Naviance
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Educational software |
| Founded | 2002 in Washington, D.C., United States |
| Founder | Steven R. Swanson, Stephen M. Smith, Shaun Fanning |
| Headquarters | Arlington, Virginia , United States |
Area served | Worldwide (100 countries) |
| Products | College and career readiness software |
| Owner | PowerSchool |
Naviance is a U.S.-based provider specializing in college and career readiness software, collaborating with high schools and K–12 educational institutions to deliver tools for career evaluation and college planning. Its solutions support more than 7 million students in close to 8,500 schools spanning 100 countries.
History and acquisitions
Originating in Washington, D.C. in 2002, Naviance was established by Steven R. Swanson, Stephen M. Smith, and Shaun Fanning, and currently operates out of Arlington, Virginia. In 2007, Hobsons—a Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT) subsidiary focusing on educational technology—acquired the company. Naviance broadened its product range through strategic acquisitions: it purchased MyFit in 2010, a platform that employs data analytics to recommend colleges tailored to students; and in 2012, it acquired PrepMe, which offers preparation resources for PSAT, SAT, and ACT exams. In 2021, PowerSchool became the new owner of Naviance.
Software
Naviance provides a cloud-based software as a service platform that equips students with resources for researching colleges, matching with institutions, planning courses, conducting career assessment, completing personality tests, and participating in surveys that connect their school involvement to future objectives. For school counselors, the platform includes tools to monitor student development, facilitate communication with families, and produce analytical reports on student demographics. The system’s integration with "The Common Application" simplifies the college application process by enabling electronic submission of transcripts, forms, and recommendation letters via Naviance eDocs.
The scattergram feature visualizes historical admission outcomes from specific high schools to colleges based on GPA and standardized test scores, illustrating patterns of acceptances, rejections, and waitlist statuses.
In March 2013, Naviance introduced the free Naviance Student app for iOS devices, allowing students to explore college options and manage admissions responsibilities remotely.
A year later, in March 2014, Hobsons rolled out the Naviance College and Career Readiness Curriculum targeting middle and high school learners. Created in partnership with Roadtrip Nation, this curriculum is designed to bridge the gap between aspirations and achievement by enhancing college awareness and fostering critical non-cognitive skills essential for success beyond secondary education.
Awards and recognition
Naviance earned a spot on District Administration magazine’s Reader’s Choice Top 100 Products list in 2011. The following year, the publication highlighted Minneapolis Public Schools’ experience after two years of using Naviance: a 30% growth in students developing post-secondary education and career plans alongside a 6% increase in enrollment at four-year colleges.
See also
- College admissions in the United States
- University and college admission
- Common Core State Standards Initiative
- School counseling
- Career assessment