The Washington Youth Academy hosts a community forum on Tuesday, April 24 in Federal Way for prospective students and their families.

“Traditionally, we get a lot of students from the Federal Way and Auburn areas because of the amazing relationship we have with the school districts and counselors, who see our school as an alternative way to help their students graduate high school,” said Elizabeth Bergmann, the outreach and admission specialist for the academy. “We’re so grateful for their support and the support of these communities.”

The youth academy, a quasi-military training and mentoring program, consists of a 22-week intensive residential phase, where cadets live on campus in Bremerton and potentially can recover up to eight credits (approximately 1.3 years of high school credits). The goal is to return graduates to their home high school to graduate on time with their peers. There’s also a one-year post-residential phase where the teen receives intense mentoring and placement followup

The formal presentations starts at 5 p.m. at the Federal Way PS Educational Service Center, 33330 8th Ave. S. in Federal Way. Bergmann will be on staff with graduates of the program.

Damenique Duncan, a senior in the Federal Way School District, completed the residential program in December and is in the post-residential cycle, where he has a mentor and staff at the Youth Academy, who help provide him guidance.

“I was a bit aimless before the academy,” Duncan said. “I wasn’t sure what I was doing. I had a teacher ask me, ‘What are you going to do with your life?’ Next thing you know, I’m doing push-ups. But I’m also reading, doing math and discovering leadership lessons. I want to go into politics now. I want to help people. I’m not sure I would have gone in that direction without the youth academy.”

The Washington Youth Academy is a division of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program. The academy is a state-run school for youth who have dropped out of high school or are at risk of dropping out. The school is for both females and males, 16- to 18-years of age, for those who are legal residents with no felony convictions and are not currently on parole or probation for anything other than juvenile offenses.

Bergmann says she hopes parents and candidates will attend the community forum. But those who can’t make it can still attend open houses at the Bremerton campus set for 10 a.m. on May 12 and June 2. The campus is at 1207 Carver St. in Bremerton.

The next cycle starts on July 14. Applications are due June 2. More information can be found at mil.wa.gov/WYA.