College Prep Academy Program
prepare for community college

Overcoming Common Challenges

Earning a college degree as an adult can be challenging and intimidating, especially if it's been a while since you were last in school. The College Prep Academy is a chance to refresh your skills and build your confidence to move forward.

How Does the College Prep Academy Help You?

At the College Prep Academy, students attend class half days, five days a week, for one semester. The small classes focus on essential academic skills: math, reading, and writing. With the support of caring instructors and Career Navigators, students will also learn valuable skills to help them study, take notes, and overcome test anxiety. At the end of your semester, you’ll have covered the equivalent of three semesters of developmental classes. We’ve designed our College Prep Academy to be the fastest route to getting you college ready while still equipping you with all the skills you’ll need to succeed in college and your future career.

programs for low-income students

Who needs College Prep?

The College Prep Academy is for adults who need to bring up their math, reading, and writing skills to a college level and pass the TSI.

The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a college readiness test required for Texas community college students. Although the TSI can feel like a barrier to college, the real purpose of the test is to make sure students who need extra academic help, get it before they jump into college courses.

We’ve helped hundreds of students get ready for
and pass the TSI!

Read more about the TSI on ACC's website »

How does College Prep work and what should you expect?

As a College Prep student, you'll attend class Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to noon at the Austin Community College Highland Campus. After twelve weeks of College Prep, you'll take the TSI college readiness exam.

While you study hard, Capital IDEA will cover your College Prep tuition, books, and help with childcare. If a financial emergency arises, come to us. We can find resources to help with those, too.

After passing the TSI, you’ll continue on as a full-time college student, and Capital IDEA will continue to cover your college tuition, books, and student fees!

Earning a college degree as an adult can be challenging and intimidating, especially if it's been a while since you were last in school. The College Prep Academy is a chance to refresh your skills and build your confidence to move forward.

Why is this program free?

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Classes last for

12 weeks / Mon. - Fri

Classes focus on

math, reading, and writing.

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Classes are at

Austin Community College Highland Campus.

New classes start each semester:

Spring, Summer, & Fall.

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