About

The Columbia High School Law Institute (“HSLI”) is a student-run organization that serves talented and motivated high school students throughout New York City. Alongside our sister program at NYU Law School, we offer free, yearlong academic programming in Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, and Moot Court on Saturdays from 10 AM to 1 PM.

Ideal HSLI students are those who recognize the impact of the legal system, wish to learn more about how it concretely impacts society, and are preparing themselves to serve and advocate for others. While there is no expectation that our students apply to law school or pursue a legal career, we do expect that they apply themselves diligently to their studies in high school and beyond.

Courses are taught by teams of current Columbia Law School students. Teachers receive thorough training prior to class and receive ongoing support throughout the year. They are also provided with detailed curricula created by veteran HSLI instructors and board members that are scaffolded to support high school student understanding. Each lesson contains discussion questions, background information, classroom activities, and homework assignments that improve engagement and comprehension. Our classes are discussion-driven and aimed at fostering independent thought. At HSLI, students are encouraged to think well, advocate well, and work collaboratively; they are also taught to evaluate arguments based on analytical rigor and strength of evidence.

Classes Timeline

Classes are held each Saturday from 10 AM to 1 PM. The dates of the program are as follows:

• Fall Semester Dates (2023): Oct. 7, Oct. 14, Oct. 21, Oct. 28, and Nov. 4
• College Day: Nov. 11
• Spring Semester (2024): TBD
• Graduation: TBD
  
  HSLI typically holds two important events in addition to regular classes: College Day and Graduation. In November, HSLI students and their parents are invited to Columbia Law School for College Day, a family workshop to demystify the college process. Graduation is the final day of the program and has been a capstone event involving moot court competitions with law students presiding, followed by a formal ceremony with certificates, awards, and presentations.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].

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