The New Jersey Youth ChalleNGe Academy is seeking applicants for Class #24 scheduled to begin on March 5, 2006.  Testing for potential cadets will take place in Newark on Thursday, January 26th and Friday February 10th; in Atlantic City on Friday, January 27th; and in Cherry Hill on Wednesday, January 25th.

     Interested students/parents should call 1-800-997-5587 to pre-register and get directions to the testing sites.  Applicants must be residents of New Jersey, drug-free, and not currently involved in probation or parole situations.   

     Everyone expecting to take the admissions test MUST BE REGISTERED!

     ChalleNGe, now entering its 12th year, is located on the grounds of Fort Dix, New Jersey and provides 16-18 year-old residents of New Jersey, who have not completed high school a second chance at earning a high school diploma, or qualifying for a GED (Graduate Equivalency Deiploma.

     Cadets participate in a wide variety of activities to include daily physical training, community service, and develop better life-coping skills.  The academic courses emphasize reading, writing, mathematics, science, computer skills, citizenship and social studies.  Cadets who successfully complete the requirements and pass the GED exam are eligible to receive a State of New Jersey High School Diploma.  

     Following Phase I, the initial 22-week residency phase, cadets are assigned mentors for an additional 12 months to provide continued guidance and direction in their home communities through a combination of personal visits, e-mails and phone calls.  For additional information, please visit the ChalleNGe website at: www.ngycp.org/state/nj.