Every year, a 6-month quasi-military program called the Mountaineer Challenge Academy is held statewide for students who do not thrive in regular school environments and need an alternative route to receiving their high school diploma. This specific opportunity is unique to West Virginia students and is a very successful way of redirecting your life in all the best ways.
Counselor Ms. Mathieu said, “It is an educational opportunity designed to help students who are academically behind and at-risk of not graduating in a traditional manner. It provides them an opportunity to earn a high school diploma through a semester-long residential program in a military-like environment. They usually run 2 sessions a year. Once a student successfully completes the program, they graduate! These students are also allowed to participate in our graduation ceremony.”
“Mountaineer Challenge Academy is a great option for students who may be at risk for graduation. So, if you’re credit-deficient or just struggling to be a student here at Wheeling Park High School, it is a really great option to go somewhere else to get your high school diploma,” said counselor Mrs. Short.
Britney Dixon at Mountaineer Challenge Academy said, “We are a quasi-military camp, so that means that while we don’t take everything from the military, we take a good bit from the military so it is a very structured and disciplined program. It is a fast track for your high school diploma.”
Furthermore, the requirements to apply for the Mountaineer Challenge Academy are rather straightforward and the program is extremely accessible.
Ms. Mathieu said, “MCA is meant for students who are at risk of not graduating and are struggling academically. Students must be 16-18 years old. They must be physically and mentally able to complete the program. It is pretty accessible to any student. Sometimes, students will not complete all the tests necessary in time. If that happens, they can return to Park to finish the needed tests to earn their diploma.”
Despite the success and uniqueness of the Mountaineer Challenge Academy, not that many Wheeling Park students actually know about it or seek further information.
“Typically, each year we have about 5 or so students that attend Mountaineer Challenge,” says Ms. Mathieu.
Even if you are only slightly interested, you should seek further information from your counselor or Britney Dixon at Mountaineer Challenge.
“Give me an application, because sending an application and coming to an orientation is not a commitment, it is just an opportunity to see what the program is and see if it is something you’re interested in. Call me, text me, give me an application and come see what the program is like,” said Dixon.
In case you missed Dixon’s visit on the 11th, you can stay updated on future MCA rep visits through Schoology and by talking to Mrs. Schultz in the ILC or your counselor.
“If you are at all interested in Mountaineer Challenge Academy, we have them come in during certain activity periods so make sure you’re checking and staying connected in Schoology. There is a website, you can even google ‘Mountaineer Challenge Academy’, and you can also see Mrs. Schultz in the ILC because she knows a lot about it,” said Mrs. Short.
However, it is important to talk about what Mountaineer Challenge actually entails. It is not an easy replacement for traditional schooling, but it is a rewarding program that will help redirect and structure your life if you find yourself falling behind. Mrs. Schultz elaborates on one of the hardships of the Mountaineer Challenge Academy.
“I think one of the biggest challenges that people don’t realize with Mountaineer Challenge is that it is an experience where you actually go to the location and you are there for six months away from your family, it’s just kind of like when you enroll into the army or national guard. You go there and you are totally focused on the Mountaineer Challenge and I just think that’s a big challenge for people. Most people get applications but become disinterested when they learn there will be limited contact with their families throughout it,” said Mrs. Schultz.
Even though that is considered the main drawback, Mountaineer Challenge is also a very successful program with a lot of opportunities.
“Talking to lots of different facilitators, it is one of the only programs that has a high success rate. It’s far more structured than most schools and sometimes people need that. I think that makes it successful,” said Dixon.
Mrs. Schultz said, “Some of the bonuses while they’re there is that they have job training. They have welding and woodwork– similar to the CTE programs we have at Wheeling Park High School. With the Mountaineer Challenge, there are different certifications you can get and then after that you have their jobs program.”
If you are a student who is interested in the Mountaineer Challenge Academy, do not hesitate to reach out to your counselor, Mrs. Schultz, or Britney Dixon at the MCA. You can also visit their website, https://wvchallenge.org/, for more information, applications, and methods of contacting those in charge of the program. This quasi-military program is something any struggling Wheeling Park student should take advantage of.
