“If your reading doesn’t excite you to the point that you have a bunch of important things you want to share with your friends, you’re not reading the right things, or you need some practice reading the right way...Scholar phase is all about reading the greatest books in multiple fields of learning...by turning all you read into great discussions with yourself, peers, and more advanced mentors.”
"Hero Education" by Oliver Demille p.52
SCHOLARS
Inspiring youth to:
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Get a scholar phase primarily through reading classic books. Read, Read, Read and Discuss!
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Continue to love learning and become self driven young adults who guide their own education
We support youth scholar phase by:
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Guiding a scholar phase primarily through reading classic books.
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Providing foundational scholar classes of reading, writing, and discussing.
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Supporting parents and scholars at home.
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Providing hands-on or real life application to complete the path of true learning.
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Training inspiring mentors who work with parents to individualize learning.
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Facilitating many inspirational elective opportunities, as requested by parents and scholars.
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Encouraging youth to work towards 5000 scholar hours and inspiring them to prepare for their life's mission.
MORNING FOUNDATIONAL CLASSES
Cornerstone, Keystone & Capstone
Our Scholar Program is designed to inspire and guide youth to gain their own personal scholar phase, primarily in the home, mentored by their parents, finding their own mission and guiding their own education.
INSPIRE Family Academy support’s scholars with foundational morning classes, designed to focus on the most necessary skills while inspiring youth to seek for their own mission and protecting their time at home to do it.
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS- FIRST HOUR
Cornerstone
Level 0 (11+)
In Cornerstone, students develop the skills to set, pursue, and achieve self-directed S.M.A.R.T. goals. This individualized approach fosters personal agency, initiative, and flexibility, meeting each student where they are and empowering them to take ownership of their learning.
Throughout the year, students will read 2–4 books, give 2 oral presentations, and build the habits and skills needed to become self-motivated, independent scholars. Students also earn tickets by coming to class prepared, serving others, and achieving their goals. These tickets serve as a positive incentive, recognizing effort, encouraging personal growth, and celebrating achievement.
Keystone
Levels 1-4
Read, read, read, write and discuss IS Scholar Phase. This class is the spine of our scholar program and where youth can be mentored, discuss and stay motivated to keep reading. These socratic discussions will be divided up by levels to maintain a small class size. Books will primarily be chosen by class vote from a list of suggested classic books. Parents are the primary mentors, so class mentors will work closely with parents to support them in guiding their scholars at home.
Keystone 1
A youth may apply to join the scholar Keystone class when they have met the following developmental milestones: Reading chapter books voluntarily, initiative to study, curiosity and will seek out things to learn, willing to work and is willing to submit to a mentor and is showing signs of puberty. Level 1 will help scholars branch out beyond fun or frivolous books. Level 1 will read one book a month together and have simulations, activities and self-guided projects based on the book.
Keystone 2
A scholar is ready for level two when they are participating actively in discussions, taking notes, and sharing epiphanies they have in their own reading. Level 2 scholars will discuss two books a month and be introduced to more complex ideas and classics. Slowly, with the mentor’s guidance, they will be invited to develop skills of developing good discussion questions.
Keystone 3
A scholar is ready for level three when they can share with the group what they have learned, lead a discussion on it, and share their opinions. Scholars will discuss 3 books a month together and are ready to read subjects that are new to them and are considered harder reads.
Keystone 4
A scholar is ready for level four when they can confidently stand in front of the group and share what they have learned, lead a discussion on it, and share their opinions and arguments. Scholars will discuss 4 high level books a month together. Scholars in level four are ready to read deeply in subjects that are new to them and are considered difficult or advanced reads.
Capstone
Level 5
Scholars who are ready to launch into their own mission and passions will work with a mentor and create an individualized, written plan for their long term goal in the character development and skills, ability, and knowledge that they want to achieve. Youth at this level have so much passion and energy. They need a shift in the mentoring relationship to allow more individualized mentoring and freedom to explore. They will learn the skills of peer-mentoring and be encouraged to work towards goals to launch them into their next phase of education. (Such as college, trips, volunteer work, careers, entrepreneur ventures etc.) This class will inspire them to find and start on that path.
Capstone
A Scholar is ready for level five when they have discovered passions that they want to go deeper into and are looking for a mentor who can lead them on path towards their focused mission to go into depth in a chosen area of interest. They continue their studies with the group discussing four books a month. Readings explore the breadth of different genres to help an advanced scholar study forms of persuasion through the different genres and topics such as scientific writing, poetry, theater, fiction, non-fiction, prose, essays, podcasts, art forms, documents, scripture, and research.
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS - SECOND HOUR
SECOND HOUR CLASSES ROTATE EACH YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER: GIANTS & WRITING, SECOND SEMESTER: SHAKESPEARE & SPEECH
Shakespeare
Level 0 - 1 (One Semester)
Dive into the rich language, timeless themes, and fascinating study of human nature through the works of William Shakespeare, the preeminent master of the English language. Students will read and explore one of Shakespeare’s plays, strengthen their reading comprehension through reflection questions, and engage in thoughtful discussions about characters, choices, and enduring principles. Throughout the semester, students will deepen their literary appreciation and cultural literacy while bringing Shakespeare’s words to life through a mini-play performance at the end of the semester.
Students earn tickets for activity involvement, a respectful attitude and behavior, completed reading assignments, reflection questions, and participation in class discussions.
Giants of Literature
Level 0 - 1 (One Semester)
Discover the stories, authors, and ideas that have shaped the world of literature. Each week, students will be introduced to a new and engaging book, with the goal of sparking curiosity, encouraging thoughtful discussion, and cultivating a genuine love of reading.
To support this exploration, students will use a curated class book featuring brief introductions to each selected work, reflection questions to encourage thoughtful engagement, and extended excerpts for those eager to read further. This flexible approach allows students to engage with literature at their own pace while discovering stories that capture their interest.
Throughout the semester, students will also be encouraged to complete a Sampler Book Track, exploring a variety of literary works and discovering new authors, genres, and stories along the way.
Giants of Science
Level 0 - 1 (One Semester)
This class is designed to expose youth to the greats in Science. Since there are so many to choose from each time we offer this class will be different. Youth will have the opportunity to try their hand at experiments and develop their curiosity.
Giants of History
Level 0 - 1 (One Semester)
A new class designed to expose youth to several influential and impactful people throughout History. Since there are so many to choose from each time we offer this class will be different. Youth will develop a feel a love for these great men and women.
Creative Writing
Level 2 (One Semester)
Turn ideas into stories with a beginning, middle, and end. In this hands-on creative writing class, students learn practical storytelling techniques and story structure to help them move beyond the blank page and develop their ideas into complete works of fiction. Each week, students apply what they learn to an original story, building confidence and strengthening their ability to make purposeful writing decisions. By the end of the term, each student will have drafted a complete novella, focusing on a cohesive, engaging story from beginning to end rather than perfecting every sentence. Students will leave with the skills, confidence, and tools to independently begin, develop, and finish stories of their own.
Essay Writing
Level 3 (One Semester)
Great essays begin with thoughtful observation, careful thinking, and intentional communication. In this course, scholars will learn to recognize effective language, think critically, and express their ideas with clarity, confidence, and integrity. Through reading, discussion, and writing exercises, students will develop the skills needed to build strong arguments and communicate persuasively.
Scholars will learn to craft clear thesis statements, support their ideas with relevant evidence, write for a specific audience, and use effective literary and rhetorical techniques. They will also practice revising and editing their work with increasing independence, building the skills and confidence to write well-supported, persuasive essays.
Level 4 (One Semester)
Develop the skills of a critical thinker, researcher, and persuasive writer through the process of crafting a formal research paper. Students will learn to ask meaningful questions, evaluate sources, recognize bias, distinguish facts from interpretation, and construct well-supported arguments. Through guided instruction and hands-on practice, students will explore effective research methods, the principles of persuasion (ethos, pathos, and logos), thesis development, formal paper structure, writing style, transitions, and proper source citation. Students will also examine the responsible uses and limitations of AI in writing.
By the end of the course, students will apply these skills to research, write, and refine a 5–8-page formal research paper that demonstrates critical thinking, credible research, clear organization, and persuasive reasoning.
Practical Communications
Level 2 (One Semester)
In this course scholars will learn skills involved in communicating in various ways. They will learn how to be successful in a job interview, how to ask out a date and other important and tricky communication scenarios.
Public Speaking/Unleashing Your Voice
Levels 3 (One Semester)
In this speech class, students will develop the skills to communicate their ideas and opinions with courage, confidence, and clarity. They will learn to manage their emotions, thoughts, and body language to become more effective and composed speakers. Students will practice understanding their audience, supporting claims with evidence, constructing compelling arguments, recognizing logical fallacies, and using sound reasoning to persuade others. Drawing from their personal interests and assigned readings, students will strengthen their ability to think critically, express ideas thoughtfully, and communicate persuasively in a variety of settings.
Debate/Unleashing Your Choice
Levels 4 (One Semester)
In this interactive debate class, students will develop critical thinking, research, and persuasive communication skills as they learn the fundamentals of effective debate. Students will explore how to construct compelling arguments, research credible evidence to support their positions, and apply the principles of ethos, pathos, and logos to persuade an audience. Through repeated debate exercises and friendly challenges with their peers, students will practice presenting ideas clearly, supporting claims with evidence, responding thoughtfully to opposing viewpoints, and defending their positions with confidence and respect.
THE SCHOLAR PATH
