Naviance by PowerSchool

Open Naviance and start with a plan, not a guess. Students sign in, set a target like “graphic design at a state university” or “electrician apprenticeship,” then run interest and strengths assessments to refine direction. Use the course planner to map classes semester by semester and confirm prerequisites line up with goals. From there, launch the school and program search, filter by major, cost, location, and support services, and pin options to a short list. Turn any choice into actions: add deadlines, create to-dos, and draft an activities list or resume with built-in templates.

When application season begins, switch to an execution view. Compare saved schools side by side, check academic ranges with scattergrams, and adjust your list to include reach, match, and likely options. Generate a working timeline for tests, essays, fee waivers, and interviews. Use essay brainstorming prompts to outline topics, track drafts, and request feedback from a counselor. Request transcripts and teacher recommendations directly in the system, connect your Common App, and watch statuses update as documents are sent. Add scholarships you qualify for and log financial aid tasks like FAFSA, CSS Profile, and verification.

Counselors manage the flow from a single dashboard. Create grade-level task lists, push surveys, and assign career lessons. Monitor completion rates, filter by risk indicators, and schedule one-on-ones from within students’ profiles. For each senior, review course rigor, list balance, and readiness markers, then leave action notes. During peak months, batch-send transcripts, manage recommendation queues, and post event sign-ups for fairs or workshops. Use quick reports to spot who needs support with testing, essays, or affordability planning and message them with links and due dates.

Families get a clear window into progress. Parents can view plans, confirm meetings, and compare affordability using cost-of-attendance and scholarship data the student logs. School leaders configure pathways, connect the SIS for roster sync, enable SSO, and tailor permissions. They export outcome reports, track application and award trends, and share metrics with teams. Built-in accessibility, mobile-friendly pages, and strong privacy controls keep use smooth and secure so everyone can focus on decisions, not paperwork.