A bold approach to high school learning
ASU Prep Tempe powered by The Levitt Lab (TLL) is a flexible, tuition-free high school that reinvents learning by putting students in control. This innovative program offers a mastery-based education where students engage in Socratic-style discussions, explore big ideas through hands-on projects and learn to lead—at their own pace.
Problems we’re working to solve:
Pioneering change with top thinkers and institutions
Grounded in ASU’s innovative teaching methods, this transformational high school model is a partnership between ASU Prep Academy and The Levitt Lab, created by Steven Levitt. Levitt has spent his career challenging conventional wisdom as a renowned economist, best-selling author of Freakonomics, founder of the Center for RISC at the University of Chicago and a data-driven problem solver. We’ve partnered to broaden our commitment to personalized learning and build upon a shared belief that education should ignite passion to unlock potential.
Inspired by the academic achievements of students at Khan World School at ASU Prep, this in-person high school combines best practices, curriculum and innovative ideas from ASU Prep, The Levitt Lab, RISC and Khan Academy.
How ASU Prep, The Levitt Lab and Khan World School connect
ASU Prep Tempe powered by The Levitt Lab is the result of a partnership between ASU Prep, The Levitt Lab and the Center for RISC. The school builds on the proven foundation of personalized, outcome-driven learning of ASU Prep, while each partner plays a key role in shaping the school’s vision:
- ASU Prep: As part of Arizona State University’s network of innovative schools, ASU Prep provides students with access to university resources, innovative curriculum, college credit opportunities and flexible learning pathways.
- The Levitt Lab: Founded by economist Steven Levitt, this initiative is focused on reimagining education by applying data-driven insights to create a more engaging, mastery-based high school experience.
- The Center for RISC: A research organization at the University of Chicago that helps design new models for learning, emphasizing critical thinking and real-world application.
How does Khan World School fit in?
While TLL is not part of KWS, the two share a similar philosophy. KWS, an online program at ASU Prep, inspired aspects of TLL’s discussion-based learning, mastery model and real-world problem-solving approach. TLL students also use Khan Academy’s self-paced tools as part of their coursework.
Proven Results
Khan World School @ ASU Prep students are assessed at the beginning and end of the school year to measure academic growth. In their first year, these students progressed at:
- 4.6x the average in Math
- 3.4x the average in Reading
- 5.3x the average in Language Arts
While KWS is fully online, The Levitt Lab blends the best of digital learning with the advantages of an in-person hybrid experience—all located on the Tempe campus of the nation’s most innovative university.
What we believe in
Steve Levitt
Steve Levitt is Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Chicago, co-author of Freakonomics and host of the People I (mostly) Admire podcast. In 2003, he won the John Bates Clark Medal, awarded to the most influential American economist under the age of 40, and in 2006 he was one of TIME Magazine’s “100 People who Shape our World” in 2006. His podcast was named “best interview podcast” by Adweek in 2021. His current focus is developing innovative K-12 schools.
See Steve discuss our shared vision for the future of education with Ben Gomes, Chief Technologist, Learning at Google.
Amy McGrath
Amy McGrath is CEO & Managing Director of ASU Prep Academies & ASU Prep Global and Vice President of Education Outreach at Arizona State University. Amy believes that every student can be successful with the right support and access. She and her team are leveraging all ASU has to offer and are intently focused on transforming learning environments to increase academic achievement.
Jeff Severts
Jeffrey Severts is the Co-founder and Executive Director of the Center for RISC at the University of Chicago. He has spent most of his career in business, working as a C-level executive for large consumer brands in the food, consumer technology and retail sectors. His innovative approach to management issues has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The McKinsey Quarterly and Gary Hamel’s, The Future of Management.
Megan Hanley
Megan Hanley is the Executive Director of School Design at ASU Preparatory Academy. She is a recipient of the Individual Excellence in Digital Learning Award from the Digital Learning Collaborative (DLC), which highlights her visionary leadership in developing the innovative ASU Prep Digital+ microschool program. Under her leadership, ASU Prep Digital+ has been reshaping K–12 education since its launch in 2022, setting a new standard for hybrid education and helping students learn what success looks like for them—in school, in their careers and in their lives.
