FLORIDA YOUTH CHALLENGE ACADEMY

FLORIDA YOUTH CHALLENGE ACADEMY is a Title I public high school that is part of the CLAY school district, located in STARKE, FL with about 28 students offering grade levels from 9th Grade to 12th Grade. A Title I school provides supplemental financial assistance to school districts for children from low-income families. Its purpose is to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education. With about 8 teachers, FLORIDA YOUTH CHALLENGE ACADEMY has a student/teacher ratio of about 3:1. The national average for public schools is about 15:1. A lower student/teacher ratio is a key factor that determines how much a teacher can devote his/her time to each individual student thus improving, or reducing (in the event of a higher student/teacher ratio) the attention each student is given for their educational needs.

The FLORIDA YOUTH CHALLENGE ACADEMY (FLYCA) is a residential, quasi-military style program designed to help at-risk youth between the ages of 16 and 18 turn their lives around. Located in Starke, Florida, the academy operates under the administration of the Florida National Guard. The core mission of the program is to intervene in the lives of academically struggling or disengaged students by providing them with a highly structured environment that fosters personal discipline, academic improvement, and physical fitness.

The program is split into two primary phases: a 22-week residential phase followed by a 12-month post-residential mentorship phase. During their time on-site, cadets focus on eight core components, including academic excellence, life-coping skills, vocational training, and leadership development. The ultimate goal of the academy is to help students earn their high school diplomas or GEDs and equip them with the skills, values, and work ethic necessary to succeed as productive citizens, whether they choose to pursue higher education, vocational training, or military service.

For more information, contact FLORIDA YOUTH CHALLENGE ACADEMY at (904) 682-4036 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.