The National Guard Patriot Academy

The National Guard Patriot Academy was a pilot program of the National Guard Bureau from 2009-2013 that gave qualified recruits without high school diplomas the opportunity to join the National Guard, earn their diploma, and give back to the community. The last class graduated in November, 2012 and the program was terminated on January 12, 2013. The Patriot Academy was accredited as a freeway high school by the Indiana State Board of Education.  It was also the first and only accredited high school for Soldiers to be run by any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Patriot Academy was a residential program at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Butlerville, Indiana which had the ability to service up to 250 students at any given time.  The length of stay for each students varied, depending on the number of credits necessary for a student to meet Indiana graduation requirements.  During their stay, students focused on  three main areas: (1) academics, (2) military training, and (3) community service.  The school opened in the summer of 2009 and graduated its first senior class in the spring of 2010.  Indiana offers four types of high school diplomas. A majority of Patriot Academy students earn a General or Core-40 Diploma.  We use a 4.0 grading scale. Students do not receive a class ranking, however, two honor graduates (highest cumulative GPA’s from past high school and Patriot Academy) are recognized for each graduating class.

Curriculum

The academic program was a hybrid of direct instruction, by on site, licensed teachers and distance learning, via a platform designed specifically for the Patriot Academy by Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va.  Liberty University is regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS-COC).  The Patriot Academy utilized block scheduling-students attend a 1-hour homeroom and three 2-hour class periods.

Patriot Academy was the vision of Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Clyde A. Vaughn, former director of the Army National Guard.

Our Mission

Through the course of an academic timeline, the United States National Guard Patriot Academy provided a robust educational program for qualifying enlistees to earn an Indiana High School Diploma and post secondary credits while developing their life skills and military training.

Our Priorities

Provide curriculum and resources, tailored to the individual Soldier, that allows them to earn a High School Diploma.

Provide training and mentorship that builds and sustains individual military proficiency.

Continue development of life skills with reinforced training and community service.

Our Vision

A full-time Title 10 National Guard Military Academy conducted in an academic atmosphere that:

• Provided Soldier/students with the opportunity and resources to earn a State of Indiana High School Diploma
• Equipped Soldiers/students with post-secondary education
• Empowered Soldiers/students with training in life, military, and employment skills
• Developed a better educated, more disciplined, and highly motivated Soldier

Upon program completion, Patriot Academy Soldiers were better prepared to meet civilian and military challenges.

For more information, check out our Frequently Asked Questions page.