Students learn piano during music class, exploring the basics of melody and rhythm at ASU Preparatory Academy’s Pilgrim Rest campus in Phoenix on Oct. 18, 2024. The course is offered on Family Choice Day on Fridays. (Photo by Sienna Monea/Cronkite News)
PHOENIX – ASU Preparatory Academy is making educational waves with Family Choice Day. This new program aims to give families more flexibility while helping students stay engaged in their learning. The initiative comes as more schools nationwide, including those in the Phoenix area, adopt four-day school weeks.
Starting this fall, ASU Prep switched to a Monday through Thursday in-person schedule for students enrolled at its Phoenix, South Phoenix, Pilgrim Rest and Polytechnic campuses. This change was inspired by families wanting more options for how their children learn, especially with the rise of hybrid learning.
Family Choice Day on Fridays allows families to choose how their kids, pre-K through 12th grade, spend their time – whether that’s in the classroom or learning from home. A study in the journal Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis found that shortened schedules can lead to calmer and safer schools.
Arizona public schools must meet a state requirement of providing at least 180 days of instruction per school year. ASU Prep said it adheres to this standard with an instructional time model approved by its board that allows for one virtual learning day per week.
Marissa Schneckloth, principal at ASU Prep Academy Pilgrim Rest, which serves students pre-K through 8th grade, emphasized the school’s commitment to meeting the needs of families and responding to their feedback.
“ASU Prep is always looking for new ways to support our families and listen to our community, which is why we created Family Choice Fridays. It really gives families a choice,” Schneckloth said.
Students who come to campus can participate in half-day programs that include extra academic help and fun activities. The program offers a variety of clubs and enrichment, including soccer, fashion club and STEAM.
ASU Prep’s Leadership Lab, a Family Choice Day course, teaches students leadership skills through activities and service projects at the Pilgrim Rest campus in Phoenix on Oct. 18, 2024, in Phoenix. (Photo by Sienna Monea/Cronkite News)
At ASU Prep Pilgrim Rest, about 90% of families are taking advantage of Friday Choice programs, Schneckloth said. For families who prefer to have students on campus, the school continues to offer a regular half-day option on Fridays, followed by after-school programs.
For those who prefer to learn from home, students have the option to follow a “Friday Playlist.” This lets them engage in a variety of activities, such as going on family field trips, completing internships or taking digital classes.
Jennifer Munoz, a parent of a kindergartener at ASU Prep Pilgrim Rest, said she is thrilled about the school’s Family Choice day. “He really looks forward to Fridays. Today, when I dropped him off, he was so excited and ready to go. It’s great to see him taking charge and being independent,” Munoz said.
The program allows parents to be involved in their children’s education, offering a break from the usual classroom routine. “As a parent, I feel heard here. I can share my thoughts on what my child is doing in school,” Munoz said.
The initiative’s focus on career readiness, combined with the flexibility of Family Choice Friday, offers students the opportunity to explore their interests early with the aim of giving them a head start on career paths.
This flexibility also prepares students for potential hybrid work environments in the future.
“We see an obligation to not only prepare our students for college, but we also want them to be prepared for life and we know that students who go to college typically have a career in mind, so we want our Prep students to have every advantage in knowing what their passions are,” said Betsy Fowler, ASU Prep Academy head of schools.
K-3 students garden while building academic skills through hands-on learning at ASU Preparatory Academy’s Pilgrim Rest campus in Phoenix on Oct. 18, 2024. (Photo by Sienna Monea/Cronkite News)