I am the proud mother of a Challenge Academy graduate and would like to say that this was such a blessing for us! To think that we received this opportunity for my son to participate in this life-changing program that has opened so many choices for him that he never would have had before he attended CA... well, it leaves me with tears in my eyes, and my heart full of gratitude!
The staff at Wisconsin CA are so knowledgeable and have great experience in dealing with kids that really need their help. Not only do they guide the kids (Cadets), both males and females, while they are there for the 5 month residential phase, but they offer families seminars with a vast amount of helpful suggestions made available to help the transition when the Cadets return home again.
Each Cadet is has a mentor who visits them at CA and follows up with the Cadet for the 12 month post-residential phase.
If you want more info, please call or look at their website listed above. This is a non-profit organization where all of the "profit" goes to the youth attending there!

I am a social worker in a neighboring county and have worked closely with the Challenge Academy for the last 10 years. I have helped 14 kids apply and attend the Academy, 12 have graduated in the last six years. I cannot emphasize enough how amazing this program is for at risk teens. The teens I have worked with have anger issues, drug and alcohol issues, trouble with authority, motivation, have been involved in the legal system, been habitual truant, or have completely dropped out of school. The program runs twice per year, and lasts 5 1/2 months. During the time at Challenge the Cadets work on the 8 core components: Academics, Job Skills, Physical Fitness, Health/Nutrition, Life Skills, Character Development, Leadership, and Service to Community. The Academy graduates on average 100 teens per session. 87% of Challenge students earn their HSED during the program or immediatly after. 70% of students who complete the program of either enrolled in a Tech school, employed full time or have entered the military after graduation.
I encourage parents, teens, school teachers, or ANYONE who knows a teen in need of structure, discipline, and a high school education to contact Challenge Academy Admissions to get further information. The website for Wisconsin National Guard Challenge Academy: www.challengeacademy.org. The phone number for the admissions department is 608-269-4605. Applications are being taken now for class 24 that starts January 14th, 2010.

Thank You.