While Fall After-school applications for 2025 have closed, we truly appreciate your enthusiasm for our program!
We invite you to discover our other fantastic offerings, including our Spring After-School Program which runs from January 12 – May 14, 2026.
Thank you for your interest, and we hope to welcome you to one of our programs soon!
Virtual After-school Program
September 2 - December 11, 2025
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Registration closes August 29, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Mandatory Laptop Pick up and Orientation:
- September 2nd, 3rd, or 4th: Sign up for time between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m.
- Pick-Up location @ Rio Salado College Main Campus (2323 W 14th St, Tempe, AZ 85281)
Pre-registration required prior to signing up for laptop pick-up and orientation
SPOT 127 is a safe after-school place for high school students where they can learn skills that build their confidence and give them an outlet for their creativity, as well as prepare them for the future workforce.
SPOT 127’s virtual program offers a unique digital media curriculum that enables students throughout the Valley to participate easily from their homes. Laptops are provided for students who do not have access to a computer, and software is made available through Rio Salado College.
Students often share that their SPOT 127 experience has helped them think about the future beyond high school. According to Ashton B., "SPOT is important to me because it expands my possible career paths regarding a creative future with computers."
SPOT 127 develops technical media skills, positive study and work habits, and important life skills. Students become media literate and are introduced to new career and education possibilities with the help of SPOT 127 instruction.
Leadership, teamwork, and communication skills are developed through instruction that reinforces student collaboration on projects. SPOT 127 student, Martin, shared his experience, "This program has also made me think about how the skills I've learned here can help during a job."
101 - General Requirement
This foundational course provides students with a comprehensive introduction to the core disciplines of visual and digital media. Through hands-on projects and guided instruction, students develop essential skills in photogtraphy, videography, audio production, graphic design, and writing. These skills form the backbone of effective storytelling and communication in medern media. By learning how to capture compelling images, produce engaging videos, record and edit audio, desgin visually apealing graphics, and write with clarity and purpose, students gain the confidence and technical ability needed to succeed not only in the program's advanced sections but also in real-world creative environments such as marketing, journalism, entertainment, and digital content creation.
Here is what you will learn:
Module 1: Course Introduction & Photography
Module 2: Foundational Storytelling & Writing
Module 3: Audio Production
Module 4: Video Production
Module 5: Leadership, Enterpeneurship, Graphics, & Motion Graphics
Module 6: Final Project & Showcase
Tuesdays & Thursdays | 4 to 6PM
Online
201 - Audio Pathway
This intermediate course builds on foundational audio skills by guiding students through the process of blending multiple sound elements into cohesive, professional-quality audio productions. Students will learn how to layer dialogue, music, sound effects, and ambient noise to create clean, balanced mixes that enhance storytelling and emotional impact. Emphasis is placed on using industry-standard software and techniques to achieve clarity, depth, and polish in audio projects. The course explores advanced narration and audio storytelling strategies. Students will study pacing, tone, vocal performance, and the use of silence and sound to shape compelling narratives. Through exercises in scriptwriting, voice recording, and editing, students will develop the ability to craft immersive audio experiences!
Here is what you will learn:
Module 1: Foundations of Audio Storytelling
Module 2: Production Tools & Mastering Techniques
Module 3: Advanced Interviewing & Narration Techniques
Module 4: Project Development & Production
Module 5: Final Project & Showcase
Mondays & Wednesdays | 4 to 6PM
In-Person
202 - Visual Pathway
This intermediate course builds on foundational media skills by introducing students to advanced creative and technical concepts in visual storytelling. Students dive deeper into the art and craft of cinematography, editing, and sound design, learning how to use these tools to shape mood, emotion, and narrative. Through hands-on projects, students explore camera movement, composition, lighting techniques, and visual continuity to enhance cinematic impact. Editing lessons focus on pacing, rhythm, and transitions, while sound design covers layering audio elements to create immersive environments and emotional depth. By the end of the course, students will be able to produce visually and sonically compelling media pieces that reflect a higher level of craftsmanship and storytelling sophistication.
Here is what you will learn:
Module 1: Cinematography Techniques and Shot Composition
Module 2: Professional Script Writing
Module 3: Advanced Editing Techniques
Module 4: Advanced Lighting
Module 5: Final Project & Showcase
Mondays & Wednesdays | 4 to 6PM
In-Person