See class descriptions below.

Thursday, 9:00am-11:00am
Ages 12-15
Mentored by: Lindsay Zook 

Ready to roll up your sleeves and get to work? Georgics II is a chance for students to dig into the world of farming, survival, and community — all while having a blast with hands-on projects, powerful books, and plenty of action! 

Step into the gripping world of books with classics such as Little Britches by Ralph Moody, The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien, and Epitaph for a Peach by David M. Masumoto. These stories aren’t just tales of the past–they’re about grit, determination, and what it means to stand strong through life’s toughest seasons. You’ll read how self-reliance, stewardship, and faith, the principles of Georgics, play out in powerful ways.

But the adventure doesn’t stop with reading. Students will bring those lessons to life with a personal project of their own design, dive into community service, and capture the journey through journaling and creative assignments. Class discussions will spark new ideas, and student presentations will encourage them to share insights and inspire others. 

Outside Work Required:  Expect to spend 5 to 10 hours each week reading, journaling, completing assignments, writing papers, preparing presentations, participating in community service, and developing projects. 

Monthly Class Fee: $85.00  
Materials Fee: $50.00 per semester

Thursday, 11:15am-1:00pm
Ages 12-18
Mentored by: Shawn Crane

This class is designed to empower students to develop a connection with the Hero/Greatest Generation of World War II. Through getting to know these amazing men and women who won the War, they will learn what qualities make a hero and consider how many appeared to be ordinary people but were able to rise to what was required of them when it counted. They will subsequently grasp what it might be like to emulate those heroes. Famous leaders of Allied nations could not win the War without the man swabbing the deck, the men who built the planes, or the women who put together the code-breaking machines. They all took part in the ultimate victory, and it would not have happened without each one of them working together toward a common goal.

This is not just a history class, however. Students will also be inspired to pursue their own education in A Thomas Jefferson Education for Teens. They will be challenged and supported in building critical scholar skills such as: increasing attention span, managing time and long-term projects competently, reading for both content and application, writing persuasively, debating, and presenting oral reports and speeches effectively.

An optional award/honors level will be available for this class.

Outside Work Required: Students will need 5 to 10 hours each week to complete reading and writing assignments, preparation for presentations, etc.

Monthly Class Fee: $80.00
Materials Fee: $35 per semester

Thursday, 9:00am-11:00am
Ages 14-18
Mentored by: Shawn Crane

The expression “the voice, the pen, and the sword” often refers to Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington: three great American leaders who were instrumental in promoting freedom. This powerful metaphor demonstrates the idea that there are three primary ways to have impact on the world: speech and rhetoric, writing and communication, and action.

Youth at this age are developing a vision of themselves, their world, and their futures. VPS aims to prepare students to do scholarly work, progress towards their goals, become more knowledgeable about the world around them, and grow their ability to have positive impact.

It has been noted that most students entering colleges today have neither the communication skills, nor the study skills, to take on college-level work. Therefore, much of the freshman year (and much of the professors’ time) is taken up in learning these skills. Classic education throughout time has been based on the principles of “Read, Discuss, Write.”  VPS provides a supportive environment in which youth are invited to strengthen their abilities in reading, thinking, discussing, and persuading; crucial skills needed for success in college and on into their adult years.

Books rotate each year. Students in last year’s class expressed a deep interest in improving their relationships and creating good habits. That will be a focus as well as learning about the major religions of the world to aid students in better understanding the various belief systems and thinking of others.

Some of the books we will use this year:
• Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
• High Road Leadership by John Maxwell.
• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman
• How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
• God Is Not One by Stephen Prothero

Outside Work Required: Students will need 5 to 12 hours each week to complete reading and writing assignments, preparation for presentations, debates, simulations, etc.

Monthly Class Fee: $85.00
Materials Fee: $25 per semester

Thursday, 1:45pm-4:45pm
Ages 14-18
Mentored by: Michelle Anderson & Amanda McCarthy
(iLead and Blue Ridge charter funds accepted for this class.)

In Shakespeare Connection, we explore the poetry, humor, wit, and wisdom of William Shakespeare through reading, writing, discussion, and performance. In the fall, we read and discuss several of Shakespeare’s plays. Beginning in January, we are rehearsing and performing! Acting gives students an opportunity to understand Shakespeare’s plays and characters at a deeper level, and “sets the stage” for developing many practical skills – public speaking, persuasiveness, as well as the use of language, humor, movement, and body language to tell a story. Actors learn to work with others and develop as a team, as well as technical aspects of theater.

Outside Work Required: 5-10 hours per week

IMPORTANT DATES:
Shakespeare Faire: January 31, 2026 (12-8pm)
Rehearsal Week: (9-5 pm each day)
May 18-June 4 (Memorial Day off)
Dates for Spring Play with call time:
June 5-6 (4-10pm), June 7 (12-5pm)

Monthly Class Fee: $125.00
Monthly Class Fee for iLead andBlue Ridge Charter Funds: $130.00 
Materials Fee: $60.00 per semester
Production Fee: (Spring Semester) $200/student