Commonwealth Challenge Youth Academy Class 42 SCA

Why Some Students Need Our Help

One of the major social challenges facing the nation today is the increase in teenagers leaving high school before graduation.  Every day, more than 5,000 students drop out of high school in this country – that amounts to more than one million dropouts every year.

In April 2006, in a Time Magazine special report cover story, the editors deemed America a “DROUPOUT NATION,” stating that 30 percent of high school students will leave school without graduating.

How it Starts

The problem often begins when students begin falling behind in their grades; they begin to miss classes. They become overwhelmed with their studies. Eventually, their poor decisions, and a host of other circumstances, put them in such a difficult place that they drop out. In their view, that decision seems to be their only solution.

But, according to a report, “The School Dropout Crisis,” published by the Learning to Finish™ Campaign—a national initiative of the Pew Partnership for Civic Change—74% of dropouts state if they had the chance to go back and make the decision over, they would stay in school.

Our Solution

In 1993, the National Guard recognized the crisis and had already begun to take action to address this critical issue. The National Guard recognized that some students needed a much more structured and supportive environment than what was being offered at most of the alternative education programs.

This realization led the National Guard to establish the Youth ChalleNGe Program to give youth the opportunity to turn their lives around.  Currently there are 39 ChalleNGe Programs in 29 states, including Puerto Rico.  The Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy enrolled the first class in 1994.  Since that time, more than 5,000 students have graduated from Virginia’s program.

How the Virginia Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy can help:

• We provide an opportunity to earn up to 7 credits to apply toward a high school diploma in only 5-1/2 months using the Virginia Department of Education approved Edgenuity Credit Recovery Program, or a chance to earn a GED.
• We provide 22 weeks of FREE tuition, books, lodging, meals, and uniforms.  Teens do not have to demonstrate financial need.
• On campus living provides a safe haven for our cadets to learn, be creative and focus on themselves.
• Our quasi-military structure encourages teamwork, and both personal and professional development.
• We require that every graduate stay connected to us for two full years after the 22-week residential phase. The purpose of this is to use our career advisor service to assist with staying on track and achieving intended goals of maintaining employment and/or continuing education.
• Our physical fitness program helps to develop healthy bodies and healthy minds.
• Our team building activities promote unit pride and help build self-esteem.
• Service to Community and educational field trips provide the cadets with cultural awareness.