Students at the Academy for Academic Excellence (AAE) in Apple Valley are receiving international recognition after the school’s Space Force JROTC program earned two major honors for leadership and community involvement.

The program was recently recognized with the 2025-2026 Air Force/Space Force JROTC Silver Star Community Service with Excellence Award, an honor awarded to units with the highest levels of community service participation. AAE was also named a Distinguished Unit with Merit, placing the school among the top-performing JROTC programs in the nation.

According to school officials, cadets in the program completed more than 16,000 total community service hours, averaging over 100 service hours per student. The achievement marks the 11th consecutive year the Apple Valley program has received the prestigious community service recognition, making it the only Air Force or Space Force JROTC unit worldwide to accomplish the feat.

Students involved in the program say the recognition reflects years of dedication both inside and outside the classroom. Beyond academics and military science training, cadets regularly volunteer throughout the community, supporting local events, organizations, and service projects across the High Desert.

The JROTC program focuses on leadership development, citizenship, discipline, and teamwork while introducing students to aerospace and space science education. Instructors and school leaders praised cadets for consistently going above expectations and representing the community with professionalism and service-minded leadership.

AAE also holds a unique place in national JROTC history. In 2022, the school became one of the first campuses in the country to transition into the newly created Space Force JROTC program, further expanding its emphasis on STEM education and real-world learning opportunities.

The Academy for Academic Excellence, operated by the Lewis Center for Educational Research, is widely known for its science and technology-focused curriculum and partnerships with organizations including NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

As the High Desert continues to grow, achievements like these highlight the talent, leadership, and dedication being developed right here in our local schools. From community service to STEM education and leadership training, programs like AAE’s Space Force JROTC are helping prepare the next generation to make an impact far beyond the classroom.

Photo courtesy of Academy for Academic Excellence via Facebook