Vita Schools propels students from classroom to career with ASU partnership 

In the heart of Arizona, a new paradigm in high school education is taking root, driven by Andrew Lee, founder and CEO of Vita Schools of Innovation. Vita, a micro high school in Phoenix, prioritizes real-world skills and compassion, equipping students with the knowledge needed to thrive.

Recognizing the limitations of a one-size-fits-all approach, Vita prioritizes personalized learning experiences. By offering a curated selection of courses from Accelerate ASU, students can explore their interests and cultivate their talents. This innovative model not only accelerates academic progress but also emphasizes essential life skills such as financial literacy, mental health, resume building and setting SMART goals. Students nurture their entrepreneurial spirit, gain collaboration skills and advance holistically.

Accelerate ASU and Vita Schools build roadmaps to success 

Central to Vita’s ethos is empowerment through planning. Through a structured graduation map created in collaboration with teachers and students, students take ownership of their academic journey and set ambitious yet manageable goals for the future. Vita’s partnership with ASU supplements traditional coursework with college-level classes. This collaborative effort not only enriches students’ academic pursuits but also creates time to gain experience in practical skills aligned with their career aspirations.

Accelerate ASU facilitates students’ access to college-level courses crafted by ASU faculty and tailored to ASU degree programs. “Accelerate ASU is this complimentary curriculum that we can access; we can pick and choose what we want,” Lee says. Students work at their own pace, and chart their own educational journey with support from school educators, offering flexibility that allows some to complete courses in as little as one semester. ASU knows that collaboration between K-12 institutions and universities is essential in creating a smooth transition from high school to higher education and future career prospects. The partnership between Vita Schools of Innovation and Accelerate ASU is a modern model for high school education and prepares students for the complexities of the 21st century.

Encouraging entrepreneurship in high school

Andrew passionately recounts the success stories of Vita’s students, highlighting the transformative impact of the program on their trajectories. From a student who breezed through a math course in just one month, to budding entrepreneurs running their own businesses, Vita is nurturing a generation of proactive and ambitious young minds.

One such student, a 10th grader, saw remarkable success in his entrepreneurial endeavors, generating income and managing a small team while still in high school. Another student seized the opportunity to intern at a real estate company, gaining invaluable hands-on experience in property investment and flipping houses. These stories underscore the essence of Vita’s mission: to empower students to pursue their dreams and translate them into tangible achievements.