How Wisconsin’s Challenge Academy Is Changing Lives

A Second Chance That Starts with Structure

At Fort McCoy in central Wisconsin, something quietly powerful is happening. For more than two decades, the Wisconsin National Guard Challenge Academy has been helping young people who have fallen behind in traditional school settings reset their direction and rediscover what they are capable of becoming.

Founded in 1998, the Academy was created with a clear mission: to offer cadets the opportunity to develop the strength of character and life skills necessary to become successful, responsible citizens. It is not a shortcut and it is not easy. It is intentional, disciplined, and designed to meet young people where they are, while holding them to a higher standard of what they can achieve.

More Than an Alternative Classroom

The Challenge Academy is part of the National Guard Youth Challenge Program, a nationwide effort that focuses on leading, training, and mentoring 16- to 18-year-olds who need a different approach than what traditional schools can offer. At Fort McCoy, that approach blends education, structure, accountability, and mentorship into a 22-week residential experience that is both demanding and deeply supportive.

This is a program for students who are behind on high school credits, struggling to stay engaged, or in need of a fresh start. What they find instead is a community built on routine, teamwork, and the expectation that effort matters.

The Reset: Pre-Challenge

Everything begins with the Pre-Challenge Phase, the first two weeks that serve as an acclimation period. Candidates are introduced to the physical, mental, and social discipline required to succeed in the program. Days are filled with teamwork exercises, leadership and followership training, close-order drill, physical fitness, and a clearly defined code of conduct.

Candidates give up personal items, receive haircuts, and trade everyday clothes for uniforms. The symbolism matters. Everyone starts on equal footing. During this time, staff assess each candidate’s readiness for the program ahead while candidates begin learning how to replace negative habits with healthy routines and personal accountability.

At the end of Pre-Challenge, those who demonstrate commitment and motivation are selected to move forward as cadets. Historically, most who reach this point go on to complete the program.

Building Momentum During the Residential Phase

The Residential Phase, which spans 22 weeks including Pre-Challenge, is where real transformation takes place. Cadets follow a structured, disciplined schedule that focuses on developing academic skills, emotional maturity, social responsibility, and the fundamentals of adult life.

This phase is grounded in the program’s Eight Core Components, which guide everything from education and leadership to health, wellness, and civic responsibility. Cadets are challenged daily, but they are also supported, encouraged, and reminded that progress is built one disciplined choice at a time.

Midway through the Residential Phase, each cadet is matched with a mentor. These mentors are not symbolic. They form real relationships with cadets, helping them prepare for life beyond the Academy and offering stability and guidance as graduation approaches.

Graduation Is Not the Finish Line

After graduation, the work continues. The Post-Residential Phase lasts up to one year and begins when cadets return to their communities. Graduates are expected to return to high school, pursue higher education, find a job, join the military, or volunteer at least 25 hours per week.

Mentors remain involved throughout this year, helping graduates transition from a highly structured environment to self-management and personal responsibility. Together, they implement a Post-Residential Action Plan to ensure the gains made during the program are not lost once real life resumes.

A Graduation That Meant Something

This past weekend, Wisconsin State Senator Patrick Testin joined legislative colleagues at Fort McCoy to attend the graduation ceremony for the 55th class of the Wisconsin National Guard Challenge Academy, located in Wisconsin’s 24th Senate District.

Reflecting on the moment, Testin shared his appreciation for what the cadets had accomplished over the last several months. He acknowledged the hard work they put in and wished them well in their future endeavors, noting his confidence that they will go on to accomplish many great things.

It was not just a ceremony. It was a visible reminder of what happens when young people are given structure, expectations, and someone who believes they can do better.

Looking Ahead to the Next Class

For families and students who may be searching for a new beginning, the opportunity is not far off. The next class of the Wisconsin National Guard Challenge Academy begins January 14, 2026, offering another group of young people the chance to reset their path and invest in a more stable, productive future.

In a national conversation often focused on what is not working for at-risk youth, the Challenge Academy offers a quieter answer. Discipline matters. Mentorship matters. And when young people are challenged to rise, many of them do.