"Self-Directed Scholar Day" is scheduled for Wednesdays and is intended for students who are currently 15 and older. The primary focus of Self-Directed Scholar Day will be the Core Colloquium class, and all students attending on Wednesday will be required to take one of the Core Colloquium classes, unless you get permission to attend only for the afternoon. If you feel that your student who will turn 15 during the school year is ready to opt in to these classes, you may request an interview by emailing us at svleadershipacademy@gmail.com
 
****Note: Tuesday classes, for ages 12 and up (including scholars 15 and up), are open for enrollment without an application. This application is for Wednesday classes ONLY, all other classes are open without an application.

In order to uphold a high standard of excellence in our Scholar program at SVLA and to help our youth grow as leaders and Statesmen, potential SVLA Scholars must complete the following requirements before they enroll for Self-Directed Scholar Day.

Requirements to attend Scholar Projects:
1) Complete this application form
2) Complete an interview with the board members assigned
3) Have a Mentor complete a Mentor Recommendation form
4) Sign a Scholar Contract (at your interview)
5) Read "A Thomas Jefferson Education" by Oliver DeMille before the first day of class. (If you previously read it in the last 2 years, you do not need to read it again.)

On the Scholar Contract you will be asked to commit to the following:
-Dress Standard
-Respectful Language
-Respect self, others and building
-Choose IN to classes -- meaning you choose to do what the mentor asks of you if you enroll into their class, including homework. Please read each class description carefully so that you know how much work outside of class will be expected of you. Me mindful to not over-schedule yourself.
-Communicate with your mentors. If you need assignments adapted to your needs, you are responsible for meeting with your mentor and discussing options. The time requirement will still apply, but a mentor may be able to work out different options for you in how you complete assignments and grow as a scholar and a leader.
-To do your work in such a way that you grow as a person through the semester and are proud of what you have accomplished. Every student's efforts and accomplishments will be different. What do YOU need to do in order to be proud of your efforts?

Vision for the Core Colloquium Classes:
Core Colloquium is designed for three main purposes: 1) unity, 2) setting a high standard of scholarship, and 3) keeping Classics and discussing the leadership principles from them at the center of our education. Students will be unified as they give and listen to presentations, see the different perspectives of the same principles, and study the same four Core Community books. Families will be united as parents attend Parent Colloquiums, their scholar’s class discussions of the Core Colloquium books, and are encouraged to discuss these books at home. These Core books will help us all of a common language and experience. Scholars will inspire each other to a high standard of scholarship as they discuss together in class, commit to doing the hard work of study required to gain a great education, and give scholarly presentations to the student body that will lift and edify one another. Each Colloquium class is designed with Classics and Leadership as the Core of it’s studies. We believe that a truly great education comes from encountering greatness through Classics, and discussing these principles with others as we strive to incorporate them into our lives.