FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

​

Who is eligible to attend Sunburst?

Students who are credit deficient (failed any classes) and 15 1/2 -18 years old may apply to the program.  The applicant must never have been convicted of a felony, and must be willing to become drug-free, and physically and mentally able to complete the program.

​

What if my child turns 16 after the program starts?

 

Students must turn 16 during the residential phase of the program in order to attend Sunburst.  If not, the applicant must wait to attend the following class to apply.

​

Does Sunburst accept students over the age of 18?

No.  A student may turn 19 while they are attending Sunburst.  If the applicant turns 19 before the 1st day of the program he/she is ineligible to apply.

​

Am I eligible to attend Sunburst if I'm on probation?

​

Yes.  Students who are on probation may attend the academy as long as they meet our legal eligibility requirements (free of any felonies).

​

Can I attend Sunburst if I'm not credit deficient?

​

No.  Students MUST have failed classes in high school to be eligible.  Sunburst is a credit recovery program, not a credit acceleration program.  If the applicant is currently failing some classes, but hasn't failed any in the past, you may apply now, but will not be deemed eligible until the final reporting of the current semester.

 

Do you take students with an IEP? (Individual Education Program or Special Education)?

​

Yes.  Applicants who have an IEP will be required to submit a CURRENT IEP with their application.  This includes the current Psycho-Educational Report.

​

Can I force my child to attend the program?

No. Sunburst is 100% voluntary.  No one (parent, court, judge, probation officer) can force the child to come. The child must make the decision to attend the program.  At any point during the application process a student is identified as being "forced" to attend the academy, the application will be terminated.

​

Is the Program Co-Ed?

Yes.  The program is open to males and females.  All activities within the academy are conducted separately.  Platoons, classrooms, bays, chow hall, etc, are all separate.

​

How much does Sunburst cost?

​

Sunburst is a FREE program for families.   The Department of Defense (DOD) and the State of California split the cost per cadet (75/25).  The DOD funds 75% and the State of California funds 25%. 

​

Do you have to be from Southern California to attend Sunburst?

 

Yes.  An applicant must live in Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Imperial County, or San Diego County to be eligible.  If you live outside of our area, click on the link below to visit our National Website to find a program near you. 

 

http://www.ngyf.org/challenge-near-you/

​

Will students be drug tested at any time?

​

Yes. All cadets will be drug tested while attending Sunburst.  Cadets will be given ample time to clean their body of any drugs and alcohol prior to the first drug test.  From that point on, any positive drug test will result in immediate dismissal from the academy.

 

Additionally, all academies are tobacco and alcohol-free facilities.

​

​

How do I apply for Sunburst Youth Academy?

​

The first step in applying to the academy is to register for and attend an orientation.  Applicants must have a full understanding of what the academy entails in order to make an informed decision on whether or not to apply.  Click on the following link to find out when the orientation will be held. 

​

https://theburst.formstack.com/forms/orientation_registration

​