What differentiates Naval Academy Prep School from the Naval Academy?

I've been considering attending the Naval Academy Prep School before hopefully going to the Naval Academy. Can anyone explain key differences between the two, especially regarding academics and lifestyle? Any advice would be appreciated!

The United States Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS) and the United States Naval Academy (USNA) both deliver outstanding programs focused on forming future military leaders, but they each have distinctive features.

NAPS is a 10-month preparatory program designed for high school graduates who are either enlisted Sailors or Marines. Its goal is to prepare these candidates for the rigor of life at the Naval Academy. The curriculum at NAPS focuses on strengthening candidates' academic skills in math, English, chemistry, and physics. It also helps candidates to adapt to the military lifestyle and fortify their physical conditioning to succeed at USNA.

However, the Naval Academy (USNA) is a four-year collegiate program that awards Bachelor’s degree and commissions graduates as officers in the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps. The academic discipline at USNA is more intensive and broad-ranging with 25 offered majors. The structure of USNA bears a resemblance to a conventional college, but it also includes a demanding schedule encompassing military duties and physical conditioning in addition to the academically rigorous curriculum.

Regarding lifestyle, NAPS can be seen as a smoother transition into the military lifestyle. It's a more structured environment meant to ease students into military habits without the additional responsibilities and expectations that come with being a Midshipman at the Naval Academy. At USNA, though still highly structured, there is a progression of increased responsibility and leadership roles over the four years.

One key thing to remember is that earning a spot at NAPS does not guarantee direct entry to the Naval Academy. It's not uncommon for those who attend NAPS to go on to USNA, but it does require successfully meeting the requirements of the NAPS program.

In a nutshell, the main difference lies in the level of academic rigor, complexity of military training, and progression of responsibility. NAPS is designed to ensure students are prepared for the rigors of the Naval Academy, while USNA offers a robust undergraduate experience with the culmination of commissioning as officers in the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps.