Rolling enrollment open. Courses prorated.
Explore now.*TAKE THIS COURSE AND GET COLLEGE CREDIT! *ONLY OPENS FOR ENROLLMENT ONCE A YEAR* Have a curious kiddo who loves learning about the government and would like to take that learning to the next level? How about a college level? Heck, how about Capitol Hill? AP Government and Politics is a course that all American students should take because it offers in-depth insight into the government, its origins, and its functions. We know that our 2e leaders are going to run the world. Let’s get them started on the right foot, or the left foot, depending on their political compass ;-) In this college-level course in U.S. Government and Politics, your student will study the Constitution, branches of government, civil liberties, political parties, and public policy, all while preparing for the AP exam.
This course is not currently being offered. Please check back later or explore our other available courses.
Have a curious kiddo who loves learning about the government and wants to take that learning to the next level? How about a college level? Heck, how about Capitol Hill? AP Government and Politics offers in-depth insight into the government, its origins, and its functions. We know our 2e leaders are going to run the world, so let us get them started on the right foot -- or the left foot, depending on their political compass.
This is a genuine college-level course in U.S. government and politics. Students cultivate their understanding through the analysis of data and text-based sources as they explore constitutionalism, liberty and order, civic participation in a representative democracy, competing policy-making interests, and methods of political analysis.
Most AP courses are so production-focused that our students drown in work. 2e AP is different. Your child gets the depth and complexity they crave in a safe space to nerd out each week, ask their burning questions, and build the executive function skills colleges expect, all without a heavy production load.
Our differently-wired kids often have transcripts that do not reflect their intelligence. An extracurricular AP course is a chance to show colleges what they can really do. Students master the studenting skills college requires: year-long note-taking, in-depth primary document analysis, thesis writing, and winning argumentative essay structures.
Every AP student gets exclusive access to regular office hours with their mentor. Our average AP score is a 4, and a passing score can earn your child college credit along the way.
The future president may very well start right in this course. We hope to see you there.
The thinking, collaboration, and confidence your child builds in this course do not stay in the classroom. Parents consistently tell us they see the difference at home, at school, and in social situations. When learning is driven by genuine interest, the growth is real and lasting.
For gifted and 2e kids, finding a place where they feel understood can change everything. This course surrounds your child with peers who think like they do and a mentor who celebrates what makes them different. Parents tell us this is the first program where their child truly felt at home.
Dive deep with an expert mentor who meets every student where they are and pushes them to grow 
Build confidence, critical thinking, and genuine expertise through hands-on learning and real engagement 
Connect with a small group of like-minded peers who share their interests, forming real friendships in the process 
Develop skills that transfer beyond the classroom, including communication, collaboration, and independent thinking 
Professor Jennifer Hughes is a retired criminal, international and family court attorney with over 23 years in legal practice. She has taught both in person and online middle and high school for over fifteen years and was the History Department Chair at a non-traditional charter school. She also was an Associate Criminal Justice Professor and has over thirty years of experience competing in Speech and Debate events, including Congress, Lincoln Douglas, Public Forum, Moot Court and Model UN. She created her High School Debate program and coaches Debate students for both the NSDA and TOC circuits. Her students have won competitions such as Harvard, obtained national bids and won State championships. Since 2009, she has taught Advanced Placement Courses such as APUSH and Comparative Government. Professor Hughes, as a parent of both neurotypical and neurodiverse kids, fosters classes that are inclusive and tailored to each individual learner.
WHAT PARENTS ARE SAYING
Parents don't just see happier kids. They see sharper thinking, stronger friendships, and a child who actually wants to log on.
★★★★★
"Coach Hughes teaches this like a real college course but never lets my son drown in busywork. His confidence heading into college has soared."
Vivian C.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My daughter passed the AP exam and actually enjoyed getting there. Coach Hughes made constitutional law fascinating instead of dry."
Douglas C.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Coach Hughes teaches this like a real college course but never lets my son drown in busywork. His confidence heading into college has soared."
Vivian C.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My daughter passed the AP exam and actually enjoyed getting there. Coach Hughes made constitutional law fascinating instead of dry."
Douglas C.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Coach Hughes's office hours were a lifesaver. My son knew he could drop in any week and get real support, and that mattered."
Renata C.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"This is the first course where my 2e daughter got to prove on paper how brilliant she is. Coach Hughes believed in her from day one."
Patrick C.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Coach Hughes's office hours were a lifesaver. My son knew he could drop in any week and get real support, and that mattered."
Renata C.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"This is the first course where my 2e daughter got to prove on paper how brilliant she is. Coach Hughes believed in her from day one."
Patrick C.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Coach Hughes gave my son college-level material without the crushing production load. He finally got to nerd out about government."
Simone C.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My daughter walked away understanding how policy actually gets made, and she can argue it cold. Coach Hughes raised the bar."
Grant C.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Coach Hughes gave my son college-level material without the crushing production load. He finally got to nerd out about government."
Simone C.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My daughter walked away understanding how policy actually gets made, and she can argue it cold. Coach Hughes raised the bar."
Grant C.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Coach Hughes teaches this like a real college course but never lets my son drown in busywork. His confidence heading into college has soared."
Vivian C.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My daughter passed the AP exam and actually enjoyed getting there. Coach Hughes made constitutional law fascinating instead of dry."
Douglas C.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Coach Hughes's office hours were a lifesaver. My son knew he could drop in any week and get real support, and that mattered."
Renata C.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"This is the first course where my 2e daughter got to prove on paper how brilliant she is. Coach Hughes believed in her from day one."
Patrick C.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Coach Hughes gave my son college-level material without the crushing production load. He finally got to nerd out about government."
Simone C.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My daughter walked away understanding how policy actually gets made, and she can argue it cold. Coach Hughes raised the bar."
Grant C.
YSA parent
If you’re not 100% in love with the course, you have options depending on how you enrolled:
You can switch to another course of equal or lesser value that’s a better fit or get a credit to use toward a future course.
You can either get credit toward a future course, switch to another course of equal or lesser value that’s a better fit, or stop all future payments after a 30-day processing period.
No risk. No stress. Just the learning and belonging you have been looking for.
We can offer this because we know what we do works for thousands of other families. Kids become more self-confident. They find their people. And families tell us this is the place where their student finally feels welcome. We know it will work for your family, too.
All-Access Passes have separate terms and conditions. Please see the All-Access Pass pages.
It goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway... to qualify for the satisfaction guarantee policy, you have to actually attend the classes. This is not a cancellation policy. It’s a satisfaction guarantee. You can’t be satisfied or dissatisfied if you don’t attend.
Young Scholars Academy is a virtual village that offers one-of-a-kind, engaging enrichment courses and community for 5-18-year-old bright, quirky kids to empower them to develop their strengths, make like-minded friends, cultivate life skills, build confidence, and feel great about themselves under the loving care of expert mentors. description2: >- Picture a place where your child fits in, is celebrated, mentored, and loves learning the unique content their beautiful brain craves. That happens every day at YSA for over 1,200+ families, and it can happen for your family, too.
WASC Accredited · 1,200+ Families · 93% Re-Enroll · 47+ States, 17 Countries, 6 Continents
Learn more about YSAQUESTIONS ABOUT THIS COURSE
Everything you need to know before enrolling your child.
Our AP courses cover the full College Board curriculum with a critical advantage: 8 students max per section. Your child gets direct mentor attention, real discussion, and personalized support that a class of 30 cannot provide. Students also build college-level study skills, evidence-based note-taking, and test strategies. Many families use our AP courses to supplement or replace their school offering entirely.
Yes. YSA families join from 47+ states and 17 countries across 6 continents. All you need is an internet connection. We schedule sections across multiple time zones so families worldwide can find a time that works.
2e AP Government and Politics: Future Leaders meets once per week for 75 minutes, every week from August through December. Your child joins the same tight-knit group of up to 8 students and the same mentor all semester long. Same friends, same mentor, a new challenge every week.
Our gifted and 2e students experience such asynchronous development that hard age limits rarely tell the full story. If your student should be aged up or aged down, contact us at support@youngscholarsacademy.org or click the chat in the bottom right corner of the screen. We do this all the time.
Please don't confuse reactive distance learning with what happens at YSA. When a kid is engaged in a course they chose, with a mentor who gets them and peers who share their interests, the screen disappears. They're not on a screen. They're with their people. Parents tell us their children fight to log on to YSA.
If your child isn't loving a course by the end of the first week, swap into a different course. Same semester. No questions. Not the right fit within the first month? We'll stop payments, switch courses, or issue credit toward any future course. The credit never expires. And you keep every bonus you've received. Over 93% of YSA families don't just stay. They add more courses.
No. Cameras are always optional. Always. Many of our students start with cameras off and turn them on when they're comfortable. Our mentors engage every student equally, cameras on or off.
No. If you're here, you're in the right place. We don't require paperwork, evaluations, or labels. Whether your child has been formally identified as gifted or twice-exceptional, whether you suspect it but haven't pursued testing, or whether you just know your kid's brain works differently and nothing else has fit, they're welcome here.
Yes. YSA is an approved vendor with 10+ state ESA programs including Arizona ESA, Utah Fits All, ClassWallet, My Tech High, Florida Step Up, and others. Enroll directly to secure your child's spot, submit the invoice to your ESA, and your payment method is refunded when funds transfer. Many families pay zero out of pocket.
Click "See Available Times" on this page, pick the section that fits your schedule, and your child's spot is secured immediately. No phone call. No placement test. No prerequisite.
Right now, a kid who thinks like your kid is in a course they chose, with a mentor who was once just like them, surrounded by friends who don't think they're weird... they think they're interesting.
Your child is one click from finding out what that feels like.
An internet connection and a can-do attitude!