Learning is a lifelong process. From the moment we are born, we’re constantly absorbing knowledge, gaining experiences and developing new skills. Yet, traditional education systems have focused on formal settings—classrooms, textbooks and tests. What if, instead of viewing learning as confined to these rigid boundaries, we began to recognize that learning happens everywhere, all the time?
Across rural communities, educators are asking a bold question: what if learning didn’t have to be confined to the four walls of a classroom?
For rural students, this isn’t just a philosophical shift—it’s a practical necessity. Long distances, limited access to internships and fewer extracurricular options can create barriers to hands-on learning opportunities. But by embracing models that honor learning everywhere, rural school districts are unlocking new ways to keep students engaged and on track for long-term student success.
Competency-based learning opens new doors
In North Dakota, Superintendent Dr. Cory Steiner and the team at Northern Cass School District (NCSD) are proving that competency-based learning isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a transformational model. By shifting the focus from seat time to mastery, Northern Cass allows students to demonstrate learning wherever it happens—whether through community engagement, volunteer work, after-school jobs or self-driven projects.
“We decided to tear down the system and rebuild,” Steiner said. Because competency-based models advance learners on mastery versus grades or even grade levels, proficiency models are critical to validate learning, but building them is not for the faint of heart. It’s been the hardest work in our careers but also the most fulfilling.”
Instead of asking, “What’s my grade?” students ask, “What am I learning?” And when they return from a summer abroad or a part-time job, they’re challenged to reflect:
- What skills did you build?
- What standards did you meet?
- How does this learning connect to your future?
The result is an empowered student body that sees education not just as something they receive but as something they actively shape. That mindset is especially powerful in rural education, where stakeholders must often work collaboratively to create access and equity.
Turning real-world learning into real credit
Recognizing learning is only half the battle. Schools also need ways to validate and issue credit for experiences that happen beyond traditional instruction. Northern Cass has begun partnering with the Mastery Transcript Consortium to build digital learning records—essentially digital portfolios that track student growth and competencies over time.
A digital portfolio or transcript offers a compelling alternative to traditional transcripts. Instead of GPAs and letter grades, it showcases real-world skills, durable competencies and personal growth—something both higher education institutions and the labor market increasingly value.
“We have tried to design models that give students room to explore and try new things early so they can refine their choices before they get to college,” says Amy McGrath, Managing Director of ASU PrepAcademy. “Too often kids graduate with no idea about what they want to do simply because they lack exposure to various types of work. They need that to figure out what fits their interests, aptitudes, and even a sense of purpose.”
Why do competencies and digital transcripts matter? Employers are looking for students who are truly prepared for the workforce. Giving students early work-based experiences, along with a process to articulate and validate their learning in the process, helps them gain critical early college and career experiences and insights.
Creating career pathways for students means fewer financial risks and more purposeful planning for postsecondary and career outcomes.
Embedding college into the high school experience
Making learning count—wherever it happens—also means giving students early access to college credit and industry credentials. Rural schools like NCSD are partnering with community colleges and universities (including ASU) to offer dual-credit courses that align with student interests and evolving workforce needs.
These programs are often:
- Self-paced and interactive, offering flexible engagement
- Stackable and credential-based, leading to real-world opportunities
- Embedded into the school year, so students earn college credits while completing high school
This model helps students build competency, reduce financial barriers and gain traction in high-wage careers without leaving their local communities.
Let’s create a successful partnership
Navigating the evolving landscape of rural education requires creative solutions. ASU Prep Global is here to help individual schools, school districts and rural leaders unlock new pathways for student success. We provide a comprehensive range of services, from K–12 digital course licensing and robust learning management systems to tailored teacher training and ongoing tech support—ensuring your educational goals and unique challenges are met with precision.
Teachers will always be critical to a child’s learning success, so we empower them with training to help students thrive in today’s dynamic, flexible and tech-supported classrooms. Through practical sessions on integrating emerging technologies and maintaining academic integrity, we equip teachers to lead and inspire students as agents in their own learning journeys.
In partnership with K–12 schools, ASU Prep Global is pioneering educational models that give students early access to college-level coursework and state-of-the-art digital learning experiences. Beyond being a curriculum provider, we are a committed school design partner, working closely with leaders to deliver high-quality, impactful learning models that open doors for all learners.
Our passion is rooted in partnerships with educational leaders to create unbound learning environments. We leverage Arizona State University’s cutting-edge research, together with best practices derived from both research and from our own network of schools to drive success in rural school systems and underserved communities.
Ready to build a thriving rural school system?
Want to explore more practical strategies, real-world case studies and proven frameworks to help rural schools? Read our full white paper: “Redesigning Rural: Building New Learning Models Through Edu-Preneurial Strategies.”
You may also be interested in reading:
Understanding Rural Students and Communities to Build Stronger Schools
Competing for Students: How Rural Schools Can Innovate and Stay Relevant
How Rural Schools Can Build Strong Community and Industry Partnerships
Designing Rural Schools That Thrive by Thinking Differently