About
Discovery ChalleNGe Academy (Discovery Youth ChalleNGe Program) is a free 22-week residential, quasi-military style alternative education program supported by the National Guard with no military obligation. Cadets take part in workshops and skills training in areas like coping strategies, job searching, health and hygiene, responsible citizenship, leadership, substance abuse, anger management, stress management, team building skills, budgeting, and career readiness, along with goal planning workshops, learning how to complete a written resume and employment applications, and learning how to conduct themselves during an interview. The program also includes smoking cessation, nutrition, sexual responsibility classes, volunteering with community projects and agencies such as the American Cancer Society, Special Olympics, and the Emergency Food Bank, participation in Color Guard and Drill and Ceremonies Corps, military style PT, running, organized sports, field trips to local sporting events, and presentations and field trips arranged through the National Guard.
• Ages: 16–18 years old
• Schedule: Students attend classes Monday through Friday, except for holidays, in a 22-week residential program with an initial two-week Acclimation Phase followed by a 20-week Challenge Phase, with two sessions each year beginning in January and July.
• Price: The program is offered free of charge as a 22-week residential, quasi-military style program, and the cost of attendance surpasses $22,000 per Cadet.
The Discovery Youth ChalleNGe Program is part of the California National Guard and the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program (NGYCP), which consists of 40 sites in 27 states and Puerto Rico, and is operated in partnership with the San Joaquin County Office of Education as a community high school. Cadets can earn 65 high school credits during the 22-week residential Challenge Phase to complete their diploma or get back on track for graduation, with additional credits available through pre-approved extracurricular activities, and they must serve at least 40 hours of community service during the academy and can compete for scholarships. Students rotate between six academic core classes throughout the day, and students with special needs and varied learning abilities have access to resources and trained educators on campus, with behavioral counselors on staff.
Eligibility requirements include being age 16 and not turning 19 before the start of the program, being legal residents of the United States and the State of California (including DACA students), being at risk of dropping out or credit deficient, being free of felony convictions, and being residents of Northern California, and participation is voluntary, meaning no parent, judge, probation officer, or school administrator can order a teen to attend. The program includes cessation of smoking and addiction programs, a 52-week Post-Residential Program giving Cadets access to an adult mentor after completing the 22-week program, and mentoring for 24 months after successful completion to monitor and ensure they continue positive habits. After completing the online application, applicants must download and complete the Sports Physical and Medical Power of Attorney and either upload these documents to the application or bring them to the interview.
Last updated March 2, 2026.
• Ages: 16–18 years old
• Schedule: Students attend classes Monday through Friday, except for holidays, in a 22-week residential program with an initial two-week Acclimation Phase followed by a 20-week Challenge Phase, with two sessions each year beginning in January and July.
• Price: The program is offered free of charge as a 22-week residential, quasi-military style program, and the cost of attendance surpasses $22,000 per Cadet.
The Discovery Youth ChalleNGe Program is part of the California National Guard and the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program (NGYCP), which consists of 40 sites in 27 states and Puerto Rico, and is operated in partnership with the San Joaquin County Office of Education as a community high school. Cadets can earn 65 high school credits during the 22-week residential Challenge Phase to complete their diploma or get back on track for graduation, with additional credits available through pre-approved extracurricular activities, and they must serve at least 40 hours of community service during the academy and can compete for scholarships. Students rotate between six academic core classes throughout the day, and students with special needs and varied learning abilities have access to resources and trained educators on campus, with behavioral counselors on staff.
Eligibility requirements include being age 16 and not turning 19 before the start of the program, being legal residents of the United States and the State of California (including DACA students), being at risk of dropping out or credit deficient, being free of felony convictions, and being residents of Northern California, and participation is voluntary, meaning no parent, judge, probation officer, or school administrator can order a teen to attend. The program includes cessation of smoking and addiction programs, a 52-week Post-Residential Program giving Cadets access to an adult mentor after completing the 22-week program, and mentoring for 24 months after successful completion to monitor and ensure they continue positive habits. After completing the online application, applicants must download and complete the Sports Physical and Medical Power of Attorney and either upload these documents to the application or bring them to the interview.
Last updated March 2, 2026.
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