Frequently Asked Questions
No. The Youth Challenge Academy on Oahu now serves all youths on all islands.
Our campus is located on the island of Oahu at Kalaeloa, Kapolei, serving the youths living on all islands in the state.
Applicants must be at least 16 and no older than 18 years of age on the start date. Applicant age is determined on the day of in-processing, (no exceptions are made for those applicants 15 and younger or 19 and older).
No – The program is funded by the State of Hawaii and the Federal Government. Although parents are not required to pay tuition for the program, some personal items may have to be purchased prior to and during the class cycle.
No – Although the Youth Challenge Academy is ‘quasi-military’ in structure, Cadets are not obligated nor are they expected to join a military service.
If a student is enrolled in our HiSET pathway they will be eligible to receive their High School Equivalency Diploma. If they do successfully complete the HiSET program a student will not need to return back to high school as they would have received a diploma and are encouraged to continue on to college. The academy assists with the college application process and even offers a limited number of earned scholarships, if the graduate so chooses.
Students may be eligible to return to their high school and complete a high school diploma under certain circumstances. Please see your individual high school counselor for clarification of this opportunity.
Cadets only need the items noted on the packing list, which is received upon acceptance into the program via email or USPS. Only the items included on the packing list should be brought to the academy. All non-packing list items will be returned to the guardian on in-processing day.
Items on this list include hygiene items, letter right materials and undergarments. Most other items required will be provided by the Youth Challenge Academy
Yes. Please see below: