU courses to provide an extra challenge to students above-grade level in math. Rademan says parents were “thrilled” to hear that their children would have the opportunity to expand their learning and gain course credits at the same time.
In total, around 45 students at Creation Village are enrolled in Accelerate ASU learning pathways.
But Rademan emphasizes that the program is open to all students, regardless of background.
“One of my 11th-grade students in the Business track has recently moved to the US and English is his second language.” he says. “ASU Accelerate has helped to build his confidence and provided another venue for learning at his pace which is really important for his success.”
Flexible, personalized learning for 550+ schools
Over 23,000 high school students from more than 550 partner schools have accessed Accelerate ASU’s course offerings through the dual-enrollment program.
“[Accelerate ASU] really provides the core competencies students need to prepare for university, continued education or even going directly into the workforce,” says Derek Cummings, head of school at Creation Village. “For our students and families, ASU creates a platform to understand their opportunities after high school to serve and grow in God’s great world.”
Dr. Audrey Moreno, Senior Director of National Bridge Partnerships, emphasizes the importance of collaboration during the dual enrollment process.
“Our partnership with Creation Village reflects what Accelerate ASU is all about — helping schools design dual enrollment experiences that meet their students where they are, expand access to college credit, and empower every learner to build confidence and see themselves as capable college students,” she says.
To learn more about dual-enrollment opportunities for your students or child, visit accelerate.asu.edu.
*Creation Village World School is an International Baccalaureate Candidate School