Lincoln's Challenge Academy
Rantoul, IL
"Change Takes Courage"
National Guard Youth Challenge Program
Free Intervention Program for At-Risk Youth Ages 16-18
At a Glance
Established
1993
Program Type
Youth Challenge
Administered By
National Guard
State
Illinois
Accreditations
The Verdict
Illinois operates the largest single-site Youth Challenge Academy in the nation, having transformed over 16,000 at-risk youth since 1993. Located on the former Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Lincoln's Challenge Academy was one of the original 15 pilot programs selected by Congress.
With a 75% GED pass rate (compared to the state average of 53%), roughly one-third of graduates entering college, another third joining the workforce, and the remainder enlisting in the military—this free 22-week residential program delivers measurable results for young people who've dropped out of traditional education.
About
Lincoln's Challenge Academy is a youth intervention program in Illinois that utilizes a quasi-military model to provide a structured and disciplined learning environment for at-risk youth. The academy focuses on classroom instruction, community service, life skills, and physical training to help cadets succeed.
Admissions & Selectivity
Admissions Philosophy
open
Key Requirements
- Age 16-18 (must be 16 by residential phase completion, no older than 18 on first day)
- Illinois resident and U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
- High school dropout or at-risk of not graduating
- No felony convictions or pending charges
- Not on parole or probation (except juvenile status offenses or misdemeanors)
- Physically and mentally capable of full participation
- Willing to abstain from drugs, alcohol, THC/CBD, and tobacco
- Voluntary enrollment with parental consent
Location
Program Details
Eligible Ages
16-18 years old
Residential Phase
22 weeks
Mentorship Phase
12 months
Cost
FREE
Annual Enrollment
400
Gender
coed
Eligibility
State Resident
Participation
Voluntary
Barracks Life
Housing Type
dorm
Daily Schedule
The 22-week residential phase operates 24/7 with a rigorous, military-style daily structure. Cadets begin with morning physical training and cadence marching, followed by classroom instruction covering the eight core components: Academic Excellence, Life Coping Skills, Job Skills, Health and Hygiene, Responsible Citizenship, Service to Community, Leadership/Followership, and Physical Fitness. Personal time is very limited, and cadets are supervised at all times. Off-campus activities are only authorized with staff supervision.
Discipline Model
Quasi-military discipline model emphasizing structure, self-discipline, and accountability. Cadets follow a strict code of conduct with no tolerance for drugs, alcohol, or tobacco. The program uses a merit-based advancement system where cadets progress through leadership positions. Each cadet serves in a leadership role at some point during the residential phase, learning both to lead and to follow. Team-based accountability reinforces peer support and collective responsibility.
Program Outcomes
Success Metrics
34%
Post-Program Pathways
12% of graduates pursue military careers; many enlist directly into National Guard, Army, Navy, and other branches
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 based on the President's Council on Physical Fitness standards. Cadets must demonstrate improvement across all fitness categories including cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, and flexibility. Physical fitness is integrated into daily activities with morning PT sessions, drill and ceremony practice, and team-based physical challenges. All cadets complete fitness assessments at entry and throughout the program to measure improvement.
Physical Activities
Facilities
The 25-acre campus on the former Chanute Air Force Base features approximately 136,000 square feet of facilities across three main buildings constructed in 2016: an education building with modern classrooms and computer labs, a residential/administrative building with dormitory housing, and a gymnasium/logistics building. Cadets have access to athletic fields, a gymnasium, and outdoor training areas. The dormitory assigns 6-8 cadets per room organized by team, with gender-separated floors.
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.
Photo Gallery
Related Schools
Appalachian Challenge Academy
Grays Knob, KY
To intervene in and reclaim the lives of 16 - 18 year old Kentuckians and produce program graduates with the tools and skills necessary to succeed in society.
Bluegrass Challenge Academy
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The Mission of the Kentucky National Guard Bluegrass Youth Challenge Program is to intervene and reclaim the lives of at-risk youth to produce program graduates with the values, skills, education and self-discipline necessary to excel as adults.
Hoosier Youth Challenge Academy
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Indiana's Hoosier Youth Challenge Academy offers military-based training to unemployed/underemployed, crime-free and drug-free high-school dropouts 16-18 years of age. The academy trains and mentors these youth to develop the values, skills, education and self-discipline to become successful young adults.
Wisconsin Challenge Academy
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The Wisconsin National Guard Challenge Academy is a 22-week residential program at Fort McCoy that helps at-risk youth ages 16-18 earn their High School Equivalency Diploma while developing leadership, discipline, and life skills through a quasi-military environment. Since 1998, the program has offered Wisconsin teens a second chance at education with an 87% HSED completion rate.
Alaska Military Youth Academy
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The Alaska Military Youth Academy is a National Guard Youth Challenge Program that helps at-risk youth develop self-confidence, discipline, leadership skills, and life-coping skills.
Battle Born Youth Challenge Academy
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The mission of the Battle Born Youth Challenge Academy is to reclaim the potential of qualified and resilient youth through education, training, and service to the community.
Guides & Resources
Chicago's Public Military Academies: The Nation's Largest Free Network
Chicago Public Schools operates six tuition-free military high schools—the largest public military academy system in America. How to apply and what to expect.
National Guard Youth Challenge Academies: What to Expect
A parent's guide to Youth Challenge programs—free residential programs for at-risk teens ages 16-18 run by the National Guard.
Free Military Schools: Your Complete Guide to No-Tuition Options
Yes, free military schools exist. Public academies, charter schools, service academies, and Youth Challenge programs offer tuition-free military education—each with different requirements and trade-offs.
Military School vs. Therapeutic Boarding: Knowing the Difference
A critical guide for parents of struggling teens. We clarify the stark difference between the discipline-based structure of a military school and the clinical intervention of a therapeutic program.
New York's Excelsior Scholarship: A Free Path to SUNY Maritime
How New York families can attend SUNY Maritime Academy tuition-free through the Excelsior Scholarship—a maritime military education at zero tuition cost.
Enrollment Logistics: From Interview to Move-In Day
The complete practical guide to military school enrollment. From acing the admissions interview to packing the right items to navigating mid-year starts—every logistical detail covered.