About the President

Hello, and thank you for your interest in PREPSKILLS®.

For over two decades, PREPSKILLS® has helped students and families navigate important educational pathways with confidence, strategy, and personalized support.

What began as a specialized academic preparation company has evolved into a comprehensive educational advisory and student development platform supporting students across Canada and the United States.

At PREPSKILLS®, we work with a diverse range of students — including scholars, student-athletes, aspiring medical professionals, artists, entrepreneurs, and future leaders — helping each student identify opportunities aligned with their goals, strengths, and long-term aspirations.

While academic preparation remains an important part of what we do, our philosophy extends far beyond grades and standardized testing.

We believe education is fundamentally about helping students develop:

• confidence,
• resilience,
• communication skills,
• leadership,
• emotional intelligence,
• and the ability to think independently.

Our goal is not simply to prepare students for exams or admissions interviews, but to help them become capable, resourceful young adults prepared to succeed in an increasingly competitive and evolving world.

PREPSKILLS® programs and consulting services support families through:

• private school admissions,
• SSAT, SAT, and academic preparation,
• U.S. college admissions,
• Canadian admissions,
• International admissions,
• educational planning & study/career options,
• mentorship,
• leadership development,
• and long-term student growth.

Over the years, we have built strong relationships with educational institutions, admissions professionals, counsellors, coaches, and academic partners throughout Canada and the United States.

We are proud to have supported thousands of students as they pursued opportunities at leading private schools, universities, and specialized academic programs across North America.

Most importantly, we remain deeply committed to helping every student maximize opportunity, build confidence, and create meaningful pathways for future success.

Thank you for considering PREPSKILLS®. We look forward to being part of your family’s educational journey.

Joanna Severino, B.Comm, B.Ed, OCT

Founder & President, PREPSKILLS®

A Passion for Helping Students Build Their Future

As an educator, entrepreneur, mother, and lifelong advocate for student growth, Joanna has dedicated her career to helping young people maximize opportunity and develop the confidence to pursue ambitious goals.

Early in her teaching career, Joanna recognized that many families lacked access to the information, mentorship, strategic guidance, and educational insight needed to navigate increasingly competitive admissions environments.

That realization led her to found PREPSKILLS® in 2002.

What began as a mission to help students strengthen academic skills evolved into a much broader vision: helping students become confident, resourceful, resilient young leaders prepared for long-term success.

Today, PREPSKILLS® supports students and families through:

• private school admissions consulting,
• SSAT, SAT, and ACT preparation,
• U.S. college admissions advisory,
• mentorship and student development,
• educational strategy,
• and long-term academic planning.

Beyond Academics

Joanna’s philosophy has always extended beyond grades and test scores.

She believes education is fundamentally about developing:

• confidence,
• communication,
• resilience,
• leadership,
• emotional intelligence,
• and resourcefulness.

This philosophy became the foundation of the PREPSKILLS® approach:

Independent Thinkers. Self-Made Futures™.

Her work emphasizes what Joanna calls the “3 Rs” for success in education and in life:

Resourcefulness
Learning to adapt, think critically, solve problems, and create opportunities.

Resilience
Building confidence, perseverance, grit, and the ability to navigate challenges.

Rapport
Developing communication skills, emotional intelligence, mentorship, and meaningful relationships.

This student-centered philosophy continues to guide every PREPSKILLS® program and consulting engagement.

Building Educational Pathways & Opportunities

In addition to PREPSKILLS®, Joanna created US College Expo — one of Canada’s leading U.S. university recruitment events connecting students and families with admissions representatives from across the United States.

She has also developed educational webinars, mentorship initiatives, admissions-focused events, and strategic partnerships designed to help families make informed educational decisions with confidence.

Through these initiatives, Joanna has collaborated with:

• admissions professionals,
• private schools,
• universities,
• guidance counsellors,
• educational leaders,
• student-athletes,
• and families across North America.

Her mission remains centered on helping students build confidence, maximize opportunities, and pursue pathways aligned with their goals and potential.

Educator. Entrepreneur. Mother.

As a mother of three boys who have attended leading private schools, Joanna understands firsthand the pressures, emotions, and high-stakes decisions families face when navigating educational pathways and planning for the future.

Known for her ability to help students maximize opportunity, Joanna is deeply passionate about creating “optionality” — empowering students and families with multiple strong educational choices and pathways for success.

Her philosophy is simple: families should never feel limited by lack of information, preparation, confidence, or strategy.

For many PREPSKILLS® families, the outcome is not simply gaining admission — but having the privilege of choosing between multiple exceptional opportunities. As Joanna often says, “That’s the best problem a family can have.”

Her approach combines strategic insight with genuine care, mentorship, and a long-term investment in student growth and development.

Families often describe Joanna as:

• insightful,
• deeply invested,
• strategic,
• motivating,
• results-driven,
• and highly personalized in her guidance.

Student Success Story

“Initially I wanted to apply only to UTS. After taking the time to speak to me and my mom, you encouraged me to consider UCC and Crescent too. I was accepted at UTS, Crescent and UCC.

I went through the Prepskills program and with your guidance and consulting, I decided to attend Upper Canada College.

My achievements at UCC have been unique and I am doing quite well academically at the college. I am an avid participant in the various extra-curricular activities that UCC has to offer, including the basketball team and the Soccer team.

I only got these opportunities thanks to you, as I would not even have applied to this school if it weren’t for your advice.”

Seyon Rajadurai
Upper Canada College (UCC)

Trusted by Families Since 2002

• Thousands of students supported across North America
• 20+ years of educational consulting experience
• Founder-led personalized advisory experience
• Expertise in private school and boarding school admissions
• Trusted guidance for Canadian and U.S. educational pathways
• Helping students build confidence, leadership, and long-term success

Work with Joanna Severino & PREPSKILLS®

Whether your family is navigating:

• private school admissions,
• SSAT or SAT preparation,
• school-based testing for UTS, UCC, and other competitive schools,
• U.S. college admissions,
• Canadian or international school options,
• study or career pathways in Medicine, Business, STEM, Arts, Athletics, and more,
• educational planning,
• or long-term student development,

PREPSKILLS® provides personalized strategic guidance designed to help students maximize opportunities, build confidence, and create meaningful pathways for long-term success.

Through a highly personalized and student-centered approach, Joanna Severino and the PREPSKILLS® team help families navigate important educational decisions with clarity, insight, and confidence.

Limited consulting availability applies.

What Inspired You to Create PREPSKILLS®?

As a teacher, I was deeply passionate about creating environments where students could build confidence, grow academically, and achieve meaningful educational milestones.

Over time, I also realized how overwhelming and complex the educational landscape had become for many families. Parents were often searching for trusted guidance, clarity, and insight as they navigated important decisions regarding private schools, university pathways, standardized testing, and long-term student development.

That realization inspired me to create PREPSKILLS®.

From the beginning, my vision extended beyond academics alone. I believed education should help students develop not only strong academic foundations, but also confidence, resilience, communication skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to think independently.

Today, PREPSKILLS® helps students and families navigate educational pathways with greater confidence, strategy, and opportunity — empowering young people to maximize their potential and create meaningful futures.

How Has Your Own Educational Philosophy Influenced PREPSKILLS®?

I believe education is fundamentally about resourcefulness.

When students learn how to think critically, adapt, solve problems, and seek opportunities, they become empowered far beyond the classroom.

One of my core beliefs is that success happens when preparation meets opportunity.

As a certified teacher, entrepreneur, and mother, I’m constantly looking for ways to help students access the tools, information, mentorship, and opportunities they need to make informed educational decisions and grow into capable, confident young adults.

This philosophy continues to shape every PREPSKILLS® program, consulting engagement, and student interaction.

What Inspires Your Commitment to Life-Long Learning?

Some of my greatest inspiration comes from my own three children.

They constantly challenge me to think bigger, grow further, remain curious, and continue evolving both personally and professionally.

I also believe deeply in the power of relationships, mentorship, personal growth, and continuous learning. I enjoy surrounding myself with motivated individuals, engaging in strategic growth opportunities, and exploring ideas that encourage resilience, leadership, creativity, and innovation.

One philosophy that has had a particularly meaningful impact on my thinking comes from You² — the idea that transformational growth often requires individuals to think beyond incremental improvement and embrace bold possibility, expanded vision, and exponential potential.

That mindset strongly aligns with the PREPSKILLS® philosophy of helping students build confidence, maximize opportunities, and pursue pathways they may not have initially believed possible.

Lifelong learning is not simply something we encourage students to pursue — it is something I actively strive to model every day.

What Is Your Proudest Achievement Through PREPSKILLS®?

Every year, I have the privilege of hearing from families who share exciting news about their child’s acceptance to a private school, university, specialized program, or new educational opportunity.

While those achievements are incredibly rewarding, what makes me most proud is helping students and families build confidence, gain clarity, and recognize possibilities they may not have initially believed were attainable.

For many families, PREPSKILLS® provides more than educational support — it provides reassurance, guidance, strategy, and peace of mind during some of life’s most important decisions.

Knowing we have helped students maximize opportunity and build meaningful pathways for their future is what continues to inspire me.

How Does PREPSKILLS® Give Back to the Community?

At the age of 28, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma — an experience that profoundly changed my perspective on resilience, gratitude, advocacy, and purpose.

Throughout chemotherapy, stem cell transplant treatment, and recovery, I learned one of life’s most important lessons:

“Be your own advocate.”

That journey reinforced the importance of positivity, perseverance, and maintaining hope during life’s most difficult moments.

Today, I am honored to support families and children facing similar challenges through the PREPSKILLS® “Wings of Hope” initiative in support of Childhood Cancer Canada.

Each year, students contribute inspirational words and artwork that are compiled into a printed collection celebrating hope, courage, creativity, and the beauty of life.

Proceeds from Wings of Hope support educational scholarships for children impacted by cancer.

For more information, visit:
Wings of Hope