Why Next Step
Families choose Next Step because of our in-depth and comprehensive approach to preparing teens for college.
A Unique and Immersive Experience
What Makes Us Different
We offer sessions focused on building skills, engaging in problem-solving activities, and exploring a college campus. Our team has a vast amount of clinical and special education experience which sets them apart from other college prep programs. Our college excursions are truly unique with the level of immersion and freedom our participants have.
In-depth & Comprehensive
We approach education and skill-building efforts with evidence-based methods, which are proven to work. This allows us to provide comprehensive coaching and instruction with a measurable difference.
Experienced Team
Our team not only has a vast clinical background, but each member also works for The Baker Center’s special education school, Manville. That means they can meet participants where they’re at and adapt their coaching style to meet their individual needs.
The True College Experience
Our college excursions are some of the most in-depth you’ll find from a college prep program. From Day Sessions where participants explore a campus, to week-long Summer Sessions where participants get to sleep, eat, and live in a real dorm, we ensure teens know exactly what to expect from the college experience.
Teaching Lasting Skills
The social self-advocacy, and executive functioning skills we teach are meant to last teens throughout their entire college experience and beyond. We want participants to walk away feeling confident in their ability to navigate every aspect of college.
FAQs
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Collegebound students, ages 16-20, who present with social communication, executive functioning, and/or anxiety challenges and would benefit from learning what to expect, what supports are available, how to access supports, and how to navigate academic and social situations in the transition to college.
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Our core staff is made up of a psychologist, a licensed mental health counselor, and a speech-language pathologist. Additional staff include those who work in education and/ or clinical fields. We also have an awake overnight staff member (in addition to asleep overnight staff).
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Both. Some young adults participate in the summer to get acclimated to living away from home on a college campus, use it as a means of setting goals (e.g. what type of housing to request, what abilities can be worked on at home and during the final year(s) of high school), and to have a better understanding of what to look for in a college when they tour schools and apply. Other participants use the summer program as a crash course in knowing what to expect, as they start their college orientation, a few weeks later. We have also had students participate in multiple summers.
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We start with a “traditional college move-in” on Sunday afternoon where caregivers can assist their young adults in moving into their dorm room for the week, after participants have signed out their keys with Res Life staff. This is immediately followed by an orientation for participants and caregiver information session for those who want to attend. Monday through Thursday are full days, comprised of an optional fitness election, followed by morning check-in, breakfast in the dining hall, one to two information sessions, lunch in the dining hall, afternoon info sessions/ activities, off-campus excursion that includes dinner, evening check-in meeting, followed by nightly activities. Friday morning entails breakfast in the dorm, wrap up meeting with participants, and morning pick-up.
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No. While the program is most convenient for those living in eastern Massachusetts, all (who are up for an early car ride) are welcome to join. For the summer, we’ve had participants from ME, NH, CT, NY, NJ, PA, MD, FL, IL, MN, LA, TX, AZ, and CA (as well as MA).