Defend real networks. Compete nationally.
CyberPatriot is the Air & Space Forces Association's national youth cyber defense competition. MARS Microschool is sponsoring a Huntsville team for the 2026-27 season and opening seats to teens in our community — MARS student or not.
$250 per seat · full season
Register by September 1, 2026 to lock this rate. $300 from September 1 – October 1, 2026.
What CyberPatriot actually is
Teams of teens are handed vulnerable virtual machines and a clock. They hunt down misconfigurations, patch holes, lock down accounts, and score points for every system they harden — the same work entry-level security analysts do on day one of the job. MARS fields teams at the middle and high school level, guided by former CyberPatriot competitors who are now cybersecurity industry professionals.
No prior experience is required. Students learn Windows and Linux hardening, networking fundamentals, and cyber ethics through weekly practice rounds before competition begins in October 2026. Learn more about the program at uscyberpatriot.org.
Why families want a seat
Skills employers actually pay for
Hardening real operating systems, reading logs, closing ports. These are billable security skills, practiced weekly, years before a first internship.
A résumé line that stands out
National competition results, in a defense-and-aerospace town, signal something a transcript can't. Colleges and Huntsville employers know the program by name.
A team, not a class
Teens who like hard problems find each other here. Weekly practice, shared wins, and teammates who push each other instead of coasting.
Mentors from the industry
Coaching from former competitors now working in cybersecurity — people who did this as teens and turned it into a career.
Season details
- When we meet
- Fridays, 2–3pm, weekly practice rounds
- Where
- GigaParts — Huntsville, Alabama
- Season
- Practice begins September 2026 · competition starts October 2026. Competition dates are set by the teams.
- Who it's for
- Middle and high school teens. Open to MARS students and non-MARS families alike. No experience needed.
Reserve your seat
One price for the whole season. Two ways to pay.
Early rate — through September 1, 2026
$250
per student · full 2026-27 season
- · Team registration and competition entry
- · Weekly coached practice rounds
- · Training materials and practice images
- · Mentorship from working security professionals
Secure checkout. You'll get a receipt by email — forward it to Jennifer@MARSMicroschool.ai if you'd like confirmation of your roster spot.
Using Alabama CHOOSE Act funds
$0 out of pocket
MARS is an approved education service provider. If your family has a CHOOSE Act award, generate an itemized invoice for a CyberPatriot seat and submit it for approval — no card needed.
Generate CHOOSE Act InvoiceNot sure whether you qualify? Schedule a call with Jennifer and we'll walk through it.
50% off — two ways to qualify
Half-price seats for MARS Trailblazers and for girls in cyber
- MARS Trailblazers. Enrolled MARS students take 50% off their CyberPatriot seat.
- Girls joining the team. Any girl signing up for the 2026-27 season takes 50% off — women are still under 25% of the cybersecurity workforce, and we intend to change that from Huntsville outward.
Codes aren't posted publicly. Email Tayna@marsmicroschool.ai or ask any MARS staff member, and we'll send your code to enter at checkout.
Deadlines: $250 per seat through September 1, 2026. $300 per seat September 1 – October 1, 2026. Registration closes when competition begins in October 2026.
Questions families ask
Does my teen need experience?
No. Most competitors start with zero background. Practice rounds teach Windows and Linux hardening from the ground up, and coaches walk teams through each system.
What equipment do we need?
A laptop that can run the competition practice images is ideal. Tell us if that's a barrier when you register — we work with families to make sure hardware never keeps a teen off the team.
Can CHOOSE Act funds cover a seat?
Yes. MARS is both an approved vendor and a private school under the CHOOSE Act. Use the invoice generator on our CHOOSE Act page and submit it for approval.
What's the real time commitment?
One hour of coached practice on Fridays, 2–3pm, plus competition rounds on dates the teams set together. Teens who want extra practice can, but it isn't required.
Are there discounts?
Yes — enrolled MARS Trailblazers and any girl joining the team get 50% off a seat. Codes aren't posted publicly; email Tayna@marsmicroschool.ai or ask a MARS staff member and we'll send the code to use at checkout.
Is this only for MARS students?
No. Seats are open to any middle or high school teen in the Huntsville area — homeschool, public, private, or microschool.
What if we register after October 1?
Competition has usually begun by then and rosters are locked, so reach out to Jennifer directly and we'll tell you honestly whether a seat is still workable this season.
Huntsville's next cyber defenders are already signing up.
Grab a seat at the early rate, or talk it through with Jennifer first.