FAQs

In 1993, Congress created the National Guard Youth Challenge Program, a civilian youth opportunities program, and authorized the Secretary of Defense to use the National Guard Bureau to conduct the program for at risk youth. (32 U.S. C. § 509) The Wisconsin Challenge Academy is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs. (Wis. Stat. §321.02(1(c))) The Challenge Academy, located on Fort McCoy, offers youth the opportunity to change the direction of their lives and develop the strength of character and life skills necessary to become successful, responsible citizens. The Program consists of a 5 ½ month-long Residential phase, followed by a year-long Post-Residential phase.

At-risk youth, ages 16 years 9 months but not yet 19, can volunteer to attend the Challenge Academy. The youth must be: One or more years behind in high school credits, or expelled or dropped out; A citizen or legal resident of the United States and a resident of Wisconsin; Not currently on parole or probation for anything other than juvenile status offenses; Not charged or convicted of a felony; Drug free; A volunteer.

There is no cost from the families to attend the Challenge Academy. The cost of the program is covered by State and Federal dollars. The families are required to provide a small list of personal items for the Cadet (t-shirts, socks, underwear, etc.)

The Challenge Academy holds two class cycles per year. Mid-January through mid-June and mid-July through mid December.

The curriculum, developed by the National Guard Bureau, is based on the experiential learning model and is comprised of eight core components: Academic Excellence; Physical Training; Job Skills; Service to Community; Health and Hygiene; Responsible Citizenship; Leadership/Followership; and Life Coping Skills. Character Development is integrated and emphasized throughout the curriculum. Cadets invest much of their time in developing a goal and task oriented plans for their futures (Post-Residential Action Plan or P-RAP).

Students at the Challenge Academy remain enrolled in their own school districts of residence. Cadets selected to attend the Challenge Academy are considered enrolled in the school district of residence for purposes of district equalization aid eligibility, special education responsibility, and revenue limit authority. (Wis. Stat. §321.02(1(c)) (Wis. Stat. §121.05(1)(a)13.) School districts still receive aid for students while the student is at the Challenge Academy. (Wis. Stat. §121.095)

The program is 75% federally funded and 25% state funded. The federal funding is through the Department of Defense.The state funding is through the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

By May of each year, the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs calculates the average cost per Cadet based on the actual costs and reports that to the DPI. The DPI reduces the June equalization aid payment to school districts that have Cadets at the Challenge Academy by the cost per Cadet, or by the district’s revenue limit per member, whichever is less. (Wis. Stat. §121.095) The cost per Cadet averages about $4,800 so the reduction in the equalization aid payment to the school districts is about $4,800 per Cadet. The school district keeps the rest of the equalization aid payment.

The program, as established by Congress and administered by the National Guard and the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs, requires that students (future Cadets) volunteer for the program. Students cannot be “sent” by a school district through an IEP or other plan, or court ordered. Schools can refer students who they believe would benefit from the program.

Cadets are volunteers and may withdraw from the program. Cadets may also be released from the program for behavioral or medical reasons. Cadets who leave the program early receive an academic report detailing accomplishments at the Academy. This report is also sent to the school district of record.

Cadets who successfully complete the GED exams and complete health, civics, career awareness, and employability skills graduate with a High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED). Historically, 87% of the cadets earn the HSED. The Challenge Academy has a waiver with DPI allowing Cadets to test at the age of 17 and receive the HSED. The Cadets also receive the Challenge Academy Completion Certificate.

Cadets receive a Challenge Academy transcript from the Challenge Academy upon graduation. The transcript is also sent to the school district of residence.

Yes. Students have the right to return to high school to earn a high school diploma even if they have earned a High School Equivalency Diploma. Many Cadets return to high school through GEDO #2.

No. All school districts can accept Cadets back into high school.

Yes. School boards can award high school diplomas. School boards can review the curriculum and award credits to students for many accomplishments: math, english, science, social studies, character development, health, civics, employability skills, career awareness, physical training, service to community projects, leadership classes, followership classes, financial literacy, and mentoring.

Once Cadets change the direction of their lives, many want to return to high school to earn a diploma and graduate with their class. Some Cadets want to join the military, and most branches require a high school diploma to enlist.

The local education agency responsible to ensure FAPE is the resident school district. The Challenge Academy works with school districts to meet the needs of the Cadets.

Formal Accommodations Apply for GED Accommodations Informal Accommodations Environmental Safe Housing Fort McCoy Fire, Rescue and Police within minutes Three Nutritious Meals Daily Based on needs of each cadet Uniforms Dress, Duty, Sleep Summer Winter 24 Hour Supervision 24 Hour Schedule with 8 hours of rest each night Regular Routine Regular sleep times On-site Medic (Registered Nurse) Counseling Staff Alcohol Free Drug Free Tobacco Free Technology Free (with supervised exceptions) Physical Training based on ability Small Academic Classes Average 18 cadets in each academic class Behavioral Reminders and cues from staff Staff model behavior Repeat instructions Give instructions in short steps Time to regain a thinking state Allow cadets to walk away from a situation Counseling by staff Assignment of a “Battle Buddy” a peer who models good behavior and provides support Extra time to think Stress and Anger Management classes Social skills instruction Clear expectations Clear goals, task-oriented Rules and consequences well-defined Cadet Plans of Action Academics Individual/Small group instruction Varied teaching approaches Reminders to attend before giving instruction Emphasize critical information Give directions in small steps Read directions Give oral cues and prompts Make projects Map with words, pictures, phrases Extra time for assignments and tests Directed study Modified assignments Test taking strategies Test anxiety strategies Planning calendars Preferential Seating Lighting Minimize distractions Check for understanding Teach study skills Bi-weekly progress reports Calculators Calculator skills Tests and assignments read aloud Ear plugs Small study rooms Peer collaboration Request counselor assistance Peer tutoring Military Officers tutoring as available One GED Test per test day

Send the rest of the application packet in without those and immediately work on getting copies. Once you have them, submit them to your Admission’s Counselor.

State statute requires students to be 17 years old in order to begin GED testing. Our tests begin the 3rd month of the program. In order to be fair to everyone, we set the specific cut-off date.

Submit the rest of the application while you continue to search for a mentor. We always suggest you contacting your local American Legions, VFWs, Lions Club, church, school, neighbors and friends. As long as they are not family, you can ask just about anyone that will meet the eligibility requirements and most importantly, be a good role model for your son or daughter. Your Admission’s Counselor can make suggestions to help you in the search, but they are not responsible for finding you a mentor.

The application process can range from a few days to months. Application dates are taken into consideration in the acceptance process, meaning the earlier you apply, the better. As part of the application process, you will be required to attend an orientation at Fort McCoy. Actual candidate selection will not begin until approximately one to two months prior to the start of the class.

Yes, you can fax paperwork to the Admission’s Department @ 608-269-9001

Often, we do have a waiting list. Many times, applicants who have been accepted will change their minds or suddenly become ineligible. We will continue to fill those slots up to the start of the class. We may also fill any slots vacated by candidates who go home within the first 24 hours. Please remember, being placed on the waiting list requires a completed file.