Arkansas students and parents seeking choices for high-quality educational opportunities will have an exciting new option this fall through the ASMSA Online Academy.
The ASMSA Online Academy is a full-time online program offered by the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts (ASMSA). It will provide a robust curriculum focused around Advanced Placement (AP) courses that emphasizes the humanities, critical thinking and STEM topics while meeting state graduation requirements.
Students enrolled in the ASMSA Online Academy will complete a thoughtfully curated sequence of AP courses over two years, generally as high school juniors and seniors although younger students who demonstrate academic readiness may apply. Students who complete the program are positioned to earn the AP Capstone Diploma and be positioned for AP Scholar designation
The annual tuition for the ASMSA Online Academy is $5,000, pending final authorization by the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees in May. Families may use the state’s Educational Freedom Accounts (EFA), which were established through the Arkansas LEARNS Act, to cover tuition, ensuring there are no net costs for enrollment in the program. This approach ensures families have access to top-tier coursework while still preserving additional EFA funds to cover technology, enrichment programs or other approved needs.
Applications for the program are now open, and the priority application deadline is June 1. The program is open to all students in Arkansas, but they must have completed foundational math courses — including Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry — before enrolling in the ASMSA Online Academy. Students will also need access to a reliable computer or laptop with a stable internet connection.
“Though ASMSA has long been a remarkable example of what school choice means for students and families, this fall begins an exciting new chapter for empowering parents to pursue options that best meet their students’ and families’ needs,” said Executive Director Corey Alderdice. “As all Arkansas students now have access to the EFAs, we believe it is essential that ASMSA continues to provide new avenues that fulfill our statewide mission of educating talented and motivated students.”
The ASMSA Online Academy builds upon the strong foundation of the institution’s residential program in Hot Springs, which serves as the early college campus of the University of Arkansas System that specializes in the education of academically and artistically motivated students of all backgrounds throughout the state. While the residential program will remain a cornerstone of the school’s identity, the ASMSA Online Academy will expand access to students across the state who may not have access to advanced coursework in their local schools or be ready to live away from home.
Since 1999, ASMSA has been a driving force behind distance learning for students across the state’s 75 counties. The ASMSA Online Academy will use that experience to offer a blend of asynchronous learning with live sessions that encourage real-time engagement. Students also will benefit from personalized academic coaching, one-on-one college advising and access to mental health resources. Structured mentoring sessions and community-building activities will help foster connections among students and with their instructors.
To learn more or to begin the application process in the ASMSA Online Academy, visit asmsa.org/onlineacademy, email admissions@asmsa.org or call/text 501.622.5235.