WASHINGTON YOUTH ACADEMY LOCATION: BREMERTON
Amy Steinhilber
Dennis Kerwood
WHAT IS THE WASHINGTON YOUTH ACADEMY?
The Washington Youth Academy (WYA) is a life intervention and credit recovery based educational program. Cadets are empowered to reintegrate into their home schools with the skills to graduate with their peers and become responsible citizens. There are eight core components central to the Academy’s mission, and all components must be successfully completed for a cadet to graduate from the Academy. Experiential training and activities tied to the core components help educate and build resiliency to empower youth to become productive members of the community upon graduation. The WYA continues to be known across the nation as a leader in the National Guard Youth Challenge Program for its innovative approaches and effective results. In December 2019, the academy completed its 11th year of operation. The eight core components are: leadership and followership, life coping skills, responsible citizenship, academic excellence, job skills, health and hygiene, service to community and physical fitness. The Academy helps cadets build character, resiliency skills, and recover credits so they can go back to high school and earn a diploma or seek an alternative path to finish their high school education. The WYA is a two-phase program that includes a 22-week intensive residential phase and a 52-week post-residential (or mentoring) phase.
Cadets can earn up to 8 credits – about 1.3 years of high school – in just 22 weeks.
Secretary of State Kim Wyman addresses a group of cadets at the Washington Youth Academy during the class 19-1 cycle. (Photo by Steven Friederich)
