Rolling enrollment open. Courses prorated.
Explore now.Is your teen fascinated by the Civil War but tired of the same surface-level textbook version? Do they want to dig into the real debates, the messy politics, and the people behind the history? Mr. Rob's Civil War & Lincoln course goes deep, examining the conflict through primary sources, competing perspectives, and the kind of discussion that makes history feel alive. This is the course your young historian has been waiting for.
The Civil War and Abraham Lincoln represent one of the most pivotal and complex chapters in American history.
In this course, students explore the causes and consequences of the Civil War, the experiences of soldiers and civilians on both sides, and the political genius and personal struggles of Lincoln himself.
Drawing on primary sources, photographs, and historical accounts, students develop a rich understanding of this era, including the abolition of slavery, Reconstruction, and the enduring legacy of the war on American society. This is history that still matters deeply today.
The Civil War is not ancient history. Its legacy shapes American politics, race relations, and civic life right now. Your child builds the historical knowledge and critical perspective to understand why. Parents tell us their kids start connecting what they learn here to current events in ways that show real depth of thinking.
Working with primary sources, photographs, and historical accounts builds the exact skill set that AP History, college seminars, and research programs demand. Your child learns to evaluate evidence, consider bias, and form their own well-supported interpretations rather than just memorizing dates and names.
YSA is a UC-registered online publisher and WASC-accredited Supplementary Education Center, which means our courses can count toward official college credit requirements. State schools can recognize the courses your student takes here, adding real legitimacy to your homeschooling journey or building on top of your student's existing transcript. That unlocks two ways to enroll: For Credit -- Your student earns official, accredited credit toward their transcript. For-credit students complete weekly assignments that build toward their transcript grade. Outside-of-class work ranges from 1-2 hours per week. Perfect for families who want documentation that reflects what their child is actually capable of -- to show the world how brilliant they are. For Enrichment -- Your student takes the very same course purely for the love of learning. No grades, no outside-of-class work, no credit attached. Just the content, the community, and the growth. Same course. Same mentor. Same experience in class. You choose what fits your family.
If you homeschool, this works seamlessly. If your student attends another school full time, we create a report card and transcript that we share with you, and you share with the school. It is up to your primary school to accept it and add it to your student's official transcript.
Explore the causes, key battles, and consequences of the Civil War using primary sources, photographs, and firsthand accounts 
Analyze the political strategies of Lincoln and the complex forces that led to abolition, Reconstruction, and their lasting impact 
Discuss contested historical questions with peers who share their drive to understand how the past shapes the present 
Develop a nuanced understanding of American history that goes far deeper than any textbook summary 
Hello! I'm Robert, a professional videographer with over a decade of experience bringing stories to life behind the camera. I've always been fascinated by the art of storytelling, whether it's through film, television, video games, or creative writing. When I'm not working on video projects, you'll probably find me exploring history, learning about space, diving into a new game, or discovering some other fascinating topic. I love sharing that sense of curiosity with my students and helping them find subjects that spark their own excitement. My goal is to create a welcoming, supportive environment where students feel comfortable being themselves, asking questions, sharing ideas, and exploring their creativity. Whether we're analyzing stories, learning new skills, or creating something entirely original, I want students to discover that learning can be both fun and rewarding. Most importantly, I hope every student leaves class not only with new knowledge and creative skills, but also with greater confidence in their own unique way of thinking and learning. Some of the world's most interesting ideas come from people who see things differently - and I can't wait to see what your child creates!
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.
★★★★★
"My son devours history, and Mr. Rob finally gives him a place to dig into Lincoln and the Civil War with people who care as much as he does."
Rosalind M.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Mr. Rob uses real letters and photographs, and my daughter now argues about the causes of the war with actual evidence. Her thinking has grown so much."
Curtis B.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My son devours history, and Mr. Rob finally gives him a place to dig into Lincoln and the Civil War with people who care as much as he does."
Rosalind M.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Mr. Rob uses real letters and photographs, and my daughter now argues about the causes of the war with actual evidence. Her thinking has grown so much."
Curtis B.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My 2e son can hyperfocus on history, and Mr. Rob channels that into thoughtful discussion instead of shutting it down. He feels seen."
Delia F.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Mr. Rob makes the Civil War feel like it still matters today, and my daughter connects it to the world around her. That is real teaching."
Bennett H.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My 2e son can hyperfocus on history, and Mr. Rob channels that into thoughtful discussion instead of shutting it down. He feels seen."
Delia F.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Mr. Rob makes the Civil War feel like it still matters today, and my daughter connects it to the world around her. That is real teaching."
Bennett H.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My son used to stay silent in groups. In Mr. Rob's small group he debates Lincoln's decisions with confidence. I could not be more grateful."
Yasmin O.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Mr. Rob handles hard history with such care and honesty. My daughter comes away thinking more deeply, never overwhelmed."
Grady L.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My son used to stay silent in groups. In Mr. Rob's small group he debates Lincoln's decisions with confidence. I could not be more grateful."
Yasmin O.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Mr. Rob handles hard history with such care and honesty. My daughter comes away thinking more deeply, never overwhelmed."
Grady L.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My son devours history, and Mr. Rob finally gives him a place to dig into Lincoln and the Civil War with people who care as much as he does."
Rosalind M.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Mr. Rob uses real letters and photographs, and my daughter now argues about the causes of the war with actual evidence. Her thinking has grown so much."
Curtis B.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My 2e son can hyperfocus on history, and Mr. Rob channels that into thoughtful discussion instead of shutting it down. He feels seen."
Delia F.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Mr. Rob makes the Civil War feel like it still matters today, and my daughter connects it to the world around her. That is real teaching."
Bennett H.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My son used to stay silent in groups. In Mr. Rob's small group he debates Lincoln's decisions with confidence. I could not be more grateful."
Yasmin O.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Mr. Rob handles hard history with such care and honesty. My daughter comes away thinking more deeply, never overwhelmed."
Grady L.
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.
No. Our history courses go deeper than textbook timelines. Students investigate primary sources, debate historical decisions, and connect past events to current issues. The small-group format turns history into a conversation, not a lecture. Gifted and 2e students thrive when they can question, analyze, and argue - and that is exactly what happens every session.
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.
Civil War & Lincoln meets once per week for 50 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!