Distance Learning

U.S. Performance Academy Adopts Digital Curriculum for Student Athletes

• By Michael Hart
• 08/22/16

The United States Performance Academy (USPA), a private school for competitive athletes in middle and high school, is now using instructional materials from a private partner. The school has teamed up with Edgenuity, which provides online curriculum and instructional materials that focus on online courseware for credit recovery and blended learning in grades 6 through 12.

USPA uses a blend of online educational tools and live teachers at a number of facilities around the world, as well as strictly online programs, for student-athletes. Its programs are tailored to the needs of athletes who may travel or train on schedules that don't allow them to participate in normal academic activities.

According to school representatives, its certified teachers and Edgenuity's digital materials provide the ability to customize learning for students with unusual demands on their time.

"We believe that our students shouldn't have to choose between pursuing their athletic dreams and pursuing a great education," said USPA President Pete Smith. "With Edgenuity, our students are able to seamlessly migrate their daily academic work to any training center around the world, making it possible to master concepts and excel both on the playing field and off."

One student and aspiring middle-distance runner, Seu Jacobi, said, "I love how I get to decide what I want to learn, when I want to learn and how I want to learn."

Edgenuity CEO Sari Factor said, "USPA has done a remarkable job giving world-class student-athletes the ability to earn a high school education without missing a step in their training, and we are proud that our teachers and curriculum support these students along the way."