Learning their way with Accelerate ASU: Inside one school’s effort to reimagine college readiness for neurodivergent students

For more than 25 years, Palmetto Bay Academy in Miami, Florida, has operated with a simple truth in mind: students learn differently, and their school should understand that. Nearly 80–90% of PBA’s learners are neurodivergent — most with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and giftedness or twice-exceptionality. 

Traditional dual enrollment doesn’t work for many of PBA’s students. It’s designed for students who thrive on college entrance exams, something that Maggie Eubanks, PBA’s owner and director, says “limits some of our neurodivergent student body who otherwise could do exceptional work.”

Enter Accelerate ASU: A flexible, low-risk, low-stress form of dual enrollment with 23,000+ high school students already enrolled across 550+ schools across the globe. It has Universal Learner Courses, which are asynchronous courses with on-demand, 8- and 16-week options. There are no GPA or test requirements — a model suited to a wide variety of neurotypes.

Palmetto Bay Academy is one of several schools that first connected with ASU through a grant opportunity supported by the Morgridge Family Foundation — an effort aimed at disrupting the traditional dual enrollment model that limited college access for all students.

For the PBA team, the appeal was immediate. The school saw an opportunity to give students early exposure to college without the barriers that typically get in the way.

A chance to learn how college works

More than 45% of PBA’s senior class completed at least one course for college credit before graduation. 

The students, many of whom start out unfamiliar with the college structure, learn to interpret syllabi, plan deadlines, seek help and build study strategies tailored to their neurotype. The courses become both an academic opportunity and a scaffolded learning environment for reaching the next level. And, because grades are only added to a college transcript if a student chooses, there is room to breathe.

“We are teaching our students how to be successful at college before they leave,” Eubanks said. “If they don’t do it right the first time, it is not the end of the world, because we’re using these classes to teach them how to do it right.”

To support learners, PBA pairs coursework with coaching, labs and subject-specialist teachers, with the goal of enrolling every student in at least one Accelerate ASU course before graduation.

“We have been supplementing with some on-campus labs and things like that to help support it and enrich within our system,” Eubanks shared. “A lot of the students are nervous at first but it’s also been really good teaching them to advocate for themselves so that when they get to college, office hours are not scary, and seeking out support is not scary. It’s about scaffolding the success for them.”

Building confidence and ability

One student with unsupported dyslexia had never attempted advanced coursework before starting Accelerate ASU. As he progressed, his confidence grew and he began to improve day by day.

“He’s a bright kid, and this past test is the first test he passed in chemistry,” Eubanks said. “Each time he’s been getting better.”

Another student with ocular albinism uses the program’s built-in accessibility tools — such as screen readers, digital materials and annotation features — to complete the work. For her, the digital portal has been a major help, allowing her to easily use the supportive tools she needs.

Families, too, are noticing the improvements. One mother, who believed her son’s dyslexia would make college too difficult, watched him earn an academic award by year’s end.

“His grandfather came up to us with tears in his eyes saying that they never thought he would do something like this, that he would even be willing to try,” Eubanks said. “These are just real life-changing things that are happening and (Accelerate ASU) is a big part now of how we’re doing that for kids.”

A new path forward for students who learn differently

For PBA, Accelerate ASU is much more than a typical dual enrollment program. It’s a structured way to give students guided practice with real college expectations without the high stakes or penalties that often intimidate students before they begin. Students who once doubted whether higher education was possible are building the skills and confidence to consider it.

“We tell people this is something that works, and it is not prohibitive to those with learning differences,” Eubanks said, “That’s a huge part of what makes a difference for a lot of these students.”

Learn more at accelerate.asu.edu.