Summit High students prove college readiness through Accelerate ASU

At Summit High School in Phoenix, Arizona, a growing number of students are earning college credit before they graduate—thanks to a partnership with Arizona State University’s Accelerate ASU program. The collaboration brings flexible, online college courses—taught by ASU faculty—into the high school day, giving students a clear, achievable pathway to higher education.

Accelerate ASU removes traditional barriers to dual enrollment. Students don’t need to submit transcripts or meet GPA requirements to begin. They can start anytime, learn at their own pace, and only transcript the course if they earn a grade they’re proud of. It’s a low-risk, high-reward model that’s especially powerful for first-generation college students or those who may not see themselves in a traditional academic pathway.

For schools, the program offers a turnkey solution. Courses are taught by ASU faculty, so there’s no need for in-district credentialing or changes to existing master schedules. Summit High’s success reflects a larger shift in how college preparation is being reimagined—less about exclusivity, more about access and agency. Programs like Accelerate ASU are designed to meet learners where they are and to prepare them for where they want to go.

Learn more about how Accelerate ASU is helping schools like Summit High open the door to college—while students are still in high school.