Legrand Prep

I’ve always believed brilliance isn’t born – it’s built.

Hi, I’m Nara Legrand – founder of Legrand Prep, academic coach, keynote speaker, and thought leader in education. I scored a perfect 1600 on the SAT (yes, the whole thing), but my work goes far beyond test prep. Over the past 15+ years, I’ve coached students not only to master the SAT and ACT, but also to tackle everything from Algebra to Organic Chemistry (IYKYK) to the LSAT/MCAT/GRE. Whether it’s test strategy, STEM content, or executive functioning skills, my goal is the same: to make sure students are equipped to thrive at every stage of their academic journey.

I graduated from Columbia University with a degree in Political Science and a pre-med concentration, earned a graduate degree in Women’s and Gender Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center, and later returned to Columbia Engineering for a certificate in Cybersecurity (because I never stop learning – and I don’t want my students to, either).
Along the way, I created the Rhodium Bridge Method, a unique approach to SAT prep that has helped 92% of our students score 1400+ and secure more than $11 million in scholarships (and counting). But beyond the numbers, my deepest passion is creating access – making sure every student, no matter their background, has a shot at the highest levels of education.

I graduated from Columbia University with a degree in Political Science and a pre-med concentration, earned a graduate degree in Women’s and Gender Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center, and later returned to Columbia Engineering for a certificate in Cybersecurity (because I never stop learning – and I don’t want my students to, either).

Along the way, I created the Rhodium Bridge Method, a unique approach to SAT prep that has helped 92% of our students score 1400+ and secure more than $11 million in scholarships (and counting). But beyond the numbers, my deepest passion is creating access – making sure every student, no matter their background, has a shot at the highest levels of education.

I’ve had the honor of sharing this mission on major stages. My workshop, “How to Raise Brilliant Children,” was rated the #1 workshop at the United Federation of Teachers Manhattan Borough Conference in both 2019 and 2021. In 2025, I was invited as a keynote speaker at the Global Women in Leadership Conference in New York City, where I spoke about leadership, resilience, mentorship, sponsorship, and equity in education.

I’m also a proud alum of the Goldman Sachs Black in Business Program (in conjunction with NYU Stern School of Business), which continues to shape how I build and scale Legrand Prep to reach more families nationwide.

As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, I stand in the legacy of Eleanor Roosevelt, Toni Morrison, Phylicia Rashad, Dr. Maya Angelou, and Dr. Johnetta B. Cole (renowned educator and first Black woman president of Spelman College and Bennett College)-women who embody excellence in education, leadership, and cultural influence

At the heart of it all, I believe learning should be fun, engaging, and human. Because whether I’m helping a student tackle their first practice test or unpacking complex chemistry, it’s never just about academics – it’s about creating stepping stones to confidence, opportunity, and lifelong success.