Enriching Education: Fiveable

 The 2020 school year is underway, and most schools across the country are opting for some version of remote learning. One of the biggest concerns with these new models is the lack of social interaction and community that comes with a virtual classroom. In fact, 59 percent of parents say their children’s lack of social ties is their top pandemic-related concern - more than contracting the virus itself.

Likewise, students are also feeling like the distance learning solutions are not providing them with what they need, leading them to look to outside resources like homeschooling, tutors and additional coursework to fill the void.

So how can parents ensure their kids continue learning while also maintaining social connections?

I'd love to put Fiveable on your radar as a resource to you and your readers, a social learning learning company serving 1.4M students, who recently expanded their platform to bridge coursework and community, an intersection that traditional distance learning solutions fail to address. 

Fiveable has established itself as a leader in AP test prep with a 92% pass rate for their 1 million+ students. Now, the company is taking it one step further with the launch of full AP courses for all 38 subjects. Fiveable Courses launch September 8 and are available for all students, whether they need an extra layer of support or don’t have access to an AP course at their school. 

I had a chance to learn more in this interview.

Why was Fiveable initially launched? After I left the classroom, my students continued to reach out to me asking for help. The quickest thing I could do was to start live streaming, which is what I did. Eventually, Fiveable grew into a hub where students could not only access live streams but also study guides, trivia, supportive communities -- and now courses. What began with my small group of students grew into a community that this year supported 1.4M students. 

Why does the company focus on AP courses?

I previously taught AP History, so focusing on AP content was a natural direction for us to take. Starting in standardized, measurable testing is also a great market.

If someone is taking an AP course at their school already, is Fiveable a good option? Yes, of course! We provide that extra layer of support which includes office hours led by TAs as well as an active community where students can study and learn together. The Fiveable courses are also a great option for students who may not be able to access a specific AP course through their school, as we have classes for all 38 subjects.

What sets it apart from other online resources for AP studies? Not only have Fiveable students achieved a 92% pass rate on the AP exam, which far exceeds the national average, but what we provide is a social learning community, a place for students to connect and collaborate together, a major factor that's overlooked in other edtech platforms and online resources.