What is the cost to attend Idaho Youth ChalleNGe Academy (IDYCA)?
The Idaho Youth ChalleNGe Academy, as part of the National Guard Youth Challenge Program, is operated through a Cooperative Agreement between the National Guard Bureau and the State of Idaho. This means that our Program is funded by Federal and State dollars, which makes tuition absolutely free to eligible youth (including room and board). The only out-of-pocket expenses for attending IDYCA are transportation to and from the Academy and the supplies listed on the Packing List.
The Federal and State investment in our youth, valuing approximately $17,000 per student, is shown to have a return of 166% in social benefits.1 The Youth ChallenNGe Program was started in 1993 as a federal-state partnership to help high school dropouts improve their education level, life skills, and employment potential. The program, which is operated by the National Guard in partnership with state and local education agencies, has been extremely successful. The Idaho Youth ChalleNGe Academy welcomed its first class in January 2014.
How does the program operate?
Youth ChalleNGe is a residential program that incorporates a highly structured quasi-military format emphasizing self discipline, personal responsibility, and positive motivation. Students, who are referred to as Cadets while at the Academy, must meet military grooming standards, wear military type uniforms, and observe standard military customs and courtesies. Each class involves a 3-phase program that begins with a two-week Acclimation Phase, where the goal is to identify those students that have the desire and discipline to complete the program. Students who successfully complete the Acclimation Phase, enter the 20-week Residential Phase, where the emphasis is on the “Eight Core Component” curriculum. Cadets must show improvement in each component.
Eight Core Components:
- Academic Excellence
- Leadership and Followership
- Life Coping Skills
- Job Skills
- Service to the Community
- Responsible Citizenship
- Health and Hygiene
- Physical Fitness
After completing the Residential Phase, students begin a 52-week Post-Residential Phase, where each student works with an adult role model in a one-on-one mentoring relationship. The adult mentor provides the student advice, guidance, and support to help him/her continue the positive successes and direction achieved during the Residential Phase.
It is also important to understand what the IDYCA is NOT. The IDYCA is not designed or intended to be a military academy; there is no military obligation or expectation for the students. Further, the IDYCA is not a juvenile detention center; it is not a drug or alcohol treatment center; it is not a professional child care service; and it is not a hospital, medical, or dental clinic. The Idaho Youth ChalleNGe Academy is an approved institution, with credentialed teaching staff and trained professional support staff, supporting the educational goals and priorities of the Governor and the citizens of the State of Idaho.
What is the focus of the Academic Excellence component at IDYCA?
The academic focus at the Idaho Youth ChalleNGe Academy is three-fold:
- To increase students’ math and reading skills, as measured by the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE).
- To provide the skills and knowledge for students to retrieve up to 15 high school credits. As IDYCA is an accredited high school, a student within 15 credits of the state’s graduation requirement may be able to receive a high school diploma from IDYCA.
- For some participants, to prepare them to test for the General Education Development (GED) credential.
During the Residential Phase, students may earn up to 15 high school credits in social studies, science, math, English, health/fitness, economics, physical education, humanities, speech, and career exploration. The Idaho Youth ChalleNGe Academy contracts with Joint School District #171 to provide these approved academic courses. Academic credits are issued at the end of the session when the Cadet graduates from the program. There is no award of partial credit if the student withdraws from the program prior to completion of the Residential Phase. Credits earned are transcripted at the student’s next school or advanced education institution.
Who is eligible to attend the IDYCA?
The program is voluntary, and students from all over the State of Idaho are eligible to apply and compete for admission. Students must be a high school dropout or at risk of dropping out due to credit deficiency or other risk factors; age 15-½ to 18 years old* upon entry; unemployed or underemployed; a US citizen or permanent legal resident, and resident of the State of Idaho; never convicted of a felony and have no legal action pending; free of illegal drugs at time of enrollment; and physically and mentally able to complete the program. There is no tuition cost to attend the IDYCA.
*15-½ to 18 year old age requirement clarified:
- 15-½ year old applicants must turn 16 years old by the published graduation date.
- 18 year old applicants may turn 19 years old after completion of the Acclimation Phase.
What is the basic curriculum?
There are eight core elements to the IDYCA curriculum: Academic Excellence, Leadership and Followership, Life Coping Skills, Job Skills, Service to the Community, Responsible Citizenship, Health and Hygiene, and Physical Fitness. The Joint School District #171 is providing the credentialed academic staff (one principal and eight teachers) to teach the core academic subjects. The other non-academic subjects will be taught by the Academy staff, with occasional guest instructors from the Army and Air Guard, state and local government agencies, the business community, and the labor sector. Students who successfully complete the full 22-week Residential Phase of the program can earn 15 or more credits towards their high school diplomas.
What is the staff composition?
The Academy staff are state employees of the Idaho Military Division, plus a principal and seven certified teachers, under contract from the Joint School District #171. The staff is trained to work with at-risk youth in a residential setting and employs a “hands-off” approach that is tough and disciplined, yet caring and respectful.
Requesting Re-entry?
IDYCA can only be attended one cycle, unless the Candidate/Cadet was excused for medical purposes, and the medical issues have been resolved and can be confirmed by a medical professional. Youth that were terminated for other reasons may request re-admission through our Commandant. In order to do so, you must provide a current complete application, letters of support, and letters of reference and a detailed letter explaining the youth’s desire for reconsideration. It is important that the youth address the behaviors/reasons for dismissal, and the changes, treatment and factors that support the youth’s ability to be successful in the program.
Where do I send mail (letters, postcards and greeting cards) to encourage my Cadet?
Idaho Youth ChalleNGe Academy
Candidate’s Name, Flight Name (If known)
117 Timberline Drive
Pierce, ID 83546
How do I keep up-to-date on what’s happening at the Academy?
We encourage you to subscribe to our social media outlets (links on the top of every page of our website), the most active of which is our Facebook page. Also, visit our website’s Calendar of Events.
Where do I find pictures of my Cadet?
In addition to regular updates on our Facebook page, and other social media outlets (see top right of every page for social media links), most of our pictures are posted on our online photo gallery, SmugMug.
Where is the IDYCA located?
The Academy is located at:
117 Timberline Drive
Pierce, Idaho 83546