Some people have a vision for where they want to go in life. Sam Young is one of those people — and he transformed his vision into a reality that is serving our community.

Young is the founder and head of school for Young Scholars Academy (YSA), a virtual village that helps twice-exceptional and, as he says, “differently-wired” students to feel seen, nurtured and “happy as heck” through strength-based courses, camps and community.

Affectionately called “Mr. Sam,” Young talked to L.A. Parent about how his academy got its start and what motivated him. 

Young: Years ago, while working with twice exceptional (2e) students — kids who are exceptionally strong in some areas while also facing significant challenges — I noticed something transformative. These bright, quirky kids thrived when their strengths were nurtured, but far too many families lacked access to such opportunities.

As someone who identifies as twice exceptional myself, I understand firsthand how powerful it can be to have your strengths recognized and celebrated. I would have greatly benefited from such a program as a young person, and I did benefit from similar experiences later in life. That personal connection drives everything I do.

Then the pandemic hit, and families began asking me to teach their cousins and friends across the country — and even the world. That’s when I had an aha moment: What if we brought all these kids together, regardless of where they live? Young Scholars Academy was created to fill that gap. Families benefit from a virtual program that focuses on their child’s strengths, giving them a space to feel good about themselves, connect with like-minded peers and thrive.

L.A. Parent: What is your approach to learning at Young Scholars Academy?

Young: Our mission is to empower these students to feel seen, nurtured and happy through strength-based courses, camps and community inside our virtual village. Families benefit from a program that helps their kids glow. We offer students opportunities to dive deeply into their unique interests with rigor and creativity. These experiences not only enhance their learning but also naturally connect them with peers who share their passions.

For many students who’ve struggled socially, the problem isn’t them — it’s the environment. At YSA, families find the right community for their children, one we proudly call a “virtual village.”

L.A. Parent: How many students do you have?

Nearly 400 families benefit from our program, supported by a team of 19 incredible mentors. We refer to our teachers as mentors because they do so much more than simply teach. 

L.A. Parent: What sets YSA’s approach to learning apart from other programs?

Young: Families choose YSA because we focus on what truly matters:

1. Strength-based approach. Instead of focusing on what students aren’t doing, we celebrate their strengths, interests and relationships. Families see their children flourish as they develop confidence, purpose and self-worth.

2. Expert mentors. Our passionate teachers are not only highly trained, but also neurodivergent themselves or parents of twice-exceptional kids. They bring personal experience, empathy and authenticity to every class. Combined with advanced degrees and specialized training, this unique perspective helps them truly understand and support your child.

3. Engaging content. Our students have bright brains that crave depth, complexity and novelty, but they often can’t access it because of their age or neurodiversity. At YSA, we offer accelerated, college-level content in unique areas that students love, from engineering and creative writing to social strategy and historical analysis. This ensures students stay challenged, excited and engaged in their learning.

4. Social clubs as a foundation. Social clubs are the backbone of our program. They allow students to create friendships outside of academics and connect with like-minded peers in a relaxed, supportive environment. Just like a brick-and-mortar school offers a homeroom, we provide a social club that serves as a home base for building relationships and exploring interests beyond content-driven classes. Families often tell us that this is one of the most valuable parts of our program.

L.A. Parent: What benchmarks do you use to measure success?

Young:  We measure what matters most to families:

• Students’ happiness and self-confidence.
• The quality and quantity of friendships they build.
• A positive self-image and sense of belonging.
• Depth, creativity and engagement in their learning.

Strength-based progress reports help families see where their children are thriving and where they’re growing. Regular updates keep parents connected to their child’s journey.

At the end of the day, success is measured by how supported, happy and connected students feel. What could matter more?

L.A. Parent: What is the most gratifying part of your job?

Young: The most gratifying and fulfilling part of this work is watching our students thrive. Seeing their love of learning reignite, their confidence grow and their sense of purpose develop is incredible. There’s nothing better than hearing from families about the almost instant progress they see in their children.

In the past month alone, we’ve seen dyslexic students fall in love with creative writing and proudly share their first-ever stories. We’ve watched kids in social clubs confidently embrace their identities. We’ve had young children who were picked on and forced to drop out of school brag about being autistic and connect with friends over shared experiences. We’ve had several students make their very first friends here — and one even hosted their birthday party at Young Scholars Academy with friends they met through our program.

Families frequently share the most incredible emails, which often bring me to tears, telling us how transformative this program is and how it can actually be lifesaving. And I don’t use that term lightly. Check out what these parents recently said:

We know this is working for the nearly 400 families we serve, and it’s been working year after year. We’re proud to be a place where children’s strengths shine, their confidence soars and their potential is unleashed.

YSA serves students ages 5 to 18 years old. If you’d like to learn more, contact Young at sam@youngscholarsacademy.org or visit youngscholarsacademy.org.