Summer College Readiness Program

During our two-week program, students take three core courses—College Writing, Executive Function & Study Skills, and Issues in Today’s World—within a schedule designed to reflect the structure and expectations of college.

Key areas of skill development include:

• Applying critical reading and thinking strategies to engage with academic material 
• Taking and revising notes from lectures and discussions 
• Writing clear summaries and developing analytical responses to readings 
• Understanding the difference between high school and college-level expectations 
• Practicing the writing process, including drafting, revision, and feedback 
• Developing systems for organizing coursework and managing multiple responsibilities 
• Building executive function skills such as planning, prioritizing, and task initiation 
• Learning how to use support systems, including advising and office hours 
• Practicing self-advocacy in academic, residential, and social settings 

Students do not just learn skills—they practice them in a structured, college-like environment, helping them build confidence and independence before the start of their first semester.

I appreciate the kindness and compassion of the Landmark faculty and staff. They ‘get’ these kids—they understand them. The Summer Transition Program was great preparation for the ‘real thing.’ My objectives were met: giving my son a taste of independent living in a college-like atmosphere.

Thank for the guidance that you all have provided our daughter. Her experience and the tools she acquired at Landmark will serve her well. I look forward to watching her continue to grow, learn, and blossom.

This program helped my son get a better handle on the work required at the college level. So far, so good at college! He feels ready to take on anything his professors throw at him. Thank you for a great experience!

Our son benefited very much having a dress rehearsal of what he might experience his freshman year and learning about advocating for his accommodations. It gave him confidence that he was, in fact, ready for college. And it helped us feel better about him leaving home. It was a reminder that he’s continuing to grow and achieve in spite of learning differences and personality differences.

The feedback at the end of the program was so helpful and reassuring!! Our son also told us of all the great experiences he had this summer. We will be forever grateful.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to attend the Summer College Readiness program. I look forward to taking what I learned to college with me. It was life changing.

This is a list of the colleges/universities that the Summer College Readiness students were accepted to:

• Belmont University
• Bennington College
• Brandeis University
• Bunker Hill Community College
• California State University Monterey Bay
• Community College of Vermont
• Cornell University
• Denison
• Evergreen State College
• Florida Atlantic University
• George Fox University
• Georgia College
• Hobart and William Smith Colleges
• James Madison University
• Laurel Ridge Community College
• Lynn University
• Molloy University
• Muhlenberg College
• New England Institute of Technology
• Northeastern University
• Oregon State University
• Palm Beach State College
• Quinnipiac University
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• Rollins College
• Saint Mary's College
• San Diego State University
• Scripps College
• Shepherd University
• Simmons University
• Sonoma State University
• SUNY Purchase College
• Temple University
• UMass Amherst
• University of Denver
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• University of Maryland College Park UMBC
• University of Montana
• University of Northern Texas
• University of Pittsburgh
• Western Washington University
• Woffard College

The Social Pragmatics team will deliver instruction, activities, and programming to help support students who would benefit from social pragmatic support. In addition, there will be social coaching opportunities, as well as parent meetings to supplement what the students will be learning. This support is open to all students.

Social Pragmatics Intensive Schedule

Week One:

• Monday, July 13: PEERS Session 1: Workshop 5:30 – 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, July 14: Online Activity 6:30 – 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 15: PEERS Session 2: Workshop 5:30 – 7 p.m.
• Thursday, July 16: Online and Off-Campus Activities 6:30 – 8 p.m.
        Parent Sessions 6 – 7 p.m. Eastern—Online

Week Two:

• Monday, July 20: PEERS Session 3: Workshop 5:30 – 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, July 21: Online Activity 6:30 – 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 22: PEERS Session 4: Workshop 5:30 – 7 p.m.
• Thursday, July 23: Online and Off-Campus Activities 6:30 – 8 p.m.
        Parent Sessions 6 – 7 p.m. Eastern—Online

Individual social coaching sessions will be scheduled during the week.
Please note - Sessions are dinner meetings and will be held in the dining hall conference room B

Core Lecture Course—Issues in Today's World: In this two-week interdisciplinary course, students explore contemporary topics through short readings, media, and discussion. Topics may include artificial intelligence in education, social media and corporate responsibility, and current debates in higher education.

More importantly, this course gives students a chance to practice college-level academic work in a real classroom setting. Students develop their ability to read critically, participate in discussion, take effective notes, and engage with complex ideas. Skills introduced in Executive Function & Study Skills and College Writing are applied directly, helping students connect strategies to actual academic expectations.

Executive Functioning & Study Skills: This course focuses on the skills students need to manage the day-to-day demands of college. Students learn strategies for time management, organization, planning, and follow-through, along with approaches to reading, note-taking, and studying.

Throughout our program, students apply these strategies to their other courses, learning how to plan their time, break down assignments, and stay on track. The goal is not just to introduce strategies, but to help students build habits and systems they can carry into their first semester.

College Writing: College Writing introduces students to what college-level writing looks like and how to approach it. Students practice key elements of the writing process, including generating ideas, organizing arguments, drafting, revising, and responding to feedback.

In addition to class meetings, students participate in Writing Studio, a guided work session where they actively draft, revise, and develop their writing with support. The combination of instruction and practice helps students build confidence and develop a clearer understanding of their strengths and areas for growth as writers.

Pre-Arrival Sessions:

June 30 – Session 1
Students will join a call to get to know each other and the Readiness staff during a conversation about what it means to be steppong into adulthood and the increased responsibility that comes with more independence. After the call, students will be asked to complete some tasks to continue exploring these themes.

July 7 – Session 2
Students will rejoin the group to share what they have learned. They will reflect on the process of transitioning into emerging adulthood and acting with intentionality to achieve their goals.