Rolling enrollment open. Courses prorated.
Explore now.Does your child love storytelling, video games, and deep conversations? In Video Game Scholars Literary Analysis, students will study Kingdom Hearts (2002), a beloved action-RPG packed with heart, heroes, and hidden meaning. This course is not about just playing the game. It is about reading it like a text, uncovering the rich literary layers beneath the surface. Students explore metaphor, symbolism, plot structure, and character arcs through guided discussions, reflective writing, and a creative final project. This is critical thinking through interactive storytelling.
Does your child love storytelling, video games, and deep conversations? Are they ready to go beyond gameplay and explore what makes a story truly great?
In Video Game Scholars Literary Analysis, students journey through Kingdom Hearts (2002), a beloved action-RPG packed with heart, heroes, and hidden meaning. But this course is not about just playing the game - it is about reading it like a text, uncovering the rich literary layers beneath the surface.
Using full game access or video walkthroughs, students explore each world through a literary lens, building essential skills in reading comprehension, analysis, and reflection. This course is not just about games - it is about critical thinking, deep discussion, and the magic of interactive storytelling.
Along the way, your child will explore key literary concepts like metaphor, symbolism, and plot structure, analyze character arcs and thematic depth across both Disney and original storylines, take part in guided discussions and reflective journal writing, and complete a creative or analytical final project connecting the game's themes to literature.
As a bonus, students compare how Kingdom Hearts blends familiar stories with new ideas, sparking fresh insight into how narrative works. More than just a course, this is an invitation to read, think, and feel differently about the stories we love, and to discover that a video game can be every bit as powerful as a classic novel.
Let's explore a new kind of literature - one you can play.
When students care about the material, analysis skills develop faster and stick longer. Your child will practice the same close-reading and interpretive thinking that AP English and college literature courses require, but through a game that genuinely excites them. Parents tell us their kids start noticing literary techniques in everything they watch and play.
Most students can tell you what happened in a story. This course teaches your child to explain why it matters. That ability to find meaning, identify patterns, and support an interpretation with evidence is the single most valuable skill in humanities education. Your child builds it here through material they will not want to put down.
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 Kingdom Hearts through a literary lens, uncovering the themes, symbolism, and narrative structure beneath the gameplay 
Build skills in close reading, character analysis, and thematic interpretation using a story they already love 
Discuss narrative, meaning, and storytelling craft with peers who care as deeply about the game's story as they do 
Gain confidence analyzing complex narratives, a skill that transfers directly to English classes, AP exams, and college writing 
Ms. Wish I’m a homeschooling mom, lifelong gamer, and former private school teacher who teaches social gaming clubs where kids develop important social skills while playing their favorite online games, all while keeping the environment safe and age-appropriate. As Maria Montessori said, “Play is the work of the child,” and I embrace the digital world where so much play happens. I share my love of games with my son and young people around the world. My teaching style is low-demand, affirming, and supportive, grounded in mutual respect. I create a flexible and nurturing environment where learners can feel comfortable, grow, and be their authentic selves. I’m excited to see your learner in class!
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.
★★★★★
"Ms. Wish taught my daughter to read Kingdom Hearts like a novel. She talks about symbolism and character arcs the way she used to talk about boss fights."
Emma N.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My son writes analytical paragraphs now and enjoys it, because Ms. Wish anchored it to a story he already loves. His English teacher noticed the jump."
Martha N.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Ms. Wish taught my daughter to read Kingdom Hearts like a novel. She talks about symbolism and character arcs the way she used to talk about boss fights."
Emma N.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My son writes analytical paragraphs now and enjoys it, because Ms. Wish anchored it to a story he already loves. His English teacher noticed the jump."
Martha N.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Ms. Wish runs real discussions, not lectures. My daughter defends her interpretation of a scene with actual evidence, and she is only fourteen."
Yvonne N.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"The close reading skills Ms. Wish builds transfer straight to my son's school work. He started spotting metaphor and theme in everything he reads."
Nora N.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Ms. Wish runs real discussions, not lectures. My daughter defends her interpretation of a scene with actual evidence, and she is only fourteen."
Yvonne N.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"The close reading skills Ms. Wish builds transfer straight to my son's school work. He started spotting metaphor and theme in everything he reads."
Nora N.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Ms. Wish showed my daughter that a video game can carry as much meaning as a classic novel. Her confidence in analysis has completely changed."
Delia N.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My son used to dread writing. Ms. Wish turned Kingdom Hearts into the reason he wants to build an argument and back it up. That is a small miracle."
Ingrid N.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Ms. Wish showed my daughter that a video game can carry as much meaning as a classic novel. Her confidence in analysis has completely changed."
Delia N.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My son used to dread writing. Ms. Wish turned Kingdom Hearts into the reason he wants to build an argument and back it up. That is a small miracle."
Ingrid N.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Ms. Wish taught my daughter to read Kingdom Hearts like a novel. She talks about symbolism and character arcs the way she used to talk about boss fights."
Emma N.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My son writes analytical paragraphs now and enjoys it, because Ms. Wish anchored it to a story he already loves. His English teacher noticed the jump."
Martha N.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Ms. Wish runs real discussions, not lectures. My daughter defends her interpretation of a scene with actual evidence, and she is only fourteen."
Yvonne N.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"The close reading skills Ms. Wish builds transfer straight to my son's school work. He started spotting metaphor and theme in everything he reads."
Nora N.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Ms. Wish showed my daughter that a video game can carry as much meaning as a classic novel. Her confidence in analysis has completely changed."
Delia N.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My son used to dread writing. Ms. Wish turned Kingdom Hearts into the reason he wants to build an argument and back it up. That is a small miracle."
Ingrid N.
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.
Yes, and our families are often surprised by how well. Students work on their own projects with live mentor guidance, real-time feedback, and peer collaboration. The camera-optional policy means your child can share their work without the pressure of being on screen. Many of our art students produce portfolio-quality work by the end of the semester.
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.
Video Game Scholars: Literary Analysis Kingdom Hearts 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.
Internet connection and can-do-attitude!