The 13th Grade®: The Competitive Edge Development Year

DNA Prep Academy’s 13th Grade® is a post-graduate development year designed for serious student-athletes who are not willing to leave their future to chance.

Maximizing an athlete’s profile and development curve is critical in today’s college landscape that is defined by the transfer portal, NIL economics, and reduced roster spots. High school graduates are no longer competing against just their peers. They are competing against older, stronger, more experienced athletes.

 

The 13th Grade® is specifically designed to bridge that gap.  It is designed to provide the tools, training, guidance and development time to become the player that today’s college programs are looking for – an athlete that is mature and ready to contribute immediately.

 

Why the 13th Grade® Matters

The traditional pathway from high school to college athletics has fundamentally changed:

  • College programs are prioritizing transfer portal athletes due to their maturity and proven track record that can be seen in film and statistics
  • Rosters are now limited by strict roster sizes, making scholarships and spots more competitive than ever
  • NIL has incentivized players to stay in college longer further reducing the number of roster spots and making a raw development project unappealing
  • With a much larger pool of athletes to build a roster from, Coaches now expect athletes to be physically, mentally, and system-ready immediately

As a result, many talented high school athletes are:

  • Under-recruited or ignored
  • Physically underdeveloped compared to more mature portal athletes
  • Lacking an understanding of complicated college schemes
  • Unprepared for the business of sports

 

The 13th Grade® solves this development and readiness gap.

 

Who This Is For

The 13th Grade® is built for student-athletes who:

  • Are serious about playing at the college level or beyond
  • Need additional development, exposure, or academic positioning
  • Have not received offers form a level of schools that they want to play out
  • Want to maximize their recruitment opportunities
  • Are ready to invest in becoming a complete athlete

 

What Each Student-Athlete Receives

  1. Accredited Academic Advancement
  • Full WASC-accredited curriculum for credit recovery
  • Opportunity to improve GPA and academic profile
  • Junior college credit opportunities
  • NCAA-aligned coursework and guidance
  • College placement and advisory support
  1. Elite Performance Training
  • Daily strength, speed, and conditioning programs
  • Advanced sports science and performance tracking
  • Injury prevention, mobility, and recovery protocols
  • Access to top-tier facilities and equipment
  1. Sport-Specific Skill Development
  • High-level, position-specific training
  • Film breakdown and IQ development
  • Competitive reps against elite talent
  • Year-round structured development cycles
  1. Exposure & Recruiting Pipeline
  • Direct exposure to college coaches and scouts
  • Participation in elite tournaments, showcases, and events
  • Integration into the DNA and Sports Academy networks
  • Strategic recruiting positioning and profile development
  • The ability to further enhance the athlete’s profile if a spot in DNA’s very own semi-professional DevLeague is earned
  1. Mental Performance & Leadership
  • Mental conditioning and resilience training
  • Leadership development and accountability systems
  • Focus, discipline, and competitive mindset training
  • Preparation for the demands of college athletics
  1. NIL and Financial Literacy
  • Education on Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities
  • Personal brand development
  • Financial literacy and wealth-building fundamentals
  • Real-world guidance on navigating the business of sports

 

Position Yourself to Win

The difference between being recruited and being overlooked often comes down to maximizing opportunities and readiness.

The DNA 13th Grade ensures that when your opportunity comes, you are ready to take it—and keep it.

 

Apply Now

Spots are limited and reserved for athletes committed to development at the highest level. Take the time to develop into the athlete colleges are looking for.