Youth Leadership Project is an educational organization devoted to mentoring homeschooled children and supporting homeschooling families in Leadership Education (learn more here). Since our founding in 2000, our mentors have successfully guided students ages 8 to 19 through the study of classics in literature, philosophy, history, mathematics, and science to learn about human nature, to grow as individuals and leaders, to increase their competence and character, and to work together as part of a learning community. We believe that every person has a unique gift and purpose in this life, and that the primary goal of education should be to prepare children to identify and pursue their life’s purpose. We aspire to educate our students to become young adults of virtue, wisdom, diplomacy, courage, and integrity who have the strength of character, resilience, and dedication to fulfill their purpose and guide their homes, families, businesses, and nations through the challenges of the future.
Youth Leadership Project Meets in West Hills, California 91307
Our 2021-2022 Classes
Our classes incorporate the principles and philosophy discussed in A Thomas Jefferson Education and Leadership Education: The Phases of Learning by Oliver DeMille and many are based on the programs created by the Leadership Education Mentoring Institute (LEMI). There are discussion groups on these works and this philosophy throughout the year. Contact Shawn Crane for details and times.
Love of Learner Classes
Ages 8-12
Click On Class Titles to Read Detailed Class Information
See class descriptions below.
Thursday, 1:45pm-3:00pm
Ages 8-12
Mentored by: Anna Tapson
Adventures in Cooking is a hands-on cooking class that not only gives kids the mad skills to make a variety of delicious dishes, but also incorporates Math, Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts, all in a compact 75 minute session!
In each themed lesson, budding foodies get to chop, grate, measure, mix, and roll their way to unique dishes that are easy to make, delicious to eat, and have real nutritional value (although there may be a decadent dessert thrown in as well, for good measure).
Along the way, students will learn about the history behind the food they are making, the science of how it is cooked, and variations and substitutions that can be used.
Math and Language Arts will play a casual but very important role in this class as students measure out ingredients and learn about the language origins of the dishes they are making.
With every recipe, each student will learn a new culinary skill, enjoy a fun communal activity, and hopefully be inspired to expand their taste buds on their own!
Monthly Class Fee: $60.00
Materials Fee: $35 per semester
Thursday, 9:00am-10:00am
Ages 8 to 12
Mentored by: Michelle Anderson and Judith Langford
Children of Liberty is a literature-based course that includes fun, creative ways to engage children with wonderful books. Our goal is to encourage and inspire students to love great literature by taking a field trip in a book. We will delve into deeper meanings of the narrative by allowing students to discover personal insights that apply to their own life. The class includes book-bites (food related to the time period or culture), crafts, and activities. This year the stories will be set in the beginning of the United States approximately from Colonization through the Civil War era, where we will meet young people who make discoveries and adapt to challenges within themselves and their environment. Themes will include colonization, apprenticeship, cultural norms, founding of the United States of America, growth, and change, through guided discussion, activities, and projects. U. S. geography, classic poems/speeches from American authors will also be taught. An optional award will be offered to encourage additional educational effort
Outside Work Required: Students will need 1 to 2 hours a week to read (or have read to them) the assigned books according to our reading schedule. Additional time will be needed throughout the year to create a few personal presentations, to work on assignments or crafts, to review current geography and memorize poetry/speeches. Among others, book titles may include Johnny Tremain, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, and Ben and Me.
Monthly Class Fee: $55.00
Materials Fee: $20.00 per semester
iLEAD Charter School funds accepted
Thursday, 10:15am-11:30am
Ages 8-12
Mentored by: Michelle Anderson and Lindsay Zook
Students will explore multiple science disciplines throughout the year. Each unit will highlight a pertinent scientist for that discipline. Our goal is to make this year of science full of discovery with in-class
hands-on activities and experiments, group discussion, and family field trip opportunities.
Outside Work Required: Students will need approximately 1 hour each week to complete assigned reading, hands-on experiments, or the viewing of videos. Each child will do a presentation at some point in the year that will require more at-home preparation.
Monthly Class Fee: $60.00
Materials Fee: $25 per semester
iLEAD Charter School funds accepted
Thursday 11:45am-1:00pm
Ages 8–12
Mentored by: Shawn Crane
Writing is a crucial life skill and one that many homeschool children do not get enough opportunity to practice, or, if they do, it involves gnashing of teeth and tears. This class uses materials from Andrew Pudewa’s Institute for Excellence in Writing and is excellent for both those who love to write and for reluctant writers. It includes the study of writing, grammar, and vocabulary and is open to new and returning students.
Students need to be able to read at a basic level and be comfortable with the physical act of writing. They will need someone who can edit their papers (parent, friend, older sibling, etc.)
Outside Work Required: Students will need 1 to 3 hours to complete the weekly homework. If you have a reluctant writer it is recommended to divide this up into more than one sitting.
Monthly Class Fee: $60
Materials Fee: $15 per year
See class descriptions below.
Thursday, 3:15pm-4:45pm
Mentored by: Shawn Crane
Why should the children be the ones to have all the fun? We face many challenges as homeschooling parents. We often have an idea of what we want our ideal homeschool to look like but struggle to create an inspiring environment in the face of managing our various roles as spouse, parent, chauffeur, social secretary, homemaker, money-earner, and mentor. This can leave us overwhelmed, depleted, and uninspired even on the best of days. If our goal is to raise leaders and self-educators and we weren’t raised that way ourselves, we need help. This class offers an opportunity to focus on and improve the educational environment of your home in order to raise educated, independent adults of good character. Whether you are new to homeschooling, or a veteran, this class will offer you an opportunity to improve the quality of your family’s education.
Prior to beginning this class please read:
• A Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver DeMille
• Leadership Education by Oliver & Rachel DeMille
These books contain the foundational principles studied in
this class.
Babies and toddlers are welcome in class when they need to be with mom. (We ask that you step out, if they become distracting, until they are quiet.)
On-campus supervision will be available for older children at no additional cost.
Monthly Class Fee: $65
Scholar Level Classes
Ages 12-19
Click On Class Titles to Read Detailed Class Information
See class descriptions below.
Thursday, 9:00am-11:00am
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. Students study past heroes by reading their stories and interviewing veterans. 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 study characteristics of human nature through works like the Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens, and 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: $75.00
Materials Fee: $35.00 per semester
Wednesday, 10:00am-11:30am
This class is offered online
Ages: 13 to 18
Mentored by: Shawn Crane
It has been noted that the vast majority of students entering colleges today do not have the writing skill needed for college-level work. Therefore, much of the freshman year (and much of the professors’ time) is taken up in learning this skill.
This interactive online class will use materials from Andrew Pudewa’s Institute for Excellence in Writing. This class is suitable for both those who love to write, as well as reluctant writers, and includes instruction in writing, grammar, and vocabulary. The materials will help students build confidence and competence in high school-level writing.
Outside Work Required: Students will need 1 to 3 hours to complete the weekly homework. If you have a reluctant writer, it is recommended to divide this up into more than one sitting.
Monthly Class Fee: $65.00
Materials Fee: $15.00 per year
Thursday, 11:45am-1:00pm
Ages: 13 to 18
Mentored by: Michelle Anderson
Students will learn the tools they need to win with money now and for the rest of their lives. Throughout the year we will learn, practice, and apply financial principles through reading, discussion, and simulations. Learning to live within a budget, saving, principles of investing and retirement are just a few of the topics covered. Likewise, we will read about, discuss and debate principles of economics throughout the year such as supply & demand, central planning, free markets, money, and inflation.
Foundations in Personal Finance by Dave Ramsey is the curriculum we will be focusing on for Personal Finance.
Outside Work Required: Students will need 2 to 5 hours each week for reading and preparing for class discussion and activities.
Monthly Class Fee: $60
Materials Fee: $30 per semester
iLEAD Charter School funds accepted
Thursday, 1:45pm-4:45pm
Ages 14-19
Mentored by: Liz Kiely & Amanda McCarthy
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: 6-10 hours per week
Monthly Class Fee: $100
Materials Fee: $50 per semester
Meet Our Mentors
To inquire about details for any specific class, contact the mentor of that class. Roll over portraits to view a list of courses taught by that mentor. For information regarding YLP in general contact our director, Shawn Crane.
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Discovery Science
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Personal Finance
and Economics
Michelle Anderson
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Discovery Science
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Personal Finance
and Economics
Michelle Anderson
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