NEW LONDON — Students not faring well in the traditional school setting are being asked to step up to a challenge.
The Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy, a “quasi-military style program for at-risk teens,” in New London (Stanly County) is accepting applications for its July 2024 class, according to Angelina Wilson, recruiter for central North Carolina.
The mission of the Tarheel Challenge Academy, according to its website, is: “To provide intervention and reclamation for 16-18 year old high school dropouts, produce program graduates with the values, life skills, education, and self-discipline necessary to succeed as productive citizens.”
The educational program, free for accepted applicants ages 16-18, includes a 5 ½-month residential program where students work on the core components of academic excellence, life-coping and job skills, leadership and followership, responsible citizenship and service to community, physical fitness and health and hygiene, the website states.
There is also a 12-month post-residential phase.
The National Guard Youth ChalleNGe opened in 1993 for its first class in Salemberg (Sampson County) and its 62nd class started in January. More than 6,000 students have graduated from the program since its inception.
The Stanly County site opened in 2015, after data from the National Center for Education Statistics showed North Carolina had a 1 in 5 dropout rate.
For more information or to refer a student, contact Wilson at 704-960-9347 or angelina.wilson@ncdps.gov, or visit https://nc-tcachallenge.org..
