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When must you stand up for yourself? Or even stand up for others? Are “four legs good and two legs bad…or better?”

Extensive study has been done for decades about the themes and depth of the classic novel Animal Farm. Now, we have a chance to really dive into the meaning of George Orwell's writing to debate and explore the relevant arguments within. We will read the book and clarify its historical/allegorical connection with the Russian Revolution of 1917 (maybe even extending to current events relevance). Then, we will study the character's motivations, desires, struggles, and impact on the overall story arc. This background work will be weaved with the basics of effective debate skills and lead to what should be spirited, fun debates!

So…what kind of animal are YOU?

This is a two-week workshop designed to empower teenage boys to recognize, understand and manage their emotions in positive and constructive ways. Through the use of mindfulness, problem-solving, and conflict resolution exercises, participants will learn to identify emotional triggers, develop healthy coping strategies, and improve communication skills. Throughout the workshop, participants will develop and compose a personalized action plan for staying calm under pressure and turning challenges into opportunities for personal growth.

In this course, students will learn about the structure of the atom, the patterns of the periodic table, the nature of atomic bonds (covalent and ionic), and the dynamics of chemical reactions. They will see real world examples of each of these phenomena through experimentation and they will learn how to interpret scientific data.

Control your thoughts, alter your attitude, and delete negativity. This course is a 3-step process that empowers the young mind to make strides towards their ultimate potential through self-internalization, unpacking self-value, and surrounding oneself with dream champions. 

CTRL: Students will explore emotional origins and develop skills to identify and care for emotions.

ALT: Students will articulate the underlying fear of failure and visualize what it means to “shine”. 

DEL: Students will define what a friend is while avoiding those who might be dream thieves.

Students will walk away with the tools to nurture their emotions, recognize their value, and protect their dreams.

In this course, students will explore their inner workings and their very own decision making process. In order for an individual to make a well informed decision they must understand themself. Students will engage in experiences where they will contribute to group or individual decisions. Along with this, students will reflect on their experiences and learn about various decision making models. The objective of this course is for each individual to gain insights into themselves and to develop strategies that can guide their own decision making process.

This course will give students the opportunity to work collaboratively as part of their own film crew while they develop, shoot, and edit short narrative films. Each student will take on a variety of responsibilities in turn, gaining experience operating a professional cinema camera, recording sound, acting, and directing, with the course culminating in a screening of the finished movies. Skills refined along the way will include visual storytelling, shot design, the essentials of post-production, and the art of successful collaboration and teamwork.

In this course, students will analyze real-world financial decisions that they can expect to make after graduating high school. They will learn how to use debt (credit cards, student loans, mortgages), some of the pros and cons of different career paths (trade school, college, graduate school), how to create a budget, the basics of investment philosophy (stocks, bonds, index funds), and how to plan for retirement (401K, IRA, HSA, social security).

Dive into the exciting world where robotics and digital living collide! In this hands-on class, you’ll design, build, and program robots, drones, and explore how technology shapes our daily lives. Whether you're programming smart machines or learning how tech transforms everything from entertainment to communication, this class will give you the skills to thrive in tomorrow’s digital world—today!

In this course you will build upon what you learned in the Introductory course. We learn how to invest your hard earned income, across multiple asset classes such as stocks, bonds, foreign exchange, crypto and more! You will harness to power of compounding to provide economically for you and your loved ones. We will blend a mix of theory and practice using simulations and games to bring this important and exciting topic to life!

This course will include basic car maintenance such as an oil change, tire change, and fluids check. A healthy living portion will include the importance of healthy cooking, exercise, hygiene, and sleep. Along with these topics this course will include time management techniques and the importance of daily routines, balancing budgets, and different forms of self advocacy. Take this course in order to be better equipped at life!

Influenced by decades of work with highly successful clients, Drew has discovered a "red thread' running through all definitions of leadership.  Articulated most famously by The Rev. Dr Martin Luther King, it is the concept and practice of Strong and Demanding Love. Love lies at the heart of every strong leader, visionary, and teammate. Imagine our Reachers learning and creatively offering "gestures of love" so as to form and expand their relationships at home, school and the world around them.

The Four Central Concepts of Course:

1. What is strong and demanding Love? (Reframing what we see in Love)

2. What potentials and possibilities does it offer Reachers?

3. What obstructs strong and demanding Love from influencing our relationships?

4. What are the real ways that we can create and share strong and demanding love?

History is written by the victors..." OR IS IT? This course is an exploration of the real "history" of America and it's impact on the melting pot it so proudly identifies itself as. We will look at aspects of America's impact on it's under-served populations, it's populations of color, it's LGBTQIA+ impact and the past impact on it's most vulnerable demographic, the children. The course will be an unfiltered and objective look on how America rose to become one of the world's superpowers and what strides as well as what concessions were made along the way.

This course introduces the fundamental elements and principles of art and design that every proficient artist or designer uses, including movement, balance, contrast, and form. This course will also dive into some visual organization techniques such as composition and color theory that play a major role in any visual experience. These skills will be utilized in a final group project to design a t-shirt to commemorate this year’s program at Reach Academy.

Between the ages of 12 and 24, a number of fundamental, sometimes challenging changes are taking place in the brain, and adolescence is often misunderstood as a period of recklessness, impulsivity and immaturity. But what if the teenage years were an opportunity to lay the groundwork for a life of purpose and adventure?

In "The Neurobiology of the Teenage Brain", students will delve into the intricate workings of the adolescent brain, from synaptic pruning to the maturation of key brain regions, with the goal of examining the impact these changes have on emotions, behavior and cognition. Utilizing a blend of scientific research, real-life case studies, and practical exercises, students will learn how to safely take risks, deal with complex emotions and problems, and lean into the challenges and opportunities that arise during this critical period of development.

It all starts with a script! Screenplays are at the heart of almost every film production, from summer blockbusters to long-running TV series. Screenwriting is also an exciting practice for anyone interested in honing their storytelling skills. This course introduces the fundamental tools and elements every adept screenwriter uses, including the three-act structure, professional screenplay format, brainstorming and character development techniques, and dialogue writing. These skills will be put into practice during the writing of short screenplays in a variety of genres, giving students the experience of crafting their own epic stories in screenplay form and culminating in table reads of the finished scripts.

This course is designed to help students develop essential time management skills and overcome the challenges of procrastination. Through interactive discussions, practical strategies, and self-reflection, students will explore the root causes of procrastination and learn how to prioritize tasks, set realistic goals, and stay organized. The course emphasizes the importance of balancing school, personal life, and well-being, while offering tools to manage distractions, reduce stress, and build a more productive routine. By the end, students will be equipped with the skills needed to handle their responsibilities effectively and confidently.

Many of us think of a career as having a title, climbing the corporate ladder, or falling into a job. We’re also raised to believe that if we just do what we feel passionate about, our purpose will eventually reveal itself. Regardless of whether you believe in passion or purpose, progress begins with action.

In “What Do You Want To Be?” students will utilize a series of practical tools and exercises to reveal their natural talents and figure out how and where to apply those skills to future endeavors. By tapping into the desires, fears and resources that propel us forward (or backwards), students will walk away with a greater sense of confidence in their ability to face the important decisions that lay ahead, whether that be in their careers or personal lives.

We all strive to make a difference in the world, but is the world truly ready to embrace each of us as we are—without reservation?

Ta-Nehisi Coates' acclaimed book, Between the World and Me, delves deeply into this question. Written as a series of heartfelt letters to his son, Coates offers a profound and underrepresented perspective—that of a Black man sharing a lifetime of hard-earned wisdom.

In our class exploration, we will unpack the powerful lessons Coates shares and confront the stark realities faced by one group of Americans striving to exist in a nation that promises to be "the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave."