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Aspire is our high school sex education curriculum and is taught in five sessions. To request a speaker to come to your school, click here.

Aspire: High School Curriculum

Session 1: "Safe Sex vs. Save Sex"

By exposing the lie behind "If it feels good, do it!" students gain the critical thinking skills needed to choose between "safe sex" and saving sex for marriage.

The "Sex Is Not a Game" and "The Human Time Line" activities reveal the many rewards of rejecting sexual advances. Abstaining from sex until marriage is the paramount measure for emotional and physical protection. Also addressed is the effect of alcohol and drug use on sexual behavior.

Session 2: "Myth-Information"

"The Gift" and "The Wedding Skit" activities illustrate that sex is truly a gift to be unwrapped in the context of a lifelong commitment. Emphasis: A faithful, monogamous relationship is the safest, most pleasurable grounds for sexual activity. Youth with convictions and increased standards of self-worth view sex as important to save for the right time and the right person. Additionally, the signs of addictive relationships are explained.

Session 3: "Passion without Principles"

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the consequences for Risk Takers are candidly discussed.

The "How Far Is Too Far?" discussion has with it the goal of encouraging risk avoidance and refusal skills. Students learn to establish personal boundaries which may include a commitment to "Secondary Virginity."

Session 4: "Infatuation vs. True Love"

Students analyze the difference between "love" and "lust" by completing a personal quiz about themselves. By critically reviewing messages received through various forms of media (including the damaging impact of pornography), they can "learn to discern" those things which rob and destroy personal integrity.

Session 5: "The P.L.A.N. for ATM"

The P.L.A.N. is critical for Abstinence-Until-Marriage:
P = Plan goals and dreams (6 months, 2, 5, and 10 yrs)
L = Limits: Know them
A = ATM: Abstinence-Till-Marriage
N = New attitude (commitment cards are signed)

Note: Commitment card pledge statistics show that those who pledge are 50 percent less likely to give birth out of wedlock and 2/3 less likely to experience a teen pregnancy than those who do not (Robert Rector and Kirk Johnson, "National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Healthy" [Heritage Foundation, 2004]).

Teacher Comments

We have had Aspire presented to some of our freshmen here at Camelback for the past two years, and each year I have been impressed with the results. The students enjoy learning from this interactive and engaging program! While the curriculum has very important information for teens, I know our students would not learn if they did not feel comfortable with the presenter. Both years, our presenters have done a great job establishing a rapport with the class. Based on this relationship, our students are willing to learn! Student comments overwhelmingly confirm that they are learning important information, gaining a new perspective on their sexual health, and having fun. I highly recommend the Aspire program for every high school!
—Linda Wedin, Teacher, Camelback High School

I had the privilege of working with Dana Daily who represents Aspire this school year. The curriculum was appropriate and relevant for high school students. The scenarios that were shared were very real and my students were engaged. A week has passed since the workshop, and my students continue to talk about what they learned.
—Simir Pierce, Teacher, Camelback High School

Aspire has been on our campus twice this year. We are so impressed with the presentation and the results we see in our students. Each presenter brings their own life experiences and helps the students relate the facts to their own lives. They aid in giving the students confidence and conviction that they use in everyday life. The youth of today all need the opportunity to be educated by Aspire!
—Holly Stuetze, Teacher, Raymond S. Kellis High School

Aspire encourages student learning from action. Their curriculum drives student participation in role-play situations that simulate those they are likely to confront outside the classroom. Students leave the week better prepared for real life encounters after practice and rehearsal with difficult situations. This curriculum teaches students what they need to know and do to abstain from sexual activity. Aspire is a program that encourages commitment to and passion for their dreams.
—Lila Bradshaw, Health Teacher, Central High School

Thank you for the eye-opening experience. Aspire curriculum presentations have substance, factual information, and carry a strong message of abstinence; it is a curriculum that is greatly needed for our youth today. The curriculum focuses on establishing healthy relationships, making better choices, and realizing the possible consequences to actions, topics that may not be discussed or modeled at home. I have witnessed students make a turn-around when it comes to making better choices regarding risky behavior because of the program. The program is designed to make students feel comfortable enough to participate and give feedback on views and it did. I felt the participation empowered our students and gave them a sound choice, that is, abstinence. One knows when the program has worked when one hears comments like: "I am going to hold off till I get married," "I'm going to stop messing around and wait," "I didn't know STD's could happen to you if you have sex, I only thought that you could have a baby." I have heard and seen the difference in some students at Tempe High. Paula, thank you for offering the program and I look forward to reaching future students.
—Lillian Gomez, Health Teacher/Counselor, Tempe High School