Our Approach
At Abot Tala, learning is organized into blocks, each running for eight weeks. Between blocks, we take a two-week break to give both members and mentors space to rest and recharge.
Before each block ends, members help shape what the next will look like. They suggest and vote on the kinds of classes they want to take—whether that’s a rerun of previous classes or something completely new. From there, we connect with mentors in our network who can teach those classes and share their experience.
Classes are held online and typically run for one hour, with members building their own schedules by choosing what classes excite them. To balance this, we also hold in-person meetups about three times each block, giving learners the chance to build friendships, collaborate on projects, and learn together in new settings.
Alongside classes, every member works one-on-one with a holistic mentor, joins community meetups, and applies their learning through projects, clubs, and real-world opportunities.
Learn more about our programs and what to expect in a block below!
Programs
Abot Tala Junior
A playful start to learning with curiosity and confidence
For ages 7-11.
A playful, curiosity-driven program for kids that blends online sessions, one-on-one mentoring, and in-person meet-ups. Each block is designed to spark their interests, build confidence, and strengthen social skills, all while giving them the freedom to explore, share, and learn in ways that feel natural and fun.
Abot Tala High
A supportive space to explore passions and build independence
For ages 12-16.
Abot Tala High is our flagship program and specifically designed for non-traditional learners. Our goal is for teens to get to know themselves and what makes them come alive, all within a supportive and encouraging community. All of our classes and activities encourage personalized and collaborative learning.
We encourage exploration and curiosity, so there are classes that are unique and can’t be found anywhere else. We adapt to the changing needs of our community, so members can expect a lot of variety and surprises from block to block.
Abot Tala Launchpad
A Practical, Purpose-Driven Approach to Launching Your Career
For ages 17-22.
Whatever career path you choose, there are certain skills that you’ll need in order to navigate the changes and challenges that the future brings. We want to help our members develop those skills. The Launchpad program aims to support young people as they develop future-proof skills, connect them to a thriving network of professionals, and take-on real-life passion projects.
Launchpad Exclusives
College & Work Prep
Classes and mentors to help you prepare for college entrance exams, job interviews, or create your resume.
Business & Portfolio Mentoring
Get personalized guidance to build a professional portfolio or launch your business ideas with the help of industry mentors.
Internship Opportunities
Gain hands-on experience with internships that match your career interests and passions.
What to Expect
Slack—Our Virtual Center
Slack serves as the main hub for communication. This is where announcements are made, and where class channels are organized. Here members can connect, ask questions, and share resources in real-time.
Community Huddles
A chance for the entire community to connect and share what they've been up to online! This is also where the community discusses events, field trips, and details about the next block.
Class Format
Our classes are either live online (synchronous) or self-paced (asynchronous), and are held on Zoom, Google Meet, Gather Town, or Slack. Each class typically lasts one hour.
Industry Professionals
Classes are taught by experts within our network, coming from fields such as business, entrepreneurship, arts, music, science, and more.
Holistic Mentoring
Each member is paired with a mentor for guidance throughout the block, helping them set goals, reflect on progress, and grow personally and academically.
Community Clubs & Activities
Our blocks include virtual and in-person meetups where members can do club activities, collaborate on their personal interests and projects, or simply play games together! Members also get to join our Official Gather Town Virtual HQ.
This is a preview of our center on Gather. Clubs and mentors have their own hubs and teens have a wide array of choices for meeting and hang-out places within our virtual center.
In-person Block Activities
SDL Meetups
Standing for "Spontaneous, Deliberate, and Liberated", SDL Meetups are in-person hangout sessions hosted three times per block where members can socialize, have fun, and work on projects together.
Field Trips
Blocks also include engaging field trips that either complement certain class topics, or offer a fun way for our teens to wrap up the block.
Community Events
From holiday parties to prom to full on music gigs, these events give our members a chance to showcase and celebrate personal or collaborative achievements within the community.
Plan your abot tala year!
Here's our block calendar for 2025
Creative Pathways
Real-World Application
Abot Tala Productions
Training ground for teens interested in all aspects of production: pre-production, production proper, and post-production.
You can check out our work on the Abot Tala YouTube channel and TikTok account!
Abot Tala Radio
Our homegrown streaming radio station! Every Thursday from 4 PM onwards AT Radio goes live. We’ve got original and cover songs, interviews, and podcasts featuring teens and mentors from the community. Our station manager is Gabe Gabriel, an experienced radio DJ, and guest mentor. His wife Diane Gabriel, our staff member, helps him run the station.
