Launch Pad (High School)

High School Reimagined for the Future of Work, Leadership, & Life

Launchpad Studio is where everything comes together.

At our Bay Area private school, high school is not just preparation for college, it’s a launch into a purposeful, impactful life. In Launchpad, learners take full control of their education, supported by real-world experiences, expert mentorship, advanced academics, and a community that believes in their unlimited potential.

Whether they're earning college credit, interning in a career field, or starting a business from scratch, Launchpad learners are building a portfolio of real accomplishments before they ever apply to college.

Mastery-Based Academics With No Ceilings

At Launchpad, learners progress through core subjects with the same mastery-based system that defines our entire K–12 approach: learners move forward only when concepts are deeply understood, not just memorized. Daily Socratic discussions sharpen critical thinking, public speaking, and the ability to engage with complex ideas.

Learners work independently and collaboratively to pursue academic excellence with meaning and purpose. Not just for grades or test scores, but because they’re building the skills and habits they’ll need for life beyond school.

And because there’s no grade-level lockstep, ambitious learners can accelerate in areas where they thrive—opening the door to deeper inquiry and more advanced study.

Access to 200+ College Courses Through ASU

Launchpad learners have access to over 200 Arizona State University virtual courses, allowing them to explore their interests, earn college credit, and experience real college-level work—all while still in high school.

Whether they’re diving into psychology, engineering, economics, or creative writing, they gain the confidence and experience to handle the academic demands of higher education, all with support from guides and mentors.

This isn't just preparation for college, this is college.

Language Learning for the Real World

Launchpad learners also receive 1:1 foreign language tutoring, allowing them to gain fluency through personalized instruction that adapts to their pace and goals. Whether preparing for international travel, enhancing their college applications, or exploring global business, language learning becomes a meaningful and achievable goal.

Real-World Readiness Through Internships and Apprenticeships

One of the defining experiences of Launchpad is our commitment to real-world learning.

Each learner spends a significant portion of their last two years in an internship, job, or apprenticeship of their choosing. Through our network of Parent Professionals and community partners, we help learners open doors early, connecting them with mentors, businesses, and fields they’re genuinely curious about.

From working in law firms, tech startups, veterinary clinics, and construction firms, to shadowing chefs, designers, or nonprofit leaders, learners gain firsthand experience in industries that interest them. Helping them explore what excites them, and what doesn’t, long before they step onto a college campus.

These experiences build professionalism, adaptability, and real-world confidence that no textbook can teach.

Entrepreneurial Thinking in Every Quest

Like in Middle School, Launchpad learners continue to engage in immersive, interdisciplinary Quests—only now, the stakes and complexity are higher.

Signature experiences like the Children’s Business Fair push learners to think like real entrepreneurs. They develop a business from idea to launch, pitch it to peers, manage budgets, source materials, set pricing strategies, and sell to the public at a high-traffic event. It’s hands-on, high-stakes, and deeply empowering.

They also take on advanced financial simulations, like our "Game of Life" Quest, where they navigate a mock salary, make budgeting decisions, deal with unexpected expenses, and choose how to manage or invest their money. Should they save up for a new appliance, buy stock, or take a calculated risk?

Through these projects, learners not only build entrepreneurial skills, they develop financial literacy, strategic thinking, and real-world confidence that prepares them for life beyond high school.

Elite College Guidance From a National Expert

Launchpad families also benefit from one of the most comprehensive and expert-led college planning programs in the country.

Our college counselor, Vivien Wu, is a Harvard and Wharton graduate with over 15 years of experience. She has served on Harvard’s admissions review board and is recognized nationally as a top-tier strategist in the college admissions space. From freshman year onward, Vivien provides personalized, 1:1 guidance through every phase of the journey:

Strategic 4-year high school planning

Summer college boot camps

College essay workshops

SAT/ACT advising

Application support and interview prep

Her approach is not just about acceptance, it’s about helping each learner uncover their authentic story, pursue the right-fit schools, and stand out in a competitive admissions landscape.

Preparing for Life, Not Just College

Launchpad is where learners truly step into themselves as young adults. Through rigorous academics, entrepreneurial ventures, real-world experience, and elite college support, they develop the mindset, skillset, and character to succeed—on any path they choose.

By graduation, Launchpad learners don’t just have a diploma. They have a resume. A transcript of college credits. A portfolio of real-world projects. Confidence built from experiences. And a sense of purpose they’ve worked hard to uncover.

Ready to Launch?