Free Spring Open House · Wed, Nov 11 · Meet the mentors who get your kid

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Young Scholars Academy

Our Virtual Village

Events in our Virtual Village

We’re a Virtual Village that offers community support through regular transformative events.

VIP

Exclusive access for our enrolled families

Priority

Enrolled families get priority access to limited seats

Open

Open to all families in our extended village (our mailing list)

Three Young Scholars Academy mentors in MENTOR shirts posing with photo-booth props at an event

VIP · Enrolled families

Coming up for our VIP families

Live expert talks and gatherings included with enrollment this season. Times are Pacific.

  • Wednesday, October 28th

    4 pm PT

    Shoshana Friedman

    PDA Safe Circle Talk

    VIP only
  • Wednesday, December 16th

    5 pm PT

    Wendy Denham

    PDA: Understanding What PDA Is, Psychoeducation, Nervous System Regulation, and How to Support Your Child

    VIP only

Already held this season

  • Thursday, October 15th

    5 pm PT

    Debra Brause

    Drop What You Know (YSA Mom & Psychologist)

    VIP only
  • Wednesday, September 16th

    5 pm PT

    PTA Meeting with Mr. Sam

    A space for enrolled YSA families to connect directly with Mr. Sam — share ideas, ask questions, offer feedback, or just talk through what's on your mind.

    VIP only
  • Wednesday, September 2nd

    4–5 pm PT

    Dr Matt Zakreski

    Riding out the Storm: Emotional Regulation for ND Kids

    VIP only

Every enrolled family gets VIP access to these talks — plus the Expert Vault of past recordings.

Explore Fall courses

Past Exclusive Events

A look back at expert talks and gatherings from our virtual village. Enrolled families get access to the full Expert Vault of recordings.

1/13

Understanding Different Minds

Dr. Temple Grandin

2/12

Empowering Students with Strength-Based Assessments

Dr. Jade Rivera

3/5

Hidden & Misunderstood Trauma in 2e Students

Dr. Sandra Clifton

10/30

Screen Time and Tech Addiction Talk

Julia Storm

11/13

Live Sit-Down & Q&A

Dr. Danika Maddocks

11/20

Live Sit-Down & Q&A

Tosha Schore

See an event you like?

Input your email below and we’ll put you on the list!

COMMON QUESTIONS

Questions Parents Ask.

Everything you need to know about Young Scholars Academy.

What is Young Scholars Academy?

YSA is a WASC-accredited virtual village for gifted, twice-exceptional, and differently-wired students ages 5–25. We offer 200+ live online courses (from Minecraft Redstone Engineering to AP Psychology to Mock Trial) with a maximum of 6–8 students per course, taught by 20 hand-selected mentor teachers who are neurodivergent themselves. We serve 1,200+ families across 47+ states and 17 countries. This is not a marketplace. It's a school and a community.

How does it work?

During Fall and Spring semesters, courses meet once a week, live on Zoom, 50 minutes per session. During Summer, camps run Monday through Friday, one week at a time. When your child enrolls in 3 or more courses, they get free access to Homeroom Social Club — a weekly gathering with a consistent group of friends. Between courses, students hang out on our virtual campus where they walk as avatars, eat lunch together, and build real friendships with kids from around the world who finally get them.

Who is this for?

Gifted, twice-exceptional, and differently-wired students, including kids with ADHD, autism, giftedness, anxiety, dyslexia, and PDA. No diagnosis required. If your child is clever, quirky, and hasn't found their people yet, they belong here. About 65% of our families homeschool. The rest use us alongside traditional or charter schools.

Is this a low-demand environment?

Yes. Enrichment courses have no grades and no traditional homework. However, for-credit courses include assignments and letter grades. Cameras always optional. Challenge by choice. Students are never cold-called, never forced to participate, and never penalized for how they choose to engage. For students with PDA, demand avoidance, or anxiety, this is the difference between a program they resist and one they ask to log into.

How much does it cost?

Semester courses start at $624. Summer camps are $149–$169 per camp. Payment plans, sibling discounts, referral credits, and ESA/charter funding accepted. We're an approved vendor with 10+ state ESA programs.

Will my child actually make friends?

This is the part that surprises parents most. Your child joins a course about something they love and meets 6–8 kids who love it too. Same group all semester (or all week for camps). Parents tell us their children are more connected with this community than with anyone physically around them. 93% of families re-enroll because their kids won't let them stop.

What if it doesn't work?

100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Switch courses, receive a credit, or stop payments. No questions asked. We can offer this because we know what happens when these kids find their people.

What do parents get?

Virtual Coffee & Connect hours every couple of weeks. Regular Expert Talks with leaders like Seth Perler, Debbie Reber, and Dr. Temple Grandin. A Facebook group where families connect and support each other. Progress updates from mentors. And the ability to watch your child's courses anytime (just stay off camera). You're not just enrolling your child. You're joining a village.

Come Meet the Mentors Who Get Your Kid

Free live Open House on Zoom · Wednesday, November 11 · 5 PM PT / 8 PM ET

Save My Family's Seat
Ann, YSA Community Director, smiling

Not Sure Where to Start?

Book a free 15-minute class match with Ann, our Community Director. You’ll walk away with a couple of classes picked just for your kiddo.

Get My Free Class Match