Georgia Youth Challenge Academy - Fort Eisenhower
Fort Eisenhower, GA
"Saving one youth at a time"
National Guard Youth Challenge Program
Free Intervention Program for At-Risk Youth Ages 16-18
At a Glance
Established
2000
Program Type
Youth Challenge
Administered By
National Guard
State
Georgia
The Verdict
Fort Eisenhower Youth Challenge Academy offers Georgia youth a second chance at academic success near Augusta. Since 2000, this National Guard program has helped thousands of cadets earn their high school diplomas through a partnership with Foothills Regional High School.
The 22-week residential program starts twice yearly (April and October) and follows the same proven military-style model as Fort Stewart, with complete immersion in discipline, academics, and character development.
Campus & Cadet Life
About
Fort Eisenhower Youth Challenge Academy near Augusta, GA, is a free 22-week residential program where youth ages 16-18 earn a high school diploma. Classes start April and October.
Admissions & Selectivity
Admissions Philosophy
developmental
Key Requirements
- Age 16-18 at time of enrollment
- Georgia resident
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- High school dropout or educationally at-risk
- Drug-free (mandatory drug testing)
- Not on parole or probation (except juvenile status offenses)
- No pending court dates or felony convictions
- Physically and mentally capable of completing program
- Voluntary commitment to change
Location
Program Details
Eligible Ages
16-18 years old
Residential Phase
22 weeks
Mentorship Phase
12 months
Cost
FREE
Gender
coed
Eligibility
State Resident
Participation
Voluntary
Barracks Life
Housing Type
barracks
Daily Schedule
Cadets follow a rigorous military-style schedule similar to Army Basic Combat Training. Classes begin in April and October, running continuously for 5½ months (22 weeks residential phase). Daily activities include physical training, barracks duties, academic classes through Foothills Regional High School partnership, and structured evening activities. The program emphasizes the Eight Core Components of the National Guard Youth Challenge Program.
Discipline Model
Military-style discipline modeled after U.S. Army customs and courtesies. Cadets learn military leadership, teamwork, drill and ceremony, and chain of command structure. The structured environment emphasizes peer accountability, with cadets progressing through leadership roles. Following the 22-week residential phase, cadets must complete a 12-month post-residential phase with mentor support.
Program Outcomes
Note: Youth Challenge programs focus on GED completion, credit recovery, and life skills development—not traditional college prep metrics.
Physical Training
Physical Fitness Program
Daily physical training is mandatory for all cadets. The fitness regimen follows military standards and includes team-based PT, drill in cadence, and activities designed to build physical endurance and mental resilience.
Physical Activities
Facilities
Campus located on Fort Eisenhower (formerly Fort Gordon). Cadets utilize military-grade training facilities including barracks, drill pads, physical training areas, and academic classrooms.
Note: Youth Challenge programs emphasize physical fitness as one of the Eight Core Components, focusing on building endurance, strength, and healthy habits rather than varsity athletics.
Related Schools
Georgia Youth Challenge Academy - Fort Stewart
Fort Stewart, GA
Fort Stewart Youth Challenge Academy is Georgia's original free 22-week residential program for youth ages 16-18, with vocational training and 9,000+ graduates since 1993.
Florida Youth Challenge Academy (Closed 2026)
Starke, FL
PERMANENTLY CLOSED (June 2026). Florida Youth Challenge Academy was a free 22-week residential National Guard program at Camp Blanding near Starke, FL, for ages 16-18 who had dropped out or fallen behind. The Florida National Guard ended the program after 25 years, citing operational demands; Class 50 graduated June 9, 2026, and no further applicants are accepted.
South Carolina Youth Challenge Academy
Eastover, SC
South Carolina Youth Challenge Academy is a free National Guard residential program in Eastover for ages 16-18, offering GED preparation, mentoring, and job training.
Tarheel Challenge Academy
Salemburg, NC
Tarheel Challenge Academy in Salemburg, NC is a tuition-free 22-week residential National Guard program for ages 16-18 who have dropped out or are behind in school.
Alaska Military Youth Academy
JBER, AK
Tuition-free 22-week National Guard Youth Challenge program at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson for at-risk Alaska youth ages 16-18. Coed, residential, founded 1994.
Appalachian Challenge Academy
Grays Knob, KY
Free 22-week Kentucky National Guard Youth Challenge program in Grays Knob for at-risk 16-18-year-olds: GED completion, high school credits, and trade certifications.
Guides & Resources
Georgia Special Needs Scholarship (SB10) for Military School
Georgia's SB10 scholarship gives students with IEPs or 504 Plans ~$6,000-$15,000+ toward private tuition — including military academies. How to qualify and apply.
National Guard Youth Challenge Academies: What to Expect
Free 22-week National Guard residential programs for teens 16-18 who are behind in school. Eligibility, what to expect, and the academy in your state.
Free Military Schools: 4 Tuition-Free Options
Yes — four options charge no tuition: public military academies, charter schools, service academies, and Youth Challenge. Private boarding runs $25,500-$67,000.
Military School vs. Therapeutic Boarding School
Military schools build leaders; therapeutic programs treat crises. Compare purpose, staff, and cost — $30,000-$65,000 a year vs. $10,000-$20,000 a month.
Sports, Arts & Extracurriculars at Military Schools
Military schools offer varsity sports from football to rifle team, plus marching band, drama, robotics, and flight training toward a private pilot's license.
America's Oldest Military Schools & Academies
West Point (1802) is America's oldest military academy — see every historic U.S. military school by founding date, from Norwich (1819) to The Citadel (1842).