Youth Leadership Academy

About The Youth Leadership Academy

Open to all high school students, this one-of-a-kind program provides students with the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning opportunities to develop both personal and professional leadership development skills.

This program is designed to motivate and inspire the next generation of San Joaquin County leaders - young adults who are thoughtful, ethical, service-oriented, and ready to make a positive impact on our community. This program is operated by the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office, in coordination with the Superior Court, Public Defender's Office, and San Joaquin County Bar Association.

The 2024 Summer Program has now been completed. If you weren't a part of it this year, there's always 2025!

Please enjoy the video compilation of the Class of 2024 below.

Youth Leadership Academy 2024 Participation Application

Download (PDF, 743 KB)

FAQ

What are the dates of the program?

This year the Youth Leadership Academy will be held June 10-June 28, 2024
What is the schedule?

Classes are held from 8:30 AM - Noon each day.
What does the program entail?

In-person classroom instruction by justice system professionals, including criminal law and procedure, alcohol and traffic laws, career assessment tools, substance abuse, teen dating violence, domestic violence, child support laws, gangs, cyber-bullying and social media, the long term importance of education and other relevant topics.
Who participates in the program?

Last year, we had 40+ students from 19+ area high schools which included Lincoln, Linden, Lodi, Manteca, Stockton, and Tracy Unified School Districts, St. Mary’s High School and a student from Mountain House. This program is inclusive of all students, and is not limited by GPA performance. The program is open to ALL high school students in San Joaquin County. All students, regardless of their academic background or career goals will learn and be inspired by the content of the program.
Is this program fun?

Students not only attended every day, they did not want the program to conclude. Many of them have stayed in close contact with us even to this day!
How will I get there?

You can either be dropped off at 222 E. Weber Avenue (blue building right next to the new Courthouse), or bus passes will be made available if needed.
How many students can participate?

This year's class will tentatively be limited to 50 students.
What is the application process?

The application above may be printed and submitted via email or regular mail (email is preferred). Send it to YLA@sjcda.org
Who should I contact if I have any questions?

Please email YLA@sjcda.org.
Additional Resources for Youth, Parents, and Schools

To invite members of our office to make a presentation to your class or community group, please check out our Speaker's Bureau page.