Literacy Initiatives
Building Confident Leaders
Through stronger literacy
About VLA
What Literacy Means at VLA?
At VLA, literacy goes beyond reading and writing. We help students grow in three key areas that shape effective leadership:
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Language Literacy — communicating with clarity and confidence
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Financial Literacy — understanding money before it becomes a barrier
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Legal Literacy (Launching 2026) — empowering youth to understand their rights, responsibilities, and how to successfully navigate real-world situations and make informed real-world decisions.
These keys become lifelong tools that open doors to opportunity and independence.
Initiatives
LITERACY INITIATIVES
Language Literacy —
Word of the Day
Through our Word of the Day initiative, students grow as clear, confident communicators. Each word is introduced during SLI and reinforced throughout the year to strengthen self-expression, leadership language, and emotional intelligence.
A single new word becomes a small but powerful key that shapes how a young leader sees themselves and speaks to the world.
Financial Literacy
Don’t Get Played
Financial readiness begins early. In VLA, students learn the basics of earning, budgeting, saving, spending wisely, and understanding common financial terms—skills introduced during SLI and expanded through our year-round programming.
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As part of SLI, students participate in our Earn & Learn Real-Life Store, where they are given a personalized financial profile based on the goals they shared—career interests, entrepreneurship aspirations, where they want to live, what they want to drive, family goals, lifestyle preferences, and more.
Students make real-world decisions using their assigned income, expenses, and financial responsibilities, helping them understand how choices today shape opportunities tomorrow.
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“Don’t Get Played: Mastering Money Before It Masters You”, available to schools, youth groups, and community partners.
Legal Literacy
Launching 2026
Our founders' careers started with practicing law and they are passionate about helping young people understand the law in a way that empowers them, not frightens them. Legal literacy at VLA teaches students what TO do, not just what not to do.
Students will learn:
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Their rights and responsibilities
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How to stay safe and make informed decisions
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How laws affect school, work, and daily life
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How to navigate real-world situations with confidence and respect​
​​This initiative will begin in SLI 2026 and continues through a brand-new After Class workshop available in the fall of 2026.
