Rolling enrollment open. Courses prorated.
Explore now.Do you love the weird and wonderful? Are you fascinated by tales of mysterious monsters, legendary beasts, and creatures that may - or may not - exist? Welcome to Cryptozoology: Cryptids, Creatures & Lore, where you'll travel across the globe to discover some of the world's most famous cryptids and mythical creatures. From towering forest giants and lake monsters to trickster spirits and dragons, you'll explore the stories people have shared for generations and uncover what these creatures can teach us about science, culture, and the human imagination.
This course is not currently being offered. Please check back later or explore our other available courses.
Do you love the weird and wonderful? Are you fascinated by tales of mysterious monsters, legendary beasts, and creatures that may-or may not-exist?
Welcome to Cryptozoology: Cryptids, Creatures & Lore, where you'll travel across the globe to discover some of the world's most famous cryptids and mythical creatures. From towering forest giants and lake monsters to trickster spirits and dragons, you'll explore the stories people have shared for generations and uncover what these creatures can teach us about history, culture, and human imagination.
You'll investigate the habitats, behaviors, and legends surrounding famous cryptids while learning how different cultures use stories to explain the unknown. You'll also have the opportunity to create your very own original cryptid, complete with its appearance, habitat, abilities, and unique lore.
Whether you're already a cryptid expert or just beginning your journey into the world of legendary creatures, you'll find a fun and supportive space to share ideas, ask questions, and connect with others who enjoy the strange, mysterious, and extraordinary. What Students Gain: An understanding of the cultural significance behind monster legends and folklore Exposure to stories, traditions, and beliefs from a variety of cultures Stronger critical-thinking skills through investigating legends and evidence Opportunities to share your interests with like-minded students Increased confidence discussing ideas and participating in group conversations Enhanced creativity through worldbuilding and creature design Experience creating original lore and storytelling elements A greater appreciation for mythology, folklore, and cultural history A fun, welcoming environment where curiosity and imagination are encouraged Get ready to explore hidden creatures, unravel ancient mysteries, and discover why monster stories have captivated people all around the world for An understanding of the cultural significance behind monster legends and folklore Exposure to stories, traditions, and beliefs from a variety of cultures Stronger critical-thinking skills through investigating legends and evidence Opportunities to share your interests with like-minded students Increased confidence discussing ideas and participating in group conversations Enhanced creativity through worldbuilding and creature design Experience creating original lore and storytelling elements A greater appreciation for mythology, folklore, and cultural history A fun, welcoming environment where curiosity and imagination are encouraged Get ready to explore hidden creatures, unravel ancient mysteries, and discover why monster stories have captivated people all around the world for centuries!
Does Bigfoot exist? What about the Loch Ness Monster? These questions hook students and then teach them to weigh evidence, evaluate sources, and distinguish fact from folklore. Parents tell us their kids start applying that same skeptical thinking to news stories, online claims, and classroom discussions.
Every cryptid tells a story about the people who created it. Your child explores mythology, geography, and cultural history from every continent through creatures that fascinate them. That global perspective and cultural awareness show up in school projects, essays, and the way they think about different traditions and belief systems.
YSA is a UC-registered online publisher and WASC-accredited Supplementary Education Center, which means our courses can count toward official college credit requirements. State schools can recognize the courses your student takes here, adding real legitimacy to your homeschooling journey or building on top of your student's existing transcript. That unlocks two ways to enroll: For Credit -- Your student earns official, accredited credit toward their transcript. For-credit students complete weekly assignments that build toward their transcript grade. Outside-of-class work ranges from 1-2 hours per week. Perfect for families who want documentation that reflects what their child is actually capable of -- to show the world how brilliant they are. For Enrichment -- Your student takes the very same course purely for the love of learning. No grades, no outside-of-class work, no credit attached. Just the content, the community, and the growth. Same course. Same mentor. Same experience in class. You choose what fits your family.
If you homeschool, this works seamlessly. If your student attends another school full time, we create a report card and transcript that we share with you, and you share with the school. It is up to your primary school to accept it and add it to your student's official transcript.
Travel the globe through stories of legendary cryptids, from forest giants and lake monsters to dragons and trickster spirits 
Investigate the habitats, behaviors, and cultural origins of famous creatures while evaluating the evidence for and against their existence 
Explore myths, legends, and mysteries with peers who love the weird and wonderful just as much as they do 
Discover what cryptid stories reveal about history, culture, and human imagination across civilizations 
Hello! I'm Robert, a professional videographer with over a decade of experience bringing stories to life behind the camera. I've always been fascinated by the art of storytelling, whether it's through film, television, video games, or creative writing. When I'm not working on video projects, you'll probably find me exploring history, learning about space, diving into a new game, or discovering some other fascinating topic. I love sharing that sense of curiosity with my students and helping them find subjects that spark their own excitement. My goal is to create a welcoming, supportive environment where students feel comfortable being themselves, asking questions, sharing ideas, and exploring their creativity. Whether we're analyzing stories, learning new skills, or creating something entirely original, I want students to discover that learning can be both fun and rewarding. Most importantly, I hope every student leaves class not only with new knowledge and creative skills, but also with greater confidence in their own unique way of thinking and learning. Some of the world's most interesting ideas come from people who see things differently - and I can't wait to see what your child creates!
WHAT PARENTS ARE SAYING
Parents don't just see happier kids. They see sharper thinking, stronger friendships, and a child who actually wants to log on.
★★★★★
"My daughter has always loved the strange and mysterious, and Mr. Rob built a whole course around exactly that. She invented her own cryptid and presented it with total confidence."
Holly V.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My son used to feel weird for loving monster legends. In Mr. Rob's course that is the coolest thing about him, and it has changed how he sees himself."
Tomas R.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My daughter has always loved the strange and mysterious, and Mr. Rob built a whole course around exactly that. She invented her own cryptid and presented it with total confidence."
Holly V.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My son used to feel weird for loving monster legends. In Mr. Rob's course that is the coolest thing about him, and it has changed how he sees himself."
Tomas R.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Mr. Rob turns Bigfoot and lake monsters into real conversations about culture and evidence. My daughter is thinking critically and does not even realize it."
Amy W.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Every week my son races to tell me which cryptid Mr. Rob covered. I have not seen him this excited about learning in years."
Devon K.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Mr. Rob turns Bigfoot and lake monsters into real conversations about culture and evidence. My daughter is thinking critically and does not even realize it."
Amy W.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Every week my son races to tell me which cryptid Mr. Rob covered. I have not seen him this excited about learning in years."
Devon K.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"As a 2e parent I look for mentors who meet the whole kid. Mr. Rob celebrates my daughter's wild imagination while still stretching her thinking."
Simone A.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Mr. Rob made a space where being the quirky monster kid is a gift. My son finally found friends who geek out about the same strange stuff."
Patrick H.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"As a 2e parent I look for mentors who meet the whole kid. Mr. Rob celebrates my daughter's wild imagination while still stretching her thinking."
Simone A.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Mr. Rob made a space where being the quirky monster kid is a gift. My son finally found friends who geek out about the same strange stuff."
Patrick H.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My daughter has always loved the strange and mysterious, and Mr. Rob built a whole course around exactly that. She invented her own cryptid and presented it with total confidence."
Holly V.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My son used to feel weird for loving monster legends. In Mr. Rob's course that is the coolest thing about him, and it has changed how he sees himself."
Tomas R.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Mr. Rob turns Bigfoot and lake monsters into real conversations about culture and evidence. My daughter is thinking critically and does not even realize it."
Amy W.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Every week my son races to tell me which cryptid Mr. Rob covered. I have not seen him this excited about learning in years."
Devon K.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"As a 2e parent I look for mentors who meet the whole kid. Mr. Rob celebrates my daughter's wild imagination while still stretching her thinking."
Simone A.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Mr. Rob made a space where being the quirky monster kid is a gift. My son finally found friends who geek out about the same strange stuff."
Patrick H.
YSA parent
If you’re not 100% in love with the course, you have options depending on how you enrolled:
You can switch to another course of equal or lesser value that’s a better fit or get a credit to use toward a future course.
You can either get credit toward a future course, switch to another course of equal or lesser value that’s a better fit, or stop all future payments after a 30-day processing period.
No risk. No stress. Just the learning and belonging you have been looking for.
We can offer this because we know what we do works for thousands of other families. Kids become more self-confident. They find their people. And families tell us this is the place where their student finally feels welcome. We know it will work for your family, too.
All-Access Passes have separate terms and conditions. Please see the All-Access Pass pages.
It goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway... to qualify for the satisfaction guarantee policy, you have to actually attend the classes. This is not a cancellation policy. It’s a satisfaction guarantee. You can’t be satisfied or dissatisfied if you don’t attend.
Young Scholars Academy is a virtual village that offers one-of-a-kind, engaging enrichment courses and community for 5-18-year-old bright, quirky kids to empower them to develop their strengths, make like-minded friends, cultivate life skills, build confidence, and feel great about themselves under the loving care of expert mentors. description2: >- Picture a place where your child fits in, is celebrated, mentored, and loves learning the unique content their beautiful brain craves. That happens every day at YSA for over 1,200+ families, and it can happen for your family, too.
WASC Accredited · 1,200+ Families · 93% Re-Enroll · 47+ States, 17 Countries, 6 Continents
Learn more about YSAQUESTIONS ABOUT THIS COURSE
Everything you need to know before enrolling your child.
Most online classes put 20-30 kids in a room with a teacher who reads slides. At YSA, your child joins a group of 8 or fewer students who think like they do, led by a mentor who was often once just like them. Cameras are optional. The content is chosen by passion, not grade level. And 93% of families re-enroll - because kids who have never liked school before fight to log on to YSA.
Yes. YSA families join from 47+ states and 17 countries across 6 continents. All you need is an internet connection. We schedule sections across multiple time zones so families worldwide can find a time that works.
Cryptozoology meets once per week for 50 minutes, every week from August through December. Your child joins the same tight-knit group of up to 8 students and the same mentor all semester long. Same friends, same mentor, a new challenge every week.
Our gifted and 2e students experience such asynchronous development that hard age limits rarely tell the full story. If your student should be aged up or aged down, contact us at support@youngscholarsacademy.org or click the chat in the bottom right corner of the screen. We do this all the time.
Please don't confuse reactive distance learning with what happens at YSA. When a kid is engaged in a course they chose, with a mentor who gets them and peers who share their interests, the screen disappears. They're not on a screen. They're with their people. Parents tell us their children fight to log on to YSA.
If your child isn't loving a course by the end of the first week, swap into a different course. Same semester. No questions. Not the right fit within the first month? We'll stop payments, switch courses, or issue credit toward any future course. The credit never expires. And you keep every bonus you've received. Over 93% of YSA families don't just stay. They add more courses.
No. Cameras are always optional. Always. Many of our students start with cameras off and turn them on when they're comfortable. Our mentors engage every student equally, cameras on or off.
No. If you're here, you're in the right place. We don't require paperwork, evaluations, or labels. Whether your child has been formally identified as gifted or twice-exceptional, whether you suspect it but haven't pursued testing, or whether you just know your kid's brain works differently and nothing else has fit, they're welcome here.
Yes. YSA is an approved vendor with 10+ state ESA programs including Arizona ESA, Utah Fits All, ClassWallet, My Tech High, Florida Step Up, and others. Enroll directly to secure your child's spot, submit the invoice to your ESA, and your payment method is refunded when funds transfer. Many families pay zero out of pocket.
Click "See Available Times" on this page, pick the section that fits your schedule, and your child's spot is secured immediately. No phone call. No placement test. No prerequisite.
Right now, a kid who thinks like your kid is in a course they chose, with a mentor who was once just like them, surrounded by friends who don't think they're weird... they think they're interesting.
Your child is one click from finding out what that feels like.
An internet connection and a can-do attitude!