Jorge Guerra and Tyler Mueller joined cadets from all over the state to attend the free residential school, geared at teaching teens discipline and helping them recover credits so they can go back to high school and earn a diploma or seek an alternative path, such as a GED or Running Start.

Youth Academy Director Larry Pierce credited the high retention rate to a robust application and interview process helping find strong candidates for the program, as well as a healthy, two-week acclimation period, where candidates can get more of a feel for the strict discipline needed for the voluntary program and decides it’s not for them.

“The cadets became teammates, and they changed together and prevailed together,” Pierce said.

The highest number of credits possible for the 22-week session is eight, compared to six for a full year of high school. About 133 students earned all eight credits. Before students entered the academy, the test of Adult Basic Education put the students’ grade level at 6.7. Near the end, a new test showed the average grade level at 9.2. Students had an average grade point of 3.4.

Cadets also received Community Emergency Response Training and donated 7,992 hours of community service.

Congressman Derek Kilmer told the cadets at commencement, “Take the leadership skills you’ve learned and be a positive influence in the lives of your friends, your family, your school and your community.”

The mission of the academy is to empower at-risk youth to improve their educational levels and employment potential. It is an intervention program for youth who have dropped out of high school or are at risk of dropping out.

The next class starts Jan. 16, 2016. Applications are still being accepted for female candidates. For more go to: mil.wa.gov/youth-academy.