OUR CURRICULUM

Career exploration and entrepreneurship are critical components of the Young Gents, Inc. Curriculum.

In many cultures, it is not unusual for young children to develop an interest in a particular career path or field of study at an early age. Typically, their interests are driven by two factors: their passion for the work and having direct access to people – who look just like them – doing the work.  

Through a series of fun and engaging self-assessment exercises, your young gent will discover and explore his interests, values, personality, and aptitudes. He will be introduced to incredible leaders from a wide array of professionals who will nurture his interest and guide him in gaining more knowledge, smarts, and invaluable know-how. Your young gent will be set up for success and well on his way towards paving his career path.

Lessons will include:

• “Know Thy Self” Career exploration exercises
• Creating business plans
• Resume writing
• Elevator Pitches
• Business Presentation Skills
• Mock Interviews
• Effective Networking

Community engagement is the process of working collaboratively with community groups to address issues that impact the well-being of others. The young gents will engage in service projects and learn – through hands-on experiences – what it means to help our neighbors in need. Topics that will be covered include:

• Volunteerism
• Philanthropy
• Foundations and Nonprofit Organizations

Your young gent will learn the latest etiquette protocols from fine dining and white glove service to business formalities and proper interactions. Learning from a curriculum tailored to the mind of a child, the Young Gents will become refined while maintaining their youthful playfulness!

Interactive Etiquette Lessons will include:

• Making a GREAT First Impression
• The Art of Conversation
• Connoisseurs of Fine Dining (American and European)
• Perfect Pitch: Introduction to Public Speaking

Financial literacy is knowing how to spend and save money. Mastering this life skill at an early age will set your young gent on a solid path of becoming a savvy financier. Not only will Young Gents, Inc. equip your young gent with the fundamentals of basic money management, they will also gain opportunities to visit international investment banks to learn about stocks, bonds, currency exchanges and exactly how money moves around the world!

Money management lessons will include:

• Budgeting
• Banking
• Healthy Credit Card Usage
• Investing
• Stewardship

Social Intelligence is the ability to successfully build relationships and navigate social environments.  

It is so very important for kiddos of color to know how to effortlessly demonstrate social intelligence – particularly the social skill of code-switching.

Code-switching is the practice of shifting languages or the way you express yourself depending on the social context or conversational setting. Your young gent will build and expand his social intelligence acumen and code-switching competencies through immersive in-class experiences as well as social outings including:

• Fine Dining Fridays at the Commerce Club
• Community Engagements with Nonprofit Organizations
• Holiday Tea at the St. Regis Hotel
• Presentations at Fortune 500 Global Corporations

Parental, Caregiver and Guardian engagement is a critical component of the Young Gents, Inc. curriculum and it is an essential element in grooming and growing our young gents towards greatness. Collectively, the Village represents all parents, caregivers and guardians of participating young gents. As a member of the Village, you are encouraged to:  

• Participate on panels for Young Gents, Inc. relevant to your subject matter expertise
• Practice fine dining protocols with your young gent during sessions and at home
• Reinforce lessons with your Young Gent on tying his neckties and bow ties, giving firm handshakes and eye contact, practicing good posture and walking with purpose
• Network with other members of the Village

Exposing children to the wonders of travel is one of the most important life lessons we can give to them.  In addition to expanding their understanding of geography and giving them opportunities to experience various forms of transportation, travel gives us all access to new cultures, languages and ways of life that may be different from our very own.

Your young gent will gain these experiences through our annual Travel Exchanges!

• 2018 New York
• 2019 Silicon Valley
• 2020 Washington DC (cancelled due to COVID-19)
• 2021 East Canton, Ohio
• 2022 Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Note: Travel costs are not included in the annual tuition.