Who We Are
Beliefs, Values, and Commitment
Young Scholars Academy is a virtual village that helps twice-exceptional, differently-wired, and gifted students feel seen, nurtured, and happy as heck through strength-based courses, camps, and a community of belonging.
Who We Serve
At Young Scholars Academy, we primarily serve twice-exceptional (2e) students — asynchronous learners who have exceptional gifts while simultaneously having exceptional learning differences — differently-wired (neurodivergent) students, and gifted students. We empower students to leverage their strength areas to become creative architects of their destinies, embracing strength-based, talent-focused learning where passion and purpose ignite lifelong fulfillment, growth, and impact.
Our Vision
“No one cares about Albert Einstein’s ability to paint, or Pablo Picasso’s ability to do complex mathematics.” — Joseph Renzulli
Too often, schools focus on students “fixing” struggle areas rather than cultivating strengths. At Young Scholars Academy, our vision is to lead a strength-based revolution for the differently-wired learners of the world — igniting passion for learning, celebrating student uniqueness, and guiding students toward realizing their fullest potential as empowered, confident, and compassionate global citizens.
Our Values
Empowerment Through Strengths
Celebrating and nurturing the unique strengths and talents of every Young Scholar, fostering confidence, and a positive self-image.
Inclusivity, Belonging, and Community
Creating a welcoming and supportive community where all our students and their families feel seen, heard, and valued for who they are.
Passionate Lifelong Learning for All
Cultivating a love for learning, a growth mindset, and freedom from deficit-based judgment, as we explore their passions and thrive.
Creative, Outside-the-Box Thinking and Doing
Providing a 'yes, and' ecosystem where students think differently, ask big questions, identify problems, and suggest unusual solutions.
Renzulli’s Enrichment Triad Model
Enrichment learning is the most important learning — it’s the way we learn and interface in the real world. Our goal is to empower students to learn to learn, and love it: lighting curiosity on fire, delving deeply into the complexity they crave, exploring authentic problems, and examining the good stuff left out of school.
Type I Enrichment
Fun, exploratory learning that plants seeds of curiosity, authenticity, and excitement. It exposes students to a wide variety of disciplines, topics, occupations, hobbies, persons, places, and events not ordinarily covered in traditional school — the good stuff our kids really care about, but often have to learn on their own.
Type II Enrichment
Goes deep with materials and methods designed to promote complex thinking in student-selected interest areas: creative thinking and problem solving, critical thinking, affective processes, learning-to-learn skills, and discipline-specific skills for advanced learning.
Type III Enrichment
Students pursue self-selected content areas from the first two phases. With mentor guidance in a scaffolded journey, they assume the role of first-hand inquirers investigating at unprecedented depths. It is the most beautiful thing in the world to behold — it is enrichment learning!
How Your Family Benefits
We’re on a mission to empower every student to break free from deficit-based education that drains bright minds through an incessant focus on weaknesses. Rather than “bringing the bottom up,” we raise the roof by cultivating and unleashing each student’s unique interests and talents. Neurodiverse students with dual diagnoses — gifted behaviors alongside challenge areas — are nurtured in a haven where their brilliance shines brightly for the world to witness in all its glory.
- Ignites a true love of learning
- Empowers students through strengths
- Offers weekly excitement with fun courses
- Steeps members in community and connection
- Broadens horizons with insights from Expert Talks
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Students of color are wildly underserved in neurodivergent and gifted education. Young Scholars Academy is dedicated to changing that. We’re committed to fostering an equitable environment where every Young Scholar receives equal opportunities and support, because access to quality education should not be hindered by any form of discrimination or systemic barriers. We promote open dialogue, celebrate uniqueness, and support collaboration so every student feels seen, heard, and valued.
Families of color experiencing financial barriers are warmly encouraged to contact our team to share their story. We’re committed to ensuring our classrooms look like the world around us.
A Message from Mr. Sam, M.Ed.
Wherever your child is on their twice-exceptional or neurodivergent journey, now is the best time to take the next step toward thriving. Here at Young Scholars Academy, you’ll see your child thriving from day one. You may feel alone, frustrated, anxious, or uncertain — and I’m here to tell you that all you have to do is take one more step.
Our 23 mentors are dedicated to ensuring children thrive, and 1,200+ families are currently watching their children flourish in the Virtual Village. Take that one step today, and your only regret will be that you didn’t join us sooner.
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 5–18. We offer 175 live online courses (from Minecraft Redstone Engineering to AP Psychology to Mock Trial) with a maximum of 6–8 students per course, taught by 23 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. No grades. No traditional homework. 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 $163–$185 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.