Superhero Training Academies

Superhero Training Academies (STAs) are facilities where metahumans undergo training in order to master their powers and the skills necessary to participate in law enforcement, rescue situations, and the myriad other duties are required of being a superhero.

## Overview

It is the dream of most metahumans to one day become a superhero, and gain the wealth, fame, and prestige that comes with being one of America's finest. In order for that to come to pass, they must enroll in one of many Superhero Training Academies, where they are taught the skills necessary to act as a superhero.

In order to be admitted to a superhero academy, prospective entrants are evaluated by officers from the Metahuman Affairs Division's Office of Superhero Recruitment. Most would be cadets visit one the OSR's recruitment offices for screening, though those whose talents have gotten them noticed may be personally visited by recruitment officers. After evaluating applicants, recruitment officers send their findings out to the various academies. If any of them accept the applicant, they will send a letter offering them attendance.

Tuition is fully paid for by taxpayer dollars, and as such, even the less prestigious schools tend to be quite selective in who they offer attendance to.

Depending on what age an applicant is accepted into an academy, the exact nature of how they are educated will differ. Every Superhero Training Academy is runs a training program for adults, but also runs a Junior Training Program (commonly referred to as "JT"), for cadets who have manifested powers early and been recruited, as well as the children of known superheroes, who are guaranteed to manifest powers at some point. Standard training programs are typically completed in two to four years, and involve full dedication to training courses that equip cadets with the skills and knowledge needed to be superheroes.

JTs, meanwhile, are less intensive and more spread out, as they must include standard education programs for their underage cadets, such as mathematics, science, and world history. Ideally, cadets enroll in JT programs at age 12, undergoing a six year course that includes both standard education and superhero training courses. In practice, however, many junior cadets, who manifest their powers sometime during their teens, will undergo training in a JT program until they turn 18, before completing their training in an adult program.

## List of United States Academies

* John Harrison Academy: One of the foremost institutions for superhero training, and a member of the "Big Five", the John Harrison Academy (more commonly known as JH) is located in the Hidden Valley in southeastern Ventura County, Southern California, along the shores of Lake Sherwood. A chief training ground for would be members of the Los Angeles Guardians, JH is known for its stunning campus, top notch training facilities, with renowned programs in a variety of subjects, with it being particularly famous for its advanced programs teaching practical skills that do not involve the use of powers, such as firearms, infiltration, and improvised weaponry. JH's proximity to both Los Angeles and Malibu results in the place having a strong party and beach scene. Cadets at JH often get the chance to rub shoulders with screenwriters and Hollywood executives, who frequently visit to scout for marketable talent. Captain Invincible, whose donations helped found the institution, appears frequently at events, showing up for training sessions to offer tips to cadets, and speaking at graduation ceremonies. JH graduates are highly sought after by superhero teams, and frequently come away with connections to movie studios, record companies, and other individuals who will ensure they grow even more rich and famous than they might otherwise.
* Rookwood Academy: Located on the shores of Lake Seneca in upstate New York, just south of the city of Geneva, Rookwood Academy is one of the top training centers for superheroes in the United States, being one of the "Big Five". Set in an area with an abundance of forests, fields, a scenic lake, and temperature extremes in summer and winter, Rookwood is most well known for its programs related to the training of metas with elemental powers, which are the top rated in the country. Rookwood is also known for its rather liberal ideology, emphasizing the importance of using one's superhero status as a platform for change and social justice. Rookwood is typically a favored recruiting ground for teams in the northeast and in California, and the emphasis on public speaking skills there also result in many corporations and charitable foundations seeking out graduates as spokespeople.
* Delancy Academy
* Brighton Academy: Brighton is one of the highest rated superhero academies in the nation, one of the so called "Big Five". Located in North Carolina, Brighton is situated northeast of the city of Durham, right beside the Falls Lake reservoir. Brighton is known for its top tier rescue training programs, requiring cadets to take courses which teach them how to safely remove civilians from hostage situations and all manner of dangerous environments. With their "lives first" mentality, Brighton prefers to select recruits whose powers enable them to rapidly extract civilians from danger, safely subdue large numbers of criminals, or assist in undoing damage to people and the environment. Teleporters and speedsters are sought after, as are elemental controllers with high degrees of finesse, telepaths, and fliers strong enough to carry planes. Brighton is additionally known for high level educational programs, offering a variety of courses related to more mundane academia, such as physics, biology, chemistry and architecture.
* Varger Academy: Located in the deserts of Nevada, some fifty miles east of the Nevada Test Site, Varger is a school primarily focused on recruiting cadets with flashy, battle applicable abilities. Speedsters, pyrokinetics, weather controllers and those with prodigious super strength all fit their bill. One of the elite "Big Five" institutions, the academy is known for its incredible combat programs, and encouraging cadets to explore the full destructive extent of their powers. The academy famously operates a number of fully destructible towns designed to resemble nuclear test sites, as well as top of the line combat simulation rooms, where cadets can test their mettle against simulated foes and their classmates. Due to its emphasis on combat training, Varger has forged close ties to the Metahuman Combat League in Las Vegas, with many graduates opting to head there after their superhero careers, while MCL athletes who aspire to go into superheroics attending Varger.
* Saint Michael's Academy