Quick Links

Virtual College Readiness Counseling for Students Who Learn Differently

Few students graduate from high school with the level of independence and self-sufficiency needed to navigate the new environments, academic demands, and social changes of college. Just as math, reading, and writing are critical skills for college success, nonacademic skills — such as social integration, executive function, and emotional regulation — are equally key to student performance.

Navigator PREP, the nation’s first personalized virtual program for college readiness counseling, engages both students and their parents in proactive preparation for these new challenges. Together, they develop critical self-knowledge, insights, and practical skills needed to successfully transition to a college environment.

Attend an Info Session

Learn more and ask questions at a live info session with the program director.

Apply Online

Limited space is available in program tracks for juniors, seniors, and current college students.

Request More Information

Contact us to speak with an admissions counselor or receive a physical brochure.

Program Options

For Seniors

9-Month Program: November 13, 2023 – August 19, 2024 ($4,000)
6-Month Program: February 12, 2024 – August 19, 2024 ($3,000)
3-Month Program: May 13, 2024 – August 19, 2024 ($2,000)
Navigator PREP, designed for current high school seniors and gap year students planning to attend any college, works with each student individually to identify where they are in terms of college readiness. Your personal transition counselor creates a unique strategy based on your goals and opportunities — this may include executive function, social integration, emotional regulation, or other skills. This program recognizes the important role of parents in this process and engages them with specific resources to build their student’s independence and college readiness. Together, students and parents learn how to connect to their college of choice and its students — and how to maximize the resources and support of faculty and staff.

For Juniors

6-Month Program: February 12, 2024 – August 19, 2024 ($2,000)
3-Month Program: May 13, 2024 – August 19, 2024 ($1,500)

Navigator PREP Jr. works with current high school juniors (or seniors taking a gap year) to proactively prepare for the college application process and the transition to college. Through personalized coaching and hands-on activities, students build a short list of colleges, learn to evaluate college resources, and prepare to navigate their admissions applications. By the end of the program, each student is prepared to begin applying to colleges that are well-suited to their academic and social needs. Included in Navigator PREP Jr., Beacon’s Center for College Readiness provides an assessment of skills impacting college readiness and a summative report with specific recommendations and key considerations in evaluating colleges.

For Students Enrolled at Another College (College Coaching)

Fall Semester
Spring Semester 

  • Weekly & Travel Program ($3,000)
  • Weekly Program ($2,000)
  • Bi-weekly Program ($1,500)

Our unique College Coaching program partners college students and their families with an expert in transition planning to help students master the essential skills needed to thrive in their chosen college environment.

This one-to-one virtual program is open to new, continuing, or transitioning students who are pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree in any year or program of study at any college. It is designed to help students manage the social environment, academic rigor, and independence of college life. For first-semester students, College Coaching provides the stability and support of an expert guide to their personal college transition, helping to solve problems and build the confidence necessary to achieve their post-secondary goals.

For Incoming Beacon College Students

3-Month Program: May 13, 2024 – August 19, 2024 ($2,000)

A special 3-month Navigator PREP track is available for students enrolling at Beacon College (students enrolled in Navigator PREP who have also committed to Beacon are automatically enrolled in this track). This program includes newsletters, webinars, and coaching sessions that introduce students to specific faculty, staff, and resources available to them at Beacon. This allows you to spend the summer before you enter Beacon getting to know other students, meeting your residential and academic support staff, and preparing for life at Beacon. Plus, you’ll move in one day early for a special welcome dinner for Navigator PREP students!

How It Works

Navigator PREP uses a virtual model and evidence-based methodologies to provide individualized support in such areas as executive function, social learning, emotional regulation skills, and family systems. Each program includes concurrent coaching and content designed to support parents and families in preparation for independence building and the separation process.

As students and parents develop a “toolbox” of skill-based strategies, their transition counselor works to frontload essential information about campus life, academics, and support services to ensure each family has a proactive action plan that enhances post-secondary success.

Student Counseling

Students engage in one-to-one meetings and interactive group seminars with their personal transition counselor.

Parent & Family Coaching

Parents participate in one-to-one meetings with their family’s transition counselor.

Social Opportunities

Virtual hang-outs provide opportunities to meet other college-bound students.

Webinars

Separate student and parent group webinars feature educational experts on meaningful topics.

Newsletters

A monthly newsletter covers a wide range of interest areas and college preparation tips.

Notes & Assessments

Each student and family receive personalized feedback and recommendations based on goals and opportunities for growth.

Female student wearing blue smiling while doing school work

The shift to college academics comes with extreme reliance on executive functioning skills — requiring students to plan their time, complete assignments, work collaboratively, understand expectations, and seek help when needed. Navigator PREP helps students identify these challenges and develop tools and strategies for their college environment.

Three girls chatting in a pink dorm room

Did you know roughly 80% of students with a learning disability do not receive accommodations at their college? Navigator PREP provides personalized coaching on self-awareness and self-advocacy to help students prepare to access their accommodations in college. Once a student has chosen a college, their transition counselor can provide individualized guidance on how to navigate campus life, mental health resources, support services, and academic affairs in their future college environment.

Mother and son talking to eachother

Designed to prepare students and families for the shift in the frequency and intensity of their interactions, Navigator PREP helps ease anxiety between students and families during times of college transition or struggle. Families receive regular updates on student progress toward academic goals or areas of concern as well as guidance on supporting their student to independent college success.

Father and son caring books and a basketball while looking at eachother

Navigator PREP recognizes the important role of the family and works to engage them in this process. This unique inclusion of parents addresses the separation process and the normative experiences that families go through during the adjustment to college. Students and families work collaboratively with their transition counselor to identify the student’s level of independent functioning in key skills needed to find post-secondary success.

Female student wearing plaid smiling while doing school work

Research shows that earlier conversations about the expectations of college life can reduce anxiety and improve persistence in freshman year. By building awareness of possible stressors in college, students and families can begin to develop the necessary skills and strategies to overcome these challenges when they arise. They can also start incorporating study habits, time management skills, communication, and self-advocacy skills needed to be successful when they arrive on campus.

Male student with glasses smiling while sitting with other student wearing a blue baseball cap

Depending on a student’s unique needs, each Navigator PREP track helps develop skills in executive functioning areas of time management, planning, and prioritizing assignments, as well as social integration and emotional regulation. Students are guided in the beginning to familiarize them with key college independent living expectations related to hygiene and cleaning routines, financial management, and maintaining their own calendar.

Academic Preparedness

The shift to college academics comes with extreme reliance on executive functioning skills — requiring students to plan their time, complete assignments, work collaboratively, understand expectations, and seek help when needed. Navigator PREP helps students identify these challenges and develop tools and strategies for their college environment.

Realities of College

Did you know roughly 80% of students with a learning disability do not receive accommodations at their college? Navigator PREP provides personalized coaching on self-awareness and self-advocacy to help students prepare to access their accommodations in college. Once a student has chosen a college, their transition counselor can provide individualized guidance on how to navigate campus life, mental health resources, support services, and academic affairs in their future college environment.

Family Communication

Designed to prepare students and families for the shift in the frequency and intensity of their interactions, Navigator PREP helps ease anxiety between students and families during times of college transition or struggle. Families receive regular updates on student progress toward academic goals or areas of concern as well as guidance on supporting their student to independent college success.

Family Centered

Navigator PREP recognizes the important role of the family and works to engage them in this process. This unique inclusion of parents addresses the separation process and the normative experiences that families go through during the adjustment to college. Students and families work collaboratively with their transition counselor to identify the student’s level of independent functioning in key skills needed to find post-secondary success.

Proactive Planning

Research shows that earlier conversations about the expectations of college life can reduce anxiety and improve persistence in freshman year. By building awareness of possible stressors in college, students and families can begin to develop the necessary skills and strategies to overcome these challenges when they arise. They can also start incorporating study habits, time management skills, communication, and self-advocacy skills needed to be successful when they arrive on campus.

College Skill-Building

Depending on a student’s unique needs, each Navigator PREP track helps develop skills in executive functioning areas of time management, planning, and prioritizing assignments, as well as social integration and emotional regulation. Students are guided in the beginning to familiarize them with key college independent living expectations related to hygiene and cleaning routines, financial management, and maintaining their own calendar.

Apply Now

Students can apply throughout the year for ongoing start dates for juniors, seniors, gap year students, and current college students. Apply using our online application portal — select your graduation year, the Navigator PREP program, and your track of choice.

Apply Online

Testimonials

Navigator PREP helped me with time management and how to balance my time with my work. The program really helped me get out of my comfort zone and find friends at Beacon College.

Tess G, Navigator PREP student

Navigator Prep is an incredible program! It provided our son with college preparation support focused on developing organizational, academic, time management, and peer interaction skills. He is thriving!

Jolie L., Navigator PREP parent

Navigator PREP helped me know what classes would look like in college. It also helped me meet new people, make new friends, and understand resources around campus.

Luke D., Navigator PREP student

Our daughter benefited from comprehensive, personalized support; we avoided the struggles of freshman year, monopolizing our familial relationships. We HIGHLY recommend Beacon’s programs and guidance.

Geene K., Navigator PREP parent

More Information

Download the Brochure

For more information or to share this program with your family or students, you can access, print, or download a digital flipbook version of our current brochure

Read Now

Free Transition Consultation

Not sure which program or track is right for you? Meet one-on-one with a member of our college readiness team to discuss your personal college goals or concerns.

Schedule Now

Center for College Readiness

Do you have a question? Get in touch with the Center for College Readiness at navigatorprep@beaconcollege.edu, or call 855-220-5376 (toll-free).