Is the Naval Academy Prep School considered a college?

I'm trying to understand the role of the Naval Academy Prep School in the path to attending the Naval Academy. Does it count as a college, or is it more like a stepping-stone program?

The United States Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS), located in Newport, Rhode Island, is not technically a college. Instead, it serves as a rigorous one-year preparatory program for students who have received a conditional appointment to the Naval Academy. The NAPS curriculum is concentrated on strengthening students' academic, physical, and moral foundations to prepare them for success at the Naval Academy.

Students at NAPS attend classes in core subjects like mathematics, chemistry, English, and physics, similar to a first-year college curriculum. They also participate in physical education and military training, which is distinct from a typical college experience. Upon completion of the program, assuming they meet all requirements, students then matriculate directly to the Naval Academy as plebes (freshmen).

So, while NAPS is not a traditional college in itself, it does carry the academic rigor and preparation characteristics of a college, specifically tailored to prepare students for life at the Naval Academy.