Students reading aloud and practicing clear verbal responses during a guided discussion.

Smithstone Academy

Our Story

Smithstone Academy was established to provide what many young men are missing: structure, standards, and the opportunity to grow into disciplined, confident leaders.

Serving boys in grades 6–8 during a formative stage of development, Smithstone was created in response to a clear and growing need: too many boys are entering adulthood without the mindset, habits, or preparation required to succeed in the workforce or contribute meaningfully to their communities.

We believe in setting the foundation early.
Work is not beneath a young man, it is where he begins.

At Smithstone, students are taught to carry themselves with professionalism, communicate with clarity, follow through on responsibilities, and take pride in doing things well. Our six-week program emphasizes discipline, workplace readiness, and exposure to real careers, laying the groundwork not only for employment, but for long-term self-reliance.

Smithstone Academy is more than a mentorship program. It is a direct response to the challenges facing young men today, built to instill confidence, accountability, and a strong personal standard. Whether a student goes on to attend college, pursue a trade, or launch his own venture, he leaves Smithstone better prepared to take initiative and earn respect wherever he goes next.

Offered entirely free of charge and open to boys of all backgrounds, Smithstone Academy is committed to one goal: developing capable, reliable young men who are ready for the world.

We do not wait for potential to be realized.
We prepare boys to rise, by training them to earn it.

Boys at Smithstone Academy participating in physical discipline and posture training during a structured mentorship session.

Our Program

At Smithstone Academy, we prepare boys in grades 6 through 8 for one of life’s most important milestones, becoming capable, confident, and ready to work.

Our training is free of charge and grounded in a core belief:
Work is not beneath a young man, it is where he begins.

Through structured mentorship and weekly instruction, students are taught how to show up on time, follow directions, speak with clarity, and carry themselves with professionalism. We don’t just talk about potential—we build reliability, communication, and discipline that translate directly to real-world opportunities.

The program includes:

Training in posture, presence, and professional behavior
Weekly public speaking and reading exercises
Instruction in workplace communication, accountability, and team dynamics
Exposure to local careers, trades, and entrepreneurs
Peer leadership, group challenges, and personal responsibility coaching

Whether a student chooses to pursue college, a trade, or self-employment later in life, he begins here, with habits and standards that employers respect and communities need.

Smithstone Academy is offered entirely free of charge to families.
All that’s required is effort, consistency, and a willingness to grow.

We don’t wait for the world to change.
We prepare young men to meet it with confidence, discipline, and pride in honest work.

Professional Presence

We begin by teaching posture, eye contact, tone, and body language. Boys learn how to make a strong first impression in interviews, public spaces, and the workplace.

Before anyone asks what you do, they judge how you show up.

Discipline & Reliability

We establish personal discipline through routines, time expectations, and respectful conduct. Students are taught that effort and dependability, not talent are the foundation of employment and trust.

You don’t get paid for potential. You get paid for being dependable.

Workplace Communication & Weekly Reading

Clear speech builds confidence and careers. We teach how to speak professionally, follow instructions, and express thoughts with clarity. Each week includes a guided reading aloud session using leadership texts, parables, or historical accounts. This practice builds reading fluency, public speaking confidence, and structured thought, key to job interviews and daily workplace interactions.

The most valuable skill in business? Clear, confident communication.

Problem Solving & Self-Reliance

Students engage in hands-on scenarios that teach how to stay calm, adapt, and complete tasks under pressure. We emphasize emotional control, independent thinking, and personal accountability.

Self-reliance begins with self-control.

Career Exposure & Ownership Thinking

A job Is the start. Learning to do for yourself is the goal. Boys are introduced to tradesmen, business owners, and skilled workers who reflect what’s possible through hard work and long-term thinking. We teach them to see entry-level work as a first step, not a final stop and to think like future professionals.

You can start with a paycheck, but you don’t have to end there.