FAQ’s

  • Ascend is a private school serving grades 6-12.

  • Any student who will be in grades 6-12 for the upcoming academic year is welcome to apply for admission to Ascend. We are a small private school with limited facilities and a very specific educational model, so there is an admissions process to identify a prospective student’s academic needs and goals, and, cooperatively with the student and parents, determine if Ascend is the best fit for them. The admissions process includes several steps:

    Learn about and agree to Ascend’s school policies

    Learn about Ascend’s educational model

    Fill out an initial inquiry form

    Schedule a shadow day for your student

    Schedule an in-person interview with Ascend administrators

    After these steps have been completed, administrators will extend invitations to accepted students. Students who are planning to attend must sign a commitment form so that we can finalize plans for the upcoming school year.

  • Our admissions process is designed to make sure that Ascend is a good fit for your student and your family. Click here for details about our admissions process.

  • Ascend is in session on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

  • Even though Ascend is in session just three days a week, all math classes meet four days per week. Wednesday’s math class is conducted via Google Meet at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday is also the day that most Ascend students complete their reading and other homework assignments. Sometimes there are service projects or class (temple) trips or activities scheduled for Wednesdays or Fridays. How students spend their time on these days is determined by the amount of school work they need to complete and is at the discretion of parents and families.

  • $5000 for full time students
    $65 for SIS and Activity Fee
    $75 for Science Lab fee
    Families are also responsible for the purchase of books, and other supplies used in class such as calculators, pencils, composition notebooks and such.

  • While scholarships or other financial aid are not available, Ascend has partnered with My Tech High, which will provide partial reimbursement for school tuition if students complete weekly learning logs.

  • Students must provide their own lunches. Microwaves are available for student use. Ascend is a closed campus, so students must stay on campus for lunch.

  • No, Ascend is not accredited.

  • Ascend does have requirements for graduation, and can provide a non-accredited transcript and diploma. In years when we do have students complete the Ascend graduation requirements, we may elect to hold a graduation ceremony.

  • There are several ways Ascend graduates can qualify for college, even without an accredited diploma. The most popular is to apply as a home educated student. Depending on the college you are applying to, this route may require the ACT or SAT. There is also the GED route, which many families have found to be a powerful tool to demonstrate competency for college coursework. Every college admissions process is a little different, so reach out to the admissions department to learn the process for the particular college your student is interested in.

  • No, students can attend Ascend without participating in My Tech High, and they are not required to transfer to public schools at any time. Any credits earned at Ascend are not accredited and will not transfer to a public high school, but students who complete all Ascend requirements for graduation will receive a diploma from Ascend.

  • Students are often able to take classes or participate in extracurricular activities at their local public school. Students who are interested in these options will need to work closely with their school counselors at their neighborhood schools to determine their individual schedules.

  • For students in 6th-8th grades, the only program available is a full, three-day program. For students in 9th-12th grades, we have additional options available, allowing students to participate in public high school, tech school, or internships. Discuss part-time learning options with school administrators during your application interview.

  • Ascend does not participate in state standardized tests. ACT or SAT tests can be taken by going to the testing website and registering to take the test at an authorized testing center.

  • Application processes for higher education vary by college. To determine what your student will need in order to apply, you must contact the admissions department of each college you are interested in. Ascend provides a non-accredited transcript, a non-accredited diploma, and a 4 point scale GPA to assist you in the college admission process.

  • Electives vary by year according to student interest and the availability of instructors for these courses. This year we are offering Art, Spanish, Euclid (Classical Math), and ACT Prep.

  • Most of our Ascend mentors have been teachers in some capacity. When selecting mentors, we look for expertise in a content area, and a teacher heart–a person whose desire is to inspire students to reach their full potential, and has the ability to guide them along the way. We currently have experienced teachers for all of our core classes. However, our teachers are not required to be licensed by the state.

  • One of our primary goals at Ascend is to prepare students to be self-motivated, lifelong learners. We focus on learning how to read and study, on discussing great works, and working with mentors to set personal goals. Because of our shortened schedule, there are certain skills that will be helpful to Ascend students that we are not able to take the time to teach. One such skill is typing. Typing is not required in order to attend. However, as students advance and their work becomes more challenging, this skill will become increasingly important. It will be up to the parents and students to determine how to learn this skill.