You must complete the entire application and send it to Admissions as soon as possible.

Certain forms must be notarized. This can usually be done at your school, bank or credit union.

There is an application checklist that provides a brief summary of the required documents as well any additional requirements you may have with certain forms, such as notarizing them.

If you have questions, please contact admissions at 757-491-5932 Ext 231, 235, or 254.

The Commonwealth ChalleNGe will require a copy of any and all court documentation on any charges, pending charges, and convictions you may have.

The documentation must indicate if the charge or conviction is a felony or misdemeanor offense. If you have a pending felony charge or a felony conviction, you are not eligible to apply. There are no exceptions to this policy.

This is a case-by-case decision; all cadets will participate in academic growth.  We recommend that students age <17 and under plan to return back to their home school to graduate participate in credit recovery.  Students on average earn 4 credits but have the opportunity to earn more. Students must be at least 16 to participate in GED coursework and testing.

Yes, a withdrawal letter or transfer form from the school is required for admission to the ChalleNGe Youth Academy.

You may bring this completed form with you on the day of in-processing. Your child may stay enrolled in his/her current school until they transfer to the ChalleNGe Academy, there is no need to dis-enroll prior to that.

We recommend that you contact your child’s school at least a week prior to in-processing to verify any particular requirements the school may have in producing this letter or form for you.

Failure to obtain this letter or form will result in your child not being processed for the class.

No.

The Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy is strictly a voluntary program.

Your child must have a desire to attend. You can encourage your child to give it a try, but we cannot forcefully keep your child here if they don’t want to stay.

We are not a placement facility and attendance at the Academy cannot be court ordered or part of a probation contract.

A tour is not mandatory for acceptance into the Academy, but we recommend that you do try to attend one of our open houses.

You and your child are however required to attend an orientation session.

For a list of upcoming dates, times and locations, please visit the “Orientations / Open House” page. We host orientations throughout the state to make it as convenient as possible for you to attend.

You may also contact your admissions counselor to find out when the next orientation will be.

Start slowly……don’t overdo the exercise at first.

You will want to start with walking, gradually increasing your distance and speed, and then work up to a slow jog. Each week try to go a little further or increase your exercise time.

You should also start stretching and doing some sit-ups and push-ups every day. As you begin to feel stronger, try adding a few more each day. There is also information available online that can help with starting an exercise routine.

The important thing is to start slowly; don’t risk an injury by over exercising.

We have a cafeteria style dining facility. The meals are nutritional and follow the School Lunch Program to provide fully balanced meals to students.

We serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day in the dining facility. Milk and juices are offered with meals.

In addition to the meals, snacks will be provided twice a day.

There are no electronics allowed other than the school issued chrome books for academic work only.

On the class start date, the parent/guardian will submit documentation and any prescribed medication to our medical staff.

The medical staff will house all of the medications in a locked facility and will dispense them as prescribed. Parents / Guardians are responsible for all re-fills and cost.

Yes.

Cadets are authorized two passes during the residential phase of the program. The passes are factored in to the required 147 days that the cadets must be physically at ChalleNGe to graduate.

This will be worked into the Academy’s schedule. The dates of the passes will be provided to the parent/guardian on the first day of class.

The parent or guardian is required to provide transportation for cadet pick-up and return for the passes and to attend the pass meeting that is held at the time of pick up.

Only during a scheduled event.

We have one scheduled “Family Day” where the family may come and visit.

In addition, Cadets will receive two passes during the residential phase.

Emergencies will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

There is NO CHARGE!! The state and federal government provide staff salaries and all operating costs.  Please thank your local representatives!

Tuition, room and board, books, meals, and uniforms are provided at NO COST to the family.

During the final portion of the Residential Phase, there may be some OPTIONAL costs that the family may incur (yearbook, pictures, class ring, etc.), but these are strictly OPTIONAL items.

Candidates are required to bring a few personal items with them on the first day of class.

You will receive a list of these required items upon completion of one of the orientations. For the orientation dates, please visit the “Orientations / Open House” page.

You must be between the ages of 16-18 years old on the first day of class. As long as a student has not turned 19 by the start of the class, they are eligible.

The best way to support the academy is to write your local political figures (Congressperson, State Senator, or delegate) and tell them you support what Commonwealth ChalleNGe is doing.

You can also support our program by joining and staying involved with our Support Association.

Medical conditions are handled on a case-by-case basis.

Part of your application process includes getting a physical and filling out a mental health survey. Depending on our staff’s review of the documentation, we may ask for additional documentation from your private healthcare provider or therapist.

If you are able to provide additional information in advance, it would help us to better determine your medical eligibility for this program.

If you have been diagnosed with a physical or mental condition, let your admissions counselor know in advance so they can advise you on what additional documentation may be required.