The bridge between middle school and high school success.
Ready for High School. Ahead from Day One.
Academic Navigator is a structured, in-person English & Math readiness program for Grades 6–8 — building the foundations that high school coursework, and later the SAT, are built on. Every student starts with a free diagnostic and an individualized focus plan.
In person at the Parsippany campus onlyWhy the middle school years matter so much
Nothing about Grades 6–8 needs to feel urgent — and that's exactly why they're valuable. These are the years when strong readers and confident math students are quietly made, with time on their side.
High school placement is decided in Grade 8
Honors and advanced-track placements are typically set by eighth-grade performance. Students who arrive prepared start high school in the courses that open doors later.
Foundations compound
Fractions become algebra; paragraphs become essays. Skills built now pay off every year after — and gaps left now grow quietly until they're expensive to close.
Confidence before Grade 9
Students who walk into high school already comfortable with its material spend freshman year building momentum instead of catching up.
The program at a glance
Saturday mornings, structured and predictable: 90 minutes of English and 90 minutes of Math with a short break between, in small grade-band cohorts led in person at Parsippany.
Two strands, one plan: English and Math, every Saturday
Both strands run the full 14 weeks. Cohorts are grouped in two grade bands — Grades 6–7 and Grade 8 — so instruction can go exactly as deep as each group is ready for.
English Strand
| Unit | Weeks | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Active Reading & Comprehension | 1–4 | Main idea, inference, evidence-based answers |
| Grammar & Conventions | 5–8 | Sentence structure, punctuation, usage — the same conventions tested on the Digital SAT |
| Vocabulary in Context | 9–11 | Word meaning from context, academic vocabulary |
| Writing Foundations | 12–14 | Paragraph → short essay, thesis, organization, revision |
Math Strand
| Unit | Weeks | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Number Sense & Proportional Reasoning | 1–4 | Fractions, ratios, percentages, rates |
| Pre-Algebra Mastery | 5–8 | Expressions, equations, inequalities, integer operations |
| Algebra Readiness | 9–12 | Linear relationships, graphing, systems intro (Grade 8 band goes deeper) |
| Data & Problem Solving | 13–14 | Charts, statistics basics, multi-step word problems |
How it works, start to finish
Session one opens with a no-cost English and Math diagnostic — a clear picture of where your child stands today.
The diagnostic becomes a personal plan: which skills to reinforce, which to stretch, and what success looks like for this cohort.
90 minutes of English and 90 minutes of Math each week, in cohorts capped at 12 so no student works unnoticed.
Written updates at weeks 5, 10, and 14 track progress against the plan — no guessing how it's going.
Every cohort closes with a one-on-one conference: what was accomplished, and what makes sense next.
Cohort dates & tuition
| Cohort | Dates | Sessions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | Sat, Sep 12 – Dec 19, 2026 | 14 Saturdays | No class Nov 28 (Thanksgiving weekend) |
| Winter/Spring 2027 | Sat, Jan 9 – Apr 24, 2027 | 15 Saturdays | No class Feb 13 & Apr 3 (school breaks) · Enrollment opens November |
Questions parents ask us
Is this a test-prep program?
No — Academic Navigator is a readiness program. It builds the English and Math foundations that high school coursework, and later the SAT, are built on. Students who complete it move naturally into SAT preparation when the time comes.
What if my child is behind — or ahead — of grade level?
That's exactly what the opening diagnostic is for. Every student gets an individualized focus plan, and the small grade-band cohorts (Grades 6–7 and Grade 8, max 12 students) let instructors meet each student where they are.
How much homework is there?
A focused weekly assignment reinforces each Saturday's sessions — designed to fit alongside regular schoolwork, not compete with it.
What's the make-up policy if we miss a Saturday?
Let the instructor know in advance when a conflict is coming. Missed material is covered through make-up work and the next session's review, and instructors flag anything that needs individual attention.
Can Bridgewater families join?
Yes, warmly. Academic Navigator meets in person at the Parsippany campus only, so Bridgewater families enroll at Parsippany.
How is progress measured?
Against the individualized plan set by the opening diagnostic. Parents receive written progress reports at weeks 5, 10, and 14, and every cohort ends with a one-on-one parent conference.
Reserve a free diagnostic — and your student's seat
Share a few details and our team will reach out within one business day to schedule the free diagnostic and answer any questions. Seats are capped at 12 per grade band.