Rolling enrollment open. Courses prorated.
Explore now.Do you love legends, myths, fairytales, and epic adventures? Have you ever wondered why cultures tell stories about heroes, monsters, tricksters, and magical creatures? In Folklore Around the World: Myths, Legends, and Stories, you'll travel across the globe to explore the tales that have shaped cultures for centuries. From brave heroes and powerful gods to clever tricksters and mysterious creatures, you'll discover the stories people have used to explain the world, teach important lessons, and connect communities across time.
This course is not currently being offered. Please check back later or explore our other available courses.
Do you love legends, myths, fairytales, and epic adventures? Have you ever wondered why cultures tell stories about heroes, monsters, tricksters, and magical creatures?
In Folklore Around the World: Myths, Legends, and Stories, you'll travel across the globe to explore the tales that have shaped cultures for centuries. From brave heroes and powerful gods to clever tricksters and mysterious creatures, you'll discover the stories people have used to explain the world, teach important lessons, and pass down traditions from generation to generation.
As you travel through different cultures and time periods, you'll uncover the similarities and differences between myths and legends from around the world. You'll learn how stories reflect the values, beliefs, fears, and dreams of the people who tell them.
Along the way, you'll share ideas, make connections, and gain a deeper appreciation for the incredible diversity of human storytelling. Whether you're fascinated by ancient mythology, magical folklore, or legendary heroes, this course offers a welcoming and supportive environment where curiosity, creativity, and discussion are encouraged.
What Students Gain: An understanding of how stories shape cultural identity and traditions Greater appreciation for different cultures, beliefs, and perspectives Stronger critical-thinking skills through analyzing stories and their meanings Improved discussion and communication skills The ability to identify common themes and archetypes found across world folklore Increased confidence sharing ideas and interpretations Exposure to history, geography, and cultural traditions through storytelling Enhanced creativity and imagination Connections with other students who share a love of stories and legends A deeper understanding of how storytelling helps people make sense of the world A fun, welcoming environment where your curiosity and unique perspective are valued Pack your imagination and prepare for an adventure through time and across continents as you uncover the myths, legends, and folktales that continue to inspire people around the world today! Myths, Legends, and Stories, you'll journey across An understanding of how stories shape cultural identity and traditions Greater appreciation for different cultures, beliefs, and perspectives Stronger critical- thinking skills through analyzing stories and their meanings Improved discussion and communication skills The ability to identify common themes and archetypes found across world folklore Increased confidence sharing ideas and interpretations Exposure to history, geography, and cultural traditions through storytelling Enhanced creativity and imagination Connections with other students who share a love of stories and legends A deeper understanding of how storytelling helps people make sense of the world A fun, welcoming environment where your curiosity and unique perspective are valued Pack your imagination and prepare for an adventure through time and across continents as you uncover the myths, legends, and folktales that continue to inspire people around the world today!
Understanding how different cultures think, believe, and tell stories gives your child a perspective most kids never develop. That kind of thinking shows up in history courses, college essays, and how they see the world. Parents tell us their kids start making connections across subjects they never noticed before.
When your child analyzes why a myth exists or what a legend reveals about a culture, they're building the same analytical skills that show up on standardized tests and in college-level work. The difference is they're doing it through material they actually find fascinating, not a textbook.
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.
Understand how stories shape cultural identity and traditions across civilizations, from ancient myths to living folklore 
Build critical-thinking skills by analyzing the meanings, themes, and archetypes found in world folklore 
Gain appreciation for different cultures, beliefs, and perspectives through the stories people use to explain their world 
Grow as a confident thinker and communicator through discussion, storytelling, and sharing ideas with like-minded peers 
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 travels the world through Mr. Rob's folklore course without leaving her room. She comes to us with legends from cultures I had never even heard of."
Camille J.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Mr. Rob helps my son see the patterns across myths, and now he spots the same hero and trickster everywhere. His thinking has gotten so much sharper."
Elliot G.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My daughter travels the world through Mr. Rob's folklore course without leaving her room. She comes to us with legends from cultures I had never even heard of."
Camille J.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Mr. Rob helps my son see the patterns across myths, and now he spots the same hero and trickster everywhere. His thinking has gotten so much sharper."
Elliot G.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My 2e daughter loves stories but freezes in big classrooms. Mr. Rob's small group let her share her interpretations, and she blossomed into a real discusser."
Nadia Q.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Every folklore session sparks a dinner table debate at our house. Mr. Rob has my son asking why different cultures tell the same kinds of tales."
Reuben T.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My 2e daughter loves stories but freezes in big classrooms. Mr. Rob's small group let her share her interpretations, and she blossomed into a real discusser."
Nadia Q.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Every folklore session sparks a dinner table debate at our house. Mr. Rob has my son asking why different cultures tell the same kinds of tales."
Reuben T.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Mr. Rob makes room for every perspective, and my daughter has grown so much more curious about other cultures and beliefs. That mattered to us."
Whitney M.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My son used to think he was the only kid who cared about old legends. Mr. Rob gave him a group that loves the same stories he does."
Isaac F.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Mr. Rob makes room for every perspective, and my daughter has grown so much more curious about other cultures and beliefs. That mattered to us."
Whitney M.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My son used to think he was the only kid who cared about old legends. Mr. Rob gave him a group that loves the same stories he does."
Isaac F.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My daughter travels the world through Mr. Rob's folklore course without leaving her room. She comes to us with legends from cultures I had never even heard of."
Camille J.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Mr. Rob helps my son see the patterns across myths, and now he spots the same hero and trickster everywhere. His thinking has gotten so much sharper."
Elliot G.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My 2e daughter loves stories but freezes in big classrooms. Mr. Rob's small group let her share her interpretations, and she blossomed into a real discusser."
Nadia Q.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Every folklore session sparks a dinner table debate at our house. Mr. Rob has my son asking why different cultures tell the same kinds of tales."
Reuben T.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Mr. Rob makes room for every perspective, and my daughter has grown so much more curious about other cultures and beliefs. That mattered to us."
Whitney M.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My son used to think he was the only kid who cared about old legends. Mr. Rob gave him a group that loves the same stories he does."
Isaac F.
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.
Folklore 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!