Youth Scholars Academy

Morning sessions of YSA consist of an engaging and results-driven program taught by St. X's standardized testing coordinator, Mr. Jed Hilbert. With over fifteen years of tutoring experience for both the ACT and SAT, Mr. Hilbert will boost academic confidence and standardized test performance. During these sessions, students will receive expert instruction in key test-taking strategies, subject-specific skill-building, and personalized guidance tailored to their strengths and areas for growth. Students will receive a comprehensive diagnostic assessment, providing parents with a clear, data-driven understanding of their child’s academic abilities and test readiness. Whether preparing for the MAPS, HSPT, SAT, ACT, or other standardized exams, YSA ensures your child gains the skills, strategies, and confidence to excel—while still enjoying a fun and supportive learning environment.

“Get the nearest computer, I need one to solve a problem!” Most people are never more than a few feet from a computer in the modern world. We even wear them on our bodies and carry them in our pockets.  In this course we explore the surprising question, "What is a computer?" What are computers doing? How do they know what to do? You will also learn how to talk to a computer by speaking its language. You will speak to computers and give them instructions for making decisions by writing basic programs in Python. Most of the computers in the world today follow instructions written in object-oriented programming languages, like Python.    

if "Holy Grail" in input("Hello, Who is it? "):

    print("He's already got one.")

Get ready for an exciting adventure of discovery into the world of Physics! Our introductory program makes learning fun and engaging with hands-on activities that bring physics concepts to life. Explore Newton's 3 Laws of motion surrounding velocity, distance, and acceleration over time. Discover the secrets of inertia and momentum while observing the effects of force through exciting experiments. Build your own ramps and projectiles, and study the motion of speed with the effects of gravity – all while learning the fundamental principles of Physics that surround our everyday lives. This is your chance to unleash your inner scientist, ask big questions, and build a solid foundation for future STEM success.

Diction Changes Everything: Finding the right words is important as a reader and a writer. This course guides students through the process of understanding how word choice impacts tone, mood, and meaning in diverse ways. To this end, students will examine Ray Bradbury’s “All Summer in a Day,” James Hurst’s “The Scarlet Ibis,” and William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily,” three short stories that allow a plethora of opportunities for students to both appreciate the power of diction and enhance their ability to engage with literature from an analytical perspective.

All campers must be dropped off and picked up by a parent or guardian.

Campers must bring their own lunch each day.

No—YSA provides all necessary textbooks and materials.

We strongly encourage full participation, as the two-week curriculum is carefully structured. While we understand scheduling conflicts, there will be no cost adjustment for missed days.

There’s no formal dress code—students should wear comfortable, school-appropriate clothing. Since they may participate in physical activities during the recreation period, we ask that they wear closed-toe shoes for safety and support.

Please send a handwritten note with your student, addressed to Mr. Noe or Mr. Glaser, stating the time you will pick them up. This allows us to have them ready in the main office when you arrive.

If possible, please administer medication before your student arrives or after they return home. If a dose is required during the school day, bring the medication to the main office with written instructions including the student’s name, dosage, and time of administration. Our athletic trainers, Mr. Danny McDonald and Ms. Evelyn Tandy, oversee medical needs during summer programs and will handle medication distribution.

Students may bring a phone to school, but it must remain silenced and stored in their backpacks unless a teacher allows its use for a classroom activity. Laptops and tablets can be brought at the teacher’s discretion. Please note that Saint Xavier is not responsible for lost, missing, or damaged electronic devices.

No worries! Just email enoe@saintx.com or aglaser@saintx.com to report the absence.