Pre-College Summer Program
The Pre-College Summer Program (PCSP) is a residential summer experience for New Jersey high school students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, designed to build life skills, foster independence, and prepare them for a successful future.
Discover the Pre-College Summer Program (PCSP)
The Pre-College Summer Program (PCSP) is a dynamic, immersive summer residential experience for New Jersey high school students (ages 16–21) with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Designed to inspire growth and independence, PCSP offers participants the chance to build essential life skills, explore new opportunities, and prepare for the future—all in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Generously funded by New Jersey’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, this program opens doors to new possibilities, empowering students to take the next step toward their goals.
PCSP is Wednesday, July 30 – Friday, August 8, 2025
About
The Pre-College Summer Program is centered around transition planning, tailored to each student’s needs, and incorporates academic classes focusing on literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking. Social-emotional development is also supported throughout the program.
Five Core Components
- Job Exploration Counseling: Students explore different career paths, identify their interests, and recognize their strengths.
- Work-Based Learning Experiences: Students engage in hands-on learning opportunities to build real-world skills.
- Counseling for Higher Education: Guidance is provided to help students explore options for comprehensive transition programs and postsecondary education at higher education institutions.
- Workplace Readiness Training: The program includes training to develop social skills and independent living abilities, essential for workplace success.
- Self-Advocacy and Person-Centered Planning: Instruction in self-advocacy is provided, and students receive peer mentoring.
Preparing for Lifelong Skills
One of the core components of the program is career and vocational exploration, with a strong emphasis on New Jersey Pre-Employment Transition Services. These services help students develop essential work skills, understand workplace expectations, and prepare for future employment opportunities. Additionally, the program provides instruction in self-direction and self-determination, helping students develop skills to effectively manage their personal and professional lives.
Program Benefits
Postsecondary and “transition to adult life” education has been shown to improve the likelihood of youth with intellectual disabilities and/or developmental disabilities successfully transitioning to adult life.
While there exists a variety of post-secondary and transition education models, over the past decade there is a movement to expand the postsecondary education options for youth with intellectual disabilities to include participation in programs within institutions of higher education.
These higher education options are located within university and college settings and reflect a variety of program types offering degree, certificate, or non-degree status and can be either residential or nonresidential.
Fully Staffed Program
- Program Administration
- Two academic instructors
- Five in-class teaching assistants
- Two Campus Life Coordinators (living on-campus)
- Four residential assistants (living on-campus)
- One nurse (administers prescribed medicine only)
Curriculum and Residency
Our comprehensive summer program is designed to support students in developing key life and workplace skills through a structured combination of academic workshops, personal exploration, career exploration trips, and social activities. Over the course of the program, participants will engage in a variety of classes, workshops, and real-world experiences that prepare them for life after high school, including employment readiness and self-advocacy.
This immersive program offers a balanced mix of academic, career-focused, and social activities to prepare students for future success.
Key Program Components
- Personal Exploration: Opportunities for students to explore personal interests and self-discovery through guided activities.
- Career Exploration: Includes hands-on career trips and seminars that provide insight into various industries and employment skills.
- Workplace Readiness: Workshops and real-world activities designed to enhance professional skills.
- Self-Determination & Advocacy: Seminars focused on empowering students to take control of their personal and professional development.
- Student Life & Social Recreation: Daily social and recreational activities that foster community engagement and team building.
Room and Board
Students and residential staff members will live on-campus in air-conditioned residence halls. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided at the campus dining hall.