The School Program (formerly the Middle School Initiative) began in 1993, in Houston, Texas. It was an Adopt-A- School joint program with the Army Reserve, Civil Air Patrol, and Briarwood School under the Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) program. This program served as a test unit for the CAP national DDR program. The success of placing the CAP program into a school for "learning-challenged youth" proved that all students were able to assimilate more when motivated, and the access to school facilities multiplied the ability of the squadron to conduct many varied activities.

The CAP DDR program serves as a sponsor for all CAP school programs. If the units are within 30 miles of Air Force, Air Reserve or Air National Guard bases, they satisfy the Air Force requirement of reaching family members and their associates. All other school programs receive guidance and curriculum assistance as needed.

The first CAP sponsored middle school program was formed just outside the gates of Kirtland AFB near Albuquerque, New Mexico. Initially formed with donated uniforms from the Navy, this concept was later assimilated as a CAP DDR initiative to fill the leadership/citizenship training void. Starting with one school, Wilson Middle School, the program expanded to 70 students in three middle schools. The school program was conducted as part of the Social Studies class that incorporated the standard Cadet Programs curriculum into the process. Cadets wore the CAP uniform to school one day a week, much like the JROTC program. This model resulted in a draft Memorandum of Understanding between the New Mexico Wing, Civil Air Patrol and the Albuquerque Public Schools. Fifteen of the 70 cadets earned scholarships (approximately $10,000 each) to the New Mexico Military Institute – a first.

The Florida Wing established a pilot program working with public middle schools to enhance the 1995-96 Safe School Appropriation by the Florida Legislature. In Coral Springs, the Chief of Police endorsed a pilot program as "an activity-filled environment that attracts young people to do positive things that benefit themselves and their community. The young people who go through the program definitely develop into excellent role models. They learn to be leaders and responsible young adults who are goal oriented and respectful of others. They tend to develop as very positive youth leaders who contribute to our community." The Florida school program has expanded into 14 schools, including high schools, with many cadets currently involved.

The largest middle school program is in North Carolina, where they have more than 430 cadets and 50 senior members enrolled as of March 2004. The School superintendent in Tonopah, AZ has made it a goal to establish a CAP school program in every middle school and high school in the school district. Texas Squadron 802 has the largest number of cadets enrolled in a single school program totaling 189 cadets.

CAP’s School Program offers schools a ready to use, structured program that will provide a positive leadership experience for students. The aim of the school program is completion of the 16 cadet program achievements over a six-year period. The highest achievement is the Spaatz Award. Upon completion of Achievement 16, cadets will be well versed in aviation and space, fundamental leadership theory and application, physical fitness, citizenship, safety, and other training activities that are challenging, fun and the envy of their peers. The bottom line is that through CAP, we can offer America’s youth a hope for a successful future … and show them how to achieve their goals and aspirations.