Research indicates that individualized academic assistance and peer modeling are two of the most important methods of increasing students' self-efficacy and achievement. At least one hour is devoted to individualized homework help and tutoring each day during the after-school program. During this time, the high school mentors work with small groups of students to help them complete and understand their homework, study for tests, and improve their academic performance.   Students are assessed on their reading comprehension/fluency and math skills and given appropriate activities to strengthen areas of weakness and up leveling their strengths.

During nutrition, students help prepare healthy snacks to eat and drink. They also participate in activities to help them understand the consequences of good nutritional habits versus bad ones. These activities are meant to inform and to motivate thoughtful choices about the students' own nutrition and dietary habits.

Silent Reading provides students with the time and opportunity to do relaxed, voluntary reading each day. Books can be brought from home or checked out from the center library. Sustained silent reading programs help students develop a lifelong love of reading. Extensive reading of literature benefits students by increasing their reading pace, enhancing their reading comprehension, and building their vocabulary.

At Zeitgeist, the practice of yoga is combined with an active, playful, and scientific exploration of the body, mind, and self. Yoga enhances focus, concentration, self-esteem, learning readiness, stress reduction, behavioral skills, physical health, and emotional stability in children. Yoga Angels Founder and teacher,  Subhadra Griffiths, personally trained and shadowed Program Director Robin Diakhate’ so that she can provide the unique benefits of regular yoga practice to the students at Zeitgeist.

Community Circle is an opportunity for students to engage in discussions that involve critical issues in the world, the local community, and their lives. Both the students and the staff at the center suggest the topics that are discussed. Community Circle discussions promote character development, self-confidence, and critical thinking skills. By participating in these discussions, students are encouraged to share their thoughts and ideas while also learning to respect and listen to the ideas of others. In October 2004, Romero Ross, a mentor who attends Palisades High School , initiated a discussion about community violence in response to the tragic shooting of a local fourteen year-old boy. The discussion led to a peaceful activism project that was followed by The Los Angeles Times.

Students at Zeitgeist participate in fieldtrips that are both educational and fun. In the fall of 2004, Dreamworks arranged for Zeitgeist students and families to attend an advanced screening of The Polar Express. Outings for 2005 include an advanced screening of Robots (sponsored by the Dartmouth Club of Southern California), as well as fieldtrips to Malibu Lagoon, the Children's Nature Festival, and the Long Beach Aquarium (all sponsored by Santa Maria Trails & Parks). When possible, parents and siblings are invited to come along on these special occasions.

Law 101 (February '08)  

Law 101 educates student on the basics of due process, jury trials, contracts, fairness & equal treatment and the Bill of Rights.  Students will participate in mock trials and discuss appropriate current cases. 

Science Experiments (2005 - 2007)

Nicole Nakashima, a Teacher Education and Biology graduate from USC, was a volunteer who designs and supervises weekly, hands-on science experiments with the students at Zeitgeist. The experiments, which covered topics such as static electricity, astronomy, and genetics, inspire students' appreciation and understanding of science. Professors from the University of Southern California guest lectured as part of this series. In the summer of 2007, students participated in hands-on lab experiments at USC with Michael W. Quick, Ph.D, Professor of Biological Sciences and College Dean of Research.  

Educational Bees  

Students participate in fun group and individual bees focusing on spelling, math, world geography, Presidents,  and US states and capitals.  

Saturday Math Program  

Two to three Saturdays a month students, with or without challenges, get to spend more quality time strengthening their math skills with volunteer Yun Wang, Ph.D, Applied Mathematics.  Students learn to think critically about how to arrive to the correct answer.

Peaceful Solutions (Fall 2004-2005)

Taught students about personal responsibility and peaceful leadership by focusing on the teachings of Martin Luther King, Gandhi, Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela, Caesar Chavez and other peacemakers.

Youth Documentary Workshop (Spring 2005)

The Youth Documentary Workshop is a 10-week course that is designed to build students' media analysis, digital video production, and social activism skills. Through this workshop, high school students identified and explored critical issues in the local community through the production of short documentaries on related topics.

Bridge Project (Summer 2004)

This interdisciplinary project reinforced important math skills while encouraging teamwork through various collaborative exercises in measurement, design, and accounting. Furthermore, it engaged students in a meaningful project that exposed them to career options in fields such as engineering, accounting, construction, and architecture.