How ASU Prep Phoenix is redefining college access with Serina Trevino leading the charge
At ASU Preparatory Academy Phoenix, the path to higher education is not just a dream. It is a paved road toward college readiness, college admissions success and meaningful career paths. This year, the campus is celebrating a monumental achievement: being named ACT’s 2025 American College Application Campaign (ACAC) School of Excellence.
Out of thousands of schools nationwide, only 26 earned this distinction, and ASU Prep Phoenix stands alone as the only recipient in Arizona.
At the heart of this success is school counselor Serina Trevino, a driving force behind the school’s college-going culture who has spent the last four years helping high school students reimagine what is possible for their futures. We sat down with Trevino to discuss the grit of her students, the power of the Sun Devil network and why 23 seniors are about to make history by graduating high school with their Associate of Arts (AA) degrees from Arizona State University.
A culture shift in Central Phoenix
For Trevino, the School of Excellence award is more than a trophy. It reflects a community-wide commitment to college preparation and higher education access. As a first-generation college graduate, she understands how overwhelming the admissions process, college applications and financial aid planning can feel for families.
It reflects the trust my community has placed in me to help guide students toward a positive future. To me, this award represents not only the daily grit and determination of our students and staff, but also the culture shift we’ve intentionally built over the past four years.”
Starting in ninth grade, Trevino works closely with students on GPA awareness, college readiness and long-term academic planning. From sophomore year through senior year, students receive personalized guidance that helps them understand how coursework, honors, AP classes and extracurricular activities can shape future opportunities.
“This didn’t happen overnight,” Trevino said. “It took years of reminding students how important their academics are. College attainment opens doors, especially for first-generation students who may need additional support navigating college admissions, FAFSA requirements and scholarship opportunities.”
Through hands-on support, mentorship and consistent communication with families, ASU Prep Phoenix has built a college-prep culture where students feel empowered to pursue their goals with confidence.
ASU Prep Phoenix named ACT School of Excellence
ASU Prep Phoenix stands among the nation’s best for college access as the only school in Arizona and one of just 26 schools across the country to earn recognition from ACT’s American College Application Campaign (ACAC).
This honor reflects ASU Prep’s networkwide commitment to helping students prepare for college through personalized support, college credit opportunities and a culture that ensures higher education is within reach for every student.
Students at ASU Prep benefit from:
- College-level coursework and college classes while still in high school
- Opportunities to tuition-free earn college credit that saves time and money for college
- Dedicated school counselor support for college search and college applications
- Advanced placement and honors courses that strengthen college readiness
- In-person and online learning opportunities connected to Arizona State University
- Academic programs focused on life skills like critical thinking, time management and career exploration
Once students enter high school, they can take up to four college-level courses each year with tuition paid by ASU Prep. Students receive personalized support that helps accelerate their path toward graduation requirements, enrollment and future success in college and careers.
At ASU Prep, the future stops feeling far away. Students gain real college experience, build confidence and create a clear path toward higher education long before graduation day.
An early advantage
The Downtown Phoenix campus is currently witnessing a record-breaking milestone. This May, nearly two dozen seniors are on track to earn their AA degrees alongside their high school diplomas. By leveraging Accelerate ASU’s Universal Learner courses and the proximity of the Downtown Phoenix ASU campus, students are reshaping their academic and career paths.
The finish line, because these students are graduating with 60 credits from Arizona State University, allows them to earn their bachelor’s degree ahead of time.”
Students who complete college courses in high school can potentially finish a bachelor’s degree in two years instead of four. Some may even pursue accelerated master’s degree programs, creating significant savings in both time and tuition costs.
ASU Prep also covers the cost of ASU college courses for enrolled high school students, helping families reduce future financial burdens while giving students meaningful exposure to college-level expectations.
With guidance from mentors and school counselors like Trevino, students are building a strong foundation for long-term success in higher education and beyond.
Belonging in the classroom
One of the most unique aspects of the ASU Prep Phoenix experience is that students can physically attend college classes on the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus.
For many students in their junior or senior year, this is a transformative moment in their college preparation journey.
By attending in-person classes alongside college students, ASU Prep students gain exposure to college-level coursework, professors and academic expectations early. This experience strengthens confidence, improves college readiness and helps students develop critical thinking and time management skills that serve them well in future college courses and careers.
When students succeed in a real college class before they even turn 18, it sparks a sense of belonging. They realize they can thrive in a university environment.”
Breaking financial barriers
The cost of college can feel overwhelming for many families. Through its college prep school model, ASU Prep Phoenix provides students with an affordable pathway to higher education while helping families better understand financial aid opportunities and scholarship potential.
“The free ASU classes help me reassure families that college is truly within reach,” Trevino said. “Students build confidence by succeeding in college-level coursework while also saving money.”
Students can also explore potential majors and career opportunities before paying traditional university tuition, helping them make more informed decisions about their future.
Trevino consistently reminds students that GPA matters throughout high school, not only for college admissions but also for merit-based scholarships and affordability.
100% applied. 100% admitted.
The numbers for the Class of 2026 are remarkable: 100% of seniors applied to college, and 100% received college admissions offers.
This success stems from ASU Prep’s emphasis on early outreach and long-term relationship building. Starting in ninth grade, students engage in conversations about higher education, academic programs, college applications and future goals.
By maintaining ongoing communication with families and offering individualized support, ASU Prep Phoenix continues to create a strong culture of college readiness and enrollment success.
As the school looks ahead to the 2026–2027 school year, the momentum continues to grow. With more than $4.6 million in grants and scholarships already earned by the current class, ASU Prep Phoenix is helping students build brighter futures through education, opportunity and community support.
Building trust with students and families is essential. They need to feel confident that I’m providing honest guidance and that I’ll be there to support them throughout the process.”
Explore how ASU Prep Phoenix is helping students get set for success in college
At ASU Preparatory Academy, students from preschool to grade 12 benefit from personalized learning, college-prep opportunities, hands-on experiences and a supportive community that meets them where they are. ASU Prep empowers students to confidently prepare for higher education and future careers, and it’s backed by national awards, including being named an ACT School of Excellence.
Explore how ASU Prep helps students prepare for college, earn college credit in high school, save money on tuition and launch into success in higher education and in life. Register for a virtual information session, attend a campus tour or schedule a conversation with an advisor to learn how your student can start building toward the future they want today.
