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Apprez High School Accelerator

Highly motivated to make a difference?

A Minerva Alliance Program

Apprez High School Accelerator

Looking for a challenging new experience?

Fully Online Active Learning Pedagogy

Apprez High School Accelerator

Confident in your academic ability to excel and make a difference?

Academic Support & Prep



"The Apprez High School Accelerator is an intensive and challenging extracurricular program--ideal for high school students who are highly motivated, uninspired by the status quo, and seeking a competitive academic advantage in preparation for college and their careers. With Minerva’s world-class curricula, instruction based on the science of learning, and revolutionary leading-edge technology, we are excited to prepare students in Japan for the global challenges of tomorrow."

Steve Hamade,
Founder & President, Apprez

Apprez High School Accelerator
- Preparation for a VUCA world
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Apprez High School Accelerator
Apprez High School Accelerator is a world-class online program
for high school scholars in Japan produced by Minerva Project and Apprez.

Apprez High School Accelerator, is a transformative four-course program that teaches essential skills across disciplines. The program blends self-paced coursework with engaging peer-based class time, offering the advantages of both individualized and fully active learning techniques. It has been designed for high school students who are looking for a rigorous, interactive academic experience, to establish transferable skills and knowledge such as how to think critically and creatively, as well as communicate and interact effectively.

Through the courses offered in the Apprez High School Accelerator Certificate program, students develop the cognitive skills needed to succeed in their academic and professional endeavors. Moreover, the program will accelerate students’ standards of academic excellence in a truly global context thereby better preparing them for the challenges of a VUCA world.

The courses are conducted fully online, and students study up to four college-level courses to supplement their regular high school studies. The curricula, pedagogy, and course content are all developed by Minerva Project based on best practices, derived from the science of learning and honed through experience. The core elements of its academic model include a Fully Active Learning pedagogy, curricula designed with Cross-Contextual Scaffolding, and a practice of Systematic Formative Feedback from peers and instructors. These are delivered via an advanced learning environment, called Forum™. Furthermore, all instructors participate in intensive training with Minerva Project before being approved to teach the Minerva curriculum.

3 key features of
Apprez High School Accelerator

When considering online classes, most people envision pre-recorded lectures, pre-programmed activities, and other content-driven educational approaches. Such practices, based on traditional classroom instruction, have been shown, time and again, to be largely ineffective, leading to low course completion rates, and minimal understanding, retention, or recall of the information being taught. Minerva has built a virtual learning environment that surpasses physical classrooms in multiple dimensions.

Mind

The curricula and pedagogy are based on well-established science. Minerva has systematized this cognitive and behavioral research into a set of instructional practices leading to improved understanding and enhanced learning outcomes. The key skills to be developed through these four courses are heightened critical and creative thinking skills combined with advanced communication and collaboration skills.
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Active Learning × Support

Rather than the traditional focus on lectures and information dissemination, Fully Active Learning promotes a deeper grasp of the concepts being taught. Classes are constructed using a range of collaborative activities, including Socratic discussion, live polling, breakout groups, debate, role-playing, and simulations, among others. Instructors guide each session, emphasizing learner participation, group discourse, and project-based applications.
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Forum System

The educational methodology is far more intentional, dynamic, and effective than traditional techniques. Minerva has developed and refined an instructional approach, using decades of research into how people learn best, while utilizing more recent advances in interactive technology. Comprising a host of pedagogical best practices and curricular design principles, the methodology is enabled through a highly-engaging learning environment, called Forum™.
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Minerva Project Videos
(and message to students in Japan)

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"We are delighted to partner with Apprez to bring Minerva's revolutionary college preparatory and bridging courses - Apprez High School Accelerator - to high school and pre-university students throughout Japan. Apprez shares Minerva's vision of education transformation, and together, we are excited to nurture the enduring cognitive skills that will enable students to succeed at university and in their careers."

Kenn Ross,
Managing Director, Asia, Minerva Project

The Apprez High School Accelerator
Experience

Fully Online
Fully Active
Learning
Full Support

Courses

(Pre-University Curriculum)

Apprez High School Accelerator offers four Bedrock courses to supplement standard secondary/high school or gap-year offerings, sharpening students’ communicative, computational, mathematical, and self-learning capabilities. The Bedrock courses, which act as prerequisites for the more advanced courses in the Collegiate Accelerator curriculum, help prepare high-performing students for greater success in college and beyond. All courses are developed by Minerva Project.

Expressive Clarity

This course focuses on improving the clarity and style of verbal expression, across a variety of media. With an increased understanding of word choice, phrasing, sentence structure, and tone, students gain greater proficiency in written and spoken communications.

Strategic Learning & Leadership

This course provides tools for increasing self-awareness, and improving planning, knowledge acquisition, and decision making. Through the study of key scientific findings in learning and executive functioning, students develop practical skills for engaging in continuous cycles of reflection and learning and leadership skills.

Applied Algorithmic Thinking

In this course, students learn to apply fundamental computer science concepts to difficult, real-world problems. From practice implementing basic algorithmic strategies in the Python programming language to the construction of functional interactive applications, students become more adept at powerful computational skills.

Applied Quantitative Thinking

In this course, students study topics in mathematics that are directly applicable to daily life. A key goal of the course is for students to develop intuitions about how to use mathematics to solve concrete problems, as opposed to just memorizing formulas or procedures to pass an exam. Students come away from this course with the knowledge and confidence to tackle real-world problems using mathematical tools and strategies.

Course Schedule

  2022 2023
Course January April July September January April
Expressive Clarity 〇 〇   〇 〇 〇
Strategic Learning & Leadership   〇 〇 〇   〇
Applied Algorithmic Thinking     〇   〇  
Applied Quantitative Thinking       〇   〇

* Please swipe the schedule chart to the right for further information.

・4 courses (1 year) - 1 lesson 90 mins / twice a week, 96~104 lessons total
・1 course (12-13 weeks) - 1 lesson 90 mins / twice a week, 24~26 lessons total
* Please contact Apprez High School Accelerator Admissions if you have any inquiries about course contents / schedules.  >> Contact

Academic Support

For those seeking to improve their academic English skills

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Pathway Courses (optional)

Apprez High School Accelerator offers pathway courses to improve your academic English skills. The prep school course content and curriculum have been created and are overseen by Apprez High School Accelerator instructors.

Preparation and Review

Instructors hold weekly office hours to support you outside of class as well. Each class also has its own online community where you can discuss with your classmates and leave questions for your instructors 24/7.

1 on 1 coaching (optional)

​Apprez High School Accelerator offers additional lessons to improve your presentation, discussion, and critical thinking skills in English.

* Please contact us for further information about course contents and schedules.  
>> Contact

Admissions & Tuition

 Entry Requirement

  • High School Students, Gap Year Students
  • English Proficiency
     • IELTS 6.5 (min. 6.5 in Speaking & Writing)
     • TOEFL iBT 90 (min. 23 in Speaking & Writing)
     • Eiken 1
     • Duolingo 120
  • Academic Transcripts

*Please refer to FAQ for further information about English proficiency requirements.

 Admission

  • Submit Application Form
  • Submit Transcript / English Proficiency
  • Pay Application Fee
  • Interview

 Fee

  • Course Fee ¥132,000 / 4 courses
    (tax included)
    * 1 course from ¥33,000
  • Application Fee ¥22,000 (tax included)
    * One-time application fee for 1~4 courses
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Instructors

Apprez High School Accelerator instructors are all certified by Minerva to teach the Minerva curriculum on Forum™.

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Walker P
Chicago, United States

Walker’s main area of expertise is course development, but in coaching and teaching his specialty areas are English communication skills, English pronunciation, business English, and technical/logical English. His previous work includes creating and teaching courses for both executives and new hires at companies. Walker is now in a doctoral (Ph.D.) course in Physical Chemistry at the University of Tokyo, where he researches new techniques for performing Raman spectroscopy.

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Jason H
London, United Kingdom

In terms of his teaching style, Jason is a very relaxed and personal teacher putting his students at ease and allowing them to express themselves is his top priority. He has a very flexible outlook and customizes all his lessons to fit the requirement of the audience/student. His lessons are interactive and enjoyable with his overarching goal for his students to be able to communicate effectively in conversational, as well as written, English.

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Steve H
Toronto, Canada

Steve was selected to run special study abroad preparation classes regarding TOEFL iBT & IELTS tests for Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education Global 10 (G10) public high schools (2018～2019) . He combines knowledge of business and sports to his background in philosophy and psychology from Western University (London, Canada) to develop a unique teaching style and educational experience. In 2020, he completed High Impact Leadership Program at University of Cambridge and Teaching and Learning for Higher Education at Harvard University. In 2021, he completed studies in social media strategy with MIT Sloan and brand strategy with Section 4.

Admission Schedule

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* Please keep in mind that the schedule is subject to change.

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Sign Up for Newsletter

Please sign up for the latest Apprez High School Accelerator Newsletter!
We will announce important information including upcoming admission dates.

Subscribe

FAQ

About Apprez / Apprez High School Accelerator

Apprez High School Accelerator, a Minerva Alliance Program, is an intensive high school education program that provides a definitive, competitive advantage in preparing for your academic future and career.
Founded in 2003 by Steve Hamade, Apprez is an international education and training provider that employs its expertise to diversify educational opportunities for Japanese learners. Its mission is to combine the best of modern critical thinking with the traditional values of Japanese education. Partnering with key organizations and institutions in Japan and overseas, Apprez provides innovative courses to develop Japanese learners who are fully equipped for success in a truly global culture.
https://www.apprez.com

About Minerva

Minerva Project is a pathbreaking educational innovator, providing top-tier educational programmes through partnerships, including that with the flagship Minerva University. Founded by Ben Nelson in 2011, Minerva’s mission is to nurture critical wisdom for the sake of the world. Building upon the best traditions of liberal arts and sciences education, Minerva is committed to preparing global leaders and innovators for the complexities of the twenty-first century. Its groundbreaking creation of a new university programme is detailed in the book Building the Intentional University: Minerva and the Future of Higher Education (MIT Press).
https://www.minervaproject.com/
Yes, Minerva Project is the organization that created Minerva University.
No, Apprez High School Accelerator is not associated with Minerva University, nor will it grant you any advanced standing in your admissions decision. Having said that, this program will help prepare you for success at any university and in your future career. Although Minerva Project and Minerva University are related, please note that they are two separate entities.

Admissions

No, Apprez High School Accelerator is only offered to High school students and pre-college students taking a gap year. You must submit transcripts for your last 3 years of education including high school and junior high school as appropriate. Junior high school students should begin preparations by taking one of Apprez’s many preparatory or pathway courses. Please contact us for further information.
>> Contact
No, Apprez High School Accelerator is only offered to High school students and pre-college students taking a gap year. . However, we offer many other courses for current university students and hope to have something with Minerva in the near future. Please contact us for further information.
>> Contact
Yes, you may apply as long as your family still holds residency in Japan and you have transcripts within the past 3 years from a school in Japan. However, please be wary of the dates and times and note that all classes are conducted live in Japan standard time. Please refer to the course schedule. Moreover, there are very strict attendance and participation policies that are critical to your success and certification. No exceptions can be made for issues or problems occurring outside of Japan.
>> Contact
Yes, you may apply as long as you have Japanese residency and are a high school student studying in Japan. Naturally, the same entry requirements will apply and admission is competitive.
If you do not yet meet the English requirements, please continue to study and improve your language skills. Naturally, the sooner you start, the more progress you will make. Apprez also offers preparatory pathway courses into this program. For those students who successfully complete Apprez Pre-Accelerator English level 4 or higher, the English language requirement will be waived with the permission of a Minerva trained instructor. Please contact us for further information.
>> Contact
Our admissions process is designed to discover who you are and what you are passionate about, as well as whether you are the type of student who will succeed in this program. In addition to your academic grades and proof of English language proficiency, all students will go through an online interview.
The purpose of the interview is to determine your level of preparation for university studies and your suitability for this challenging program. First, the interview will be conducted in English to ensure that you meet the English language fluency requirements. However, much more important than your English abilities are your past achievements and your future goals.

There are three steps in the interview process. In Part One, you will tell us about yourself, including your academic performance, and examples of your accomplishments. In Part Two of the interview, you will be presented with a series of engaging challenges designed to assess how you think. Then, in Part Three, you will provide evidence of your past academic performance, as well as a set of accomplishments that indicate areas of excellence and interest beyond your grades.
Yes. You can apply for all four courses with one application. It is recommended that you apply early to ensure that you get a place in the courses you desire. Please refer to the academic calendar and schedule. https://apprezaccelerator.jp/#courses
Apprez uses a rolling admissions process and admissions is competitive. Successful completion of all four courses will lead to a certificate issued by Apprez and Minerva.
Yes. It is recommended that you apply early to ensure that you get a place in the course you desire. Apprez uses a rolling admissions process and courses may close well in advance of the application deadline. Admissions for a single course may be highly competitive depending on the timing and number of seats available.
Students are expected to demonstrate English language proficiency and suitability for the program through the admissions interview and/or the submission of an official IELTS, TOEFL, EIKEN, or Duolingo score. It is recommended that students be at a CEFR 1 level. Students who meet the following minimum requirements will be considered.

【English proficiency tests and required scores】
IELTS 6.5 (min. 6.5 in Speaking & Writing)
TOEFL iBT 90 (min. 23 in Speaking & Writing)
Eiken 1
Duolingo 120

Apprez will cover the cost of all students interested in taking the Duolingo test once as part of the admissions process once the application fee has been paid. Please contact us for a Duolingo account ID and password.

Students attending a high school where the language of instruction is entirely in English are not required to submit a separate English language proficiency score provided the students are not enrolled in an ESL or EFL class. These students will be assessed in the Interview by a Minerva-trained instructor.

Preparatory pathway courses into the Apprez HS Accelerator program are also offered. Students who successfully complete two terms of Apprez Academic Skills 4 or one term of Apprez Academic Skills 5 may also have their English language requirement waived at the discretion of a Minerva-trained Apprez instructor and the interview assessment.
Apprez uses a rolling admissions process and will accept applications until 1 month prior to the start date or until a course is full, whichever comes first.

Curriculum

Our distinctive structure enables us to deliver the highest quality education possible to any student who meets our rigorous standards. Classes are taught via live, video-based seminars, so we do not have to build and maintain nonessential infrastructure. Students and faculty can attend class from anywhere in Japan.

The key differences that distinguish Apprez HS Accelerator include:
• Rigorous curriculum based on the science of learning
• Accomplished faculty focused on student instruction
• Small seminars with fewer than 20 students
• Advanced, interactive learning environment
• Mentorship-focused English support services
• Merit-based admissions process
• Accessible and affordable tuition
The Minerva Forum platform uses the latest advances in information technology to provide an engaging class experience that is unmatched. Live, video-based seminars enhance student-to-professor and peer-to-peer interactions by ensuring that everyone is visibly engaged and actively participating.

The Forum also facilitates numerous rapid mode changes, including moving from full group discussion to smaller breakout groups, one-on-one and team debates, collaborative document sharing and editing, as well as dynamic polling and real-time simulations. The platform’s asynchronous tools provide powerful capabilities for students and professors alike, by enabling deeper and more frequent data-rich feedback, schedule and assignment management, and searchable review of prior class footage.
The curriculum is intentionally structured to teach both breadth and depth demanded by the constantly evolving world, emphasizing on four core skills — thinking critically, thinking creatively, communicating effectively, and interacting effectively. By continuously reinforcing key habits of mind and foundational concepts, Apprez HS Accelerator teaches a broad and adaptable set of skills and knowledge, applicable to any field.
Apprez HS Accelerator classes focus on building skills and understanding—not mere information dissemination. Cognitive and behavioral research documents that students learn most effectively when actively engaged with the subject matter — a learning approach that large lectures or other passive forms of teaching do not facilitate. Apprez’s small class size, fewer than 20 students—coupled with the Minerva Forum’s advanced technology, enables instructors to provide expert instruction, direct personal interaction, and frequent feedback, simultaneously ensuring that every student is an active class participant.

Programs / Academics

Yes. All Apprez High School Accelerator courses are taught in English only. Hence, the need to demonstrate English language proficiency.
Yes. All Apprez High School Accelerator courses are taught online. We have the IT requirements and PC checklist and send them to you once you apply.

Future

Participants who successfully complete all four Bedrock courses will receive an official Apprez High School Accelerator Certificate awarded by Apprez and Minerva.
We expect Apprez High School Accelerator graduates to be leaders and innovators pushing boundaries globally in a wide variety of fields, from entrepreneurship to business to social justice to medical research. The Apprez High School Accelerator may simply be the first step in your college education, but it will prepare you to thrive in any academic discipline or professional field because it provides you the skills needed to adapt as the world continues to change.

About Minerva Project

Minerva Project is a pathbreaking educational innovator, providing top-tier educational programmes through partnerships, including that with the flagship Minerva University.
Founded by Ben Nelson in 2011, Minerva’s mission is to nurture critical wisdom for the sake of the world. Building upon the best traditions of liberal arts and sciences education, Minerva is committed to preparing global leaders and innovators for the complexities of the twenty-first century. Its groundbreaking creation of a new university programme is detailed in the book Building the Intentional University: Minerva and the Future of Higher Education (MIT Press).
https://www.minervaproject.com/

About Apprez

Founded in 2003 by Steve Hamade, Apprez is an international education and training provider that employs its expertise to diversify educational opportunities for Japanese learners. Its mission is to combine the best of modern critical thinking with the traditional values of Japanese education. Partnering with key organizations and institutions in Japan and overseas, Apprez provides innovative courses to develop Japanese learners who are fully equipped for success in a truly global culture.
https://www.apprez.com/

Apprez Accelerator