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ELIGIBILITY

Students must meet all eligibility requirements in order to apply.

16 - 18 YEARS OLD

Applicants must be between the ages of 15 1/2 (must turn 16 while in the program) to 18 years old to apply.

VOLUNTEER FOR OUR PROGRAM

Applicants must volunteer for our program.

This means they can not be forced by their parent/guardian, school, court, etc.

CREDIT DEFICIENT OR AT RISK OF DROPPING OUT OF SCHOOL

Examples include:

Failing Classes.
Truancy.
School issues due to lack of resources.

LEGAL RESIDENT

Applicants must be a legal resident of California.

COUNTY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must live within the counties we service:

Fresno
Inyo
Kern
Kings
Lancaster
Madera
Merced
Monterey
Palmdale
San Benito
San Luis Obispo
Santa Barbara
Santa Clara
Tulare
Ventura

NO FELONIES

Applicant must be clear of felony charges and have no pending court proceedings.

ABOUT

We are a residential quasi-military Academy and WASC Accredited Charter High School.

We offer a highly-structured environment that promotes leadership, cooperation, and academic skills, while building self-esteem, pride, and confidence.

Our cadets stay with us residentially for total of 5 1/2 months, and we keep in touch for a year after the cadet graduates.

COST

Only basic necessities will be out-of-pocket.

If accepted, the cadet earns a $22,000 scholarship that covers tuition, uniforms, food, room and board, and books.

Cadets are only responsible for buying hygiene items, grooming essentials, running shoes and other personal items. The rest is covered at no-cost to the family.

ACADEMIC

Students will earn up to 60 credits in 5 1/2 months.

That is one year's worth of high school credits in half the amount of time.

Students will also take one college course, Drivers Ed and obtain their Food Handler's Certificate.

To further prepare our Cadet's, they will also do mock job interviews, create a resume, and complete a minimum of 40 hours of community service.

MISSION

Students will become the best version of themselves.

The mission of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program is to intervene in and reclaim the lives of 16-18 year old high school dropouts. Graduates leave the program with the values, life skills, education, and self-discipline necessary to succeed as productive citizens.

At this time there are 40 ChalleNGe programs in 30 states and Puerto Rico.