Academy for struggling teens now accepting applications

A no-cost alternative program for "at-risk" youth, the Wisconsin Challenge Academy is now accepting applications for its next class of cadets entering on Jan. 13, 2011. Located at Fort McCoy, Wis., the Academy offers teens that are at risk of not graduating a chance to earn their High School Equivalency Diploma, learn essential job and life-coping skills and, most importantly, develop the strength of character to become responsible citizens.

To qualify for this program, which is no cost to families, applicants must be at least 16 years and nine months old but not yet 19, have dropped out of school, been expelled, or become at least a year behind in credits. Candidates must not have been convicted of a felony and cannot be on adult parole or probation at time of entry.

"Before the Challenge Academy, I was the kid with no future," said Cadet Brett Hrdlicka, a current Challenge Academy participant. "Now I have a future in the making. If I wasn't attending the Academy, I would still be going down the wrong road instead of the right."

For someone who has the desire to get his or her life back on the right path, the Challenge Academy may be a step in the right direction. Call the Admissions Department toll free at (866) 968-8422 or (608) 269- 4605 for an application, or visit the Challenge Academy's website at http://www.challengeacademy.org/.