EL PASO, TX—The FBI El Paso Field Office invites all interested 9th-12th grade students enrolled in accredited high schools (public, private or homeschool) in El Paso to apply to attend the FBI El Paso Teen Academy, which will be held at 660 S. Mesa Hills. The academy will run from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Tuesday only, and 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.

“Participating in the FBI El Paso Teen Academy is an exciting and unique opportunity for students who are passionate about making a difference in their communities and our nation,” said John Morales, FBI El Paso Special Agent in Charge. “As the future leaders and changemakers, today’s teens have an amazing, firsthand opportunity to step inside the world of the FBI and explore how they can be part of something greater—protecting the American people and upholding the U.S. Constitution. This immersive experience not only introduces students to real-world, multi-disciplinary career paths in federal law enforcement, but also inspires them to develop leadership, integrity, and a strong sense of civic duty. If you’re driven by purpose bigger than yourself, a burning desire to protect your community and curious about how the FBI serves our nation, the Teen Academy is your first step toward an impactful and rewarding future.”

The FBI Teen Academy provides an opportunity for high school students to catch a glimpse behind the scenes of the FBI. Upon completion of Teen Academy, high school students will have a greater understanding of the FBI’s mission and how we serve our citizens, community, and nation. During the academy, students will be afforded an opportunity to learn about how evidence is collected at crime scenes; discover how FBI SWAT executes arrests; learn about terrorism, civil rights, crimes against children, and cyber programs; as well as job opportunities and requirements. Students will learn from Special Agents, Intelligence Analysts, Language Specialists, and Professional Staff about investigative tactics that include gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and assisting with cases.

The FBI does not hire only individuals with a criminal justice background, therefore, any student with an interest in the FBI and what we do is encouraged to apply. All students will be evaluated based on their application (school activities and community involvement) and an essay to determine which students will be offered a seat in the class. None of the above elements will be the sole basis of the evaluation of an application, and the application process should be taken seriously by all applicants.

The application, release form, and a supporting essay must be received by the FBI El Paso Field Office by 5 p.m. May 16, 2025. Submit applications to: FBI_EP_TeenAcademy@fbi.gov. Incomplete and late applications will not be accepted. We will notify students of their application status by e-mail no later than Friday, May 30, 2025. The application and more information can be found here: https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/elpaso/community-outreach