Rolling enrollment open. Courses prorated.
Explore now.Does your teen watch movies differently than everyone else? Are they the one analyzing camera angles, debating plot choices, and noticing details that fly right over their friends' heads? Film Studies brings together students who see cinema as more than entertainment, it's an art form worth studying. From classic films to modern masterpieces, your teen will learn the language of film alongside peers who are just as obsessed with what makes a great movie work.
Welcome to Film Studies, where cinematic exploration meets community connection. Your teen gets ready to unlock the secrets of filmmaking and explore the world of movies like never before.
We are not just watching films, we're dissecting them to uncover the artistry behind every frame. From timeless classics to contemporary masterpieces, we analyze age-appropriate movies that each showcase something worth studying. Your teen watches the films on their own time before each session, then we dig in together.
Together we explore the intricate details of animation, character development, special effects, sound design, and set design, learning how visual effects bring fantastical worlds to life and how sound design sharpens the emotional impact of a scene.
We dig into the fascinating world of cinematography, examining how camera angles, lighting, and framing shape the mood of a scene. From sweeping aerial shots to intimate close-ups, your teen learns to decode the language of visual storytelling and read a director's artistic vision.
Students explore how actors build characters through their choices and expressions, and analyze how set design and costume decisions contribute to world-building and storytelling.
Your teen connects with fellow movie enthusiasts through lively discussion and interactive activities that deepen their appreciation for the magic of cinema, discovering new perspectives along the way.
Grab the popcorn and join us in Film Studies, where we explore the wonderful world of movies together.
Parents consistently tell us that the confidence their child builds in this course carries into school presentations, social situations, and everyday life. It builds vocal expression, body awareness, and the ability to stand in front of an audience without anxiety. That kind of self-assurance is something no textbook can teach.
For kids who feel like they have to mask or hold back in other settings, this course gives them permission to be expressive, creative, and fully themselves. The entire experience happens in a supportive environment where every kid gets to shine. Parents watch their child come alive in ways they have not seen before.
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 opens up 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.
Build vocal expression, body awareness, and stage presence in a low-pressure environment where the mentor models everything first 
Develop the confidence to perform, present, and express themselves in front of others without anxiety or self-consciousness 
Experience the full creative process from character development to performance, building teamwork and collaboration skills naturally 
Grow in self-expression and emotional intelligence in a safe, inclusive space where every student gets to shine 
Katie is a highly experienced music industry professional whose diverse inspiration is reflected in her varied body of work. She is a recipient of the American Prize in Opera Performance, has toured the country with her rock band, and has collaborated with well known rappers. Katie has also been teaching in a variety of settings for over 5 years, from virtual public schools during Covid, to one-on-one music lessons. As a former 2e student, and lifelong learner, she understands the complexity in all people, and the importance of not forcing anyone into a box. Her teaching style is one of adaptability and innovation, allowing each student's unique strengths to flourish.
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 son used to just watch movies. Now he pauses to talk about the lighting and the camera work. Ms. Katie taught him to actually see a film."
Priya M.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Ms. Katie makes the discussions the best part. My daughter comes to dinner ready to argue about a director's choices, and she backs it up."
Dominic R.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My son used to just watch movies. Now he pauses to talk about the lighting and the camera work. Ms. Katie taught him to actually see a film."
Priya M.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Ms. Katie makes the discussions the best part. My daughter comes to dinner ready to argue about a director's choices, and she backs it up."
Dominic R.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"The way Ms. Katie breaks down a single scene is incredible. My quiet kid now speaks up in every session and loves it."
Marisol T.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My teen was nervous about sharing opinions. Ms. Katie built a room where every take is welcome, and his confidence took off."
Devin H.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"The way Ms. Katie breaks down a single scene is incredible. My quiet kid now speaks up in every session and loves it."
Marisol T.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My teen was nervous about sharing opinions. Ms. Katie built a room where every take is welcome, and his confidence took off."
Devin H.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"We have tried other film courses. Ms. Katie is the one who made my daughter feel like a real critic instead of just an audience member."
Yvonne P.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Ms. Katie is patient and genuinely funny. My son trusts her, and that trust changed how he approaches everything, not just movies."
Gerald B.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"We have tried other film courses. Ms. Katie is the one who made my daughter feel like a real critic instead of just an audience member."
Yvonne P.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Ms. Katie is patient and genuinely funny. My son trusts her, and that trust changed how he approaches everything, not just movies."
Gerald B.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My son used to just watch movies. Now he pauses to talk about the lighting and the camera work. Ms. Katie taught him to actually see a film."
Priya M.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Ms. Katie makes the discussions the best part. My daughter comes to dinner ready to argue about a director's choices, and she backs it up."
Dominic R.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"The way Ms. Katie breaks down a single scene is incredible. My quiet kid now speaks up in every session and loves it."
Marisol T.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My teen was nervous about sharing opinions. Ms. Katie built a room where every take is welcome, and his confidence took off."
Devin H.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"We have tried other film courses. Ms. Katie is the one who made my daughter feel like a real critic instead of just an audience member."
Yvonne P.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Ms. Katie is patient and genuinely funny. My son trusts her, and that trust changed how he approaches everything, not just movies."
Gerald B.
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.
Specific requirements are listed in the Materials section above. Most of our film and production courses use free or low-cost tools that run on any computer. Our mentors walk students through setup and provide alternatives when needed. The focus is on storytelling, creativity, and production skills - not expensive gear.
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.
Film Studies 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!