Military schools in the U.S. provide middle school and/or high school students with a challenging college-prep curriculum that includes character and leadership education, alongside robust co-curriculars.
6 Reasons to Go to Military School
1. Academic Success
Military schools require students to set personal standards and live up to high expectations. This can help students reach their full academic potential as they follow the college prep curriculum at their respective schools. Military schools can also be especially beneficial for students who struggle in a traditional private or public school setting. For instance, at Army and Navy Academy, this school offers learning strategies programs to address learning differences and ESL/ESOL classes for international students.
2. Discipline and Structure
Structure is one of the cornerstones of a militaryboarding schooleducation. By offering a structured setting, the daily schedule offers teens an opportunity to learn how to balance their day between mental, physical, and social pursuits. The daily structure helps students learn how to set priorities, make wise choices and become effective decision-makers. These are skills that will help them succeed in college and life beyond.
3. Time Management and Accountability
It should come as no surprise that military schools provide the kind of structured environment that helps students acquire strong time management skills as well as develop the self-discipline and motivation to become accountable for their actions and choices. The rigorous daily schedule typically includes set times for personal hygiene, meals, classes, sports, clubs, study time, dorm meetings, tutorial periods, and optional counseling sessions. Most military schools offer day or boarding options and all students benefit from the structure built into each day.
4. Citizenship and Character
Military schools not only educate about the basics of good citizenship but also provide opportunities to put those lessons into action. Military schools appeal to students across the globe and focus on character development in the classroom, on the field, and in JROTC training. Military schools create good citizens by teaching values like self-discipline, honesty, self-confidence, respect, cand ommitment. and service to others. Lessons about civic responsibility, history, government, manners/etiquette, financial literacy, and more are integral to the JROTC Leadership Education Training (LET) classes.
5. Honor and Courage
Military schools embrace a values-based philosophy so students develop a moral compass and learn how to demonstrate honor, integrity, and courage. For example, at Army and Navy Academy, cadets are expected to adhere to the Honor Code (“do not lie, cheat, steal nor tolerate those that do”). Cadets show great courage as they step up to highly responsible leadership roles and other mental and physical challenges. Mentorship at military schools takes many forms but there are typically retired military officers who mentor and guide the cadets on campus.
6. Leadership Training
Military schools offer students a chance to shine as leaders. They acquire real-world management skills as they learn how to follow, lead, mentor, tutor and guide their peers and younger cadets. The development of leadership skills gives military school graduates the social and emotional tools to thrive in high school and throughout their lives. High school graduates head off well-equipped to be leaders with strong abilities in self-discipline, organization, teamwork, and decision-making.
People Also Ask:
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- What is a military school? Private military schools are typically for grades 7-12, but some schools do offer 6th grade. Most students are between 11-17 years old. In some cases, military schools may offer a post-graduate year (PG) like New Mexico Military Institute and Missouri Military Academy.
- What is a military academy? Military schools often use “academy” in their brand names (e.g. Army and Navy Academy, Riverside Academy, St. Catherine’s Academy, Admiral Farragut Academy). As a side note, it is important not to confuse military high schools or military middle schools with the university-level military service academies (US Military Academy (aka West Point), US Naval Academy (aka Annapolis),. US Air Force Academy/Space Command., US Coast Guard Academy., US Merchant Marine Academy).
- What classes are in military schools? Private military schools offer a challenging college prep curriculum to give students the best chance to gain admission to a college or university of their choice. Many schools offer STEM courses, Advanced Placement and Honors classes. Additionally, students in high school are required to take Leadership Education Training (LET) classes.
- What is military school like? Military schools are typically structured learning environments where students attend as day or boarding students. The school day is organized into timeframes for classes, athletics, co-curriculars, rest and relaxation time, study time, and meals. Boarding students reside on campus but may go home on selected weekends and holidays. There are weekend activities and many special events.
- Why would you go to a military school? Students choose military schools for a number of reasons, including: the need for more structure or motivation, to improve academics, prepare for college, and gain independence. Students also choose a military school because they want the leadership training and character development offered, something that really sets military schools apart from other boarding schools or private schools. Additionally, if they want to get into a military service academy, attending a military academy in high school can give them an edge for admission and/or a tuition free college education (service academies, ROTC scholarships).
- What are the benefits of military school? As cited in the reasons noted above, the benefits often include: personal growth (e.g. values, social skills, communication, and emotional maturity) as well as academic, leadership, character and athletic development. Cadets often have a competitive advantage to gain admission to top public and private universities, as well as benefit from academic, athletic and JROTC scholarships.
- Why should I send my child to military school? Parents often choose a military boarding school so their teen can become more self-disciplined, independent and resilient. Parents also often want to motivate their teen to improve grades/GPA so they can apply to colleges of their choice. Most military schools offer academic counselors to provide support as well as residential life staff to mentor and guide students.
- Is military school good for troubled youth? Military schools are not reform schools or intended to provide a bootcamp type of experience for troubled teens or major behavioral issues (e.g. legal issues, addiction issues). However, if a student has had a critical incident such as a death in the family, relocation, misdiagnosed learning issue or simply needs to be held accountable, military schools can be an excellent choice. It is normal for teens to be a bit rebellious at times, but choosing a military school requires compliance with clear behavioral guidelines, policies and procedures to avoid dismissal.
- Why were military schools created? “Military schools began appearing in America after the Revolutionary War, initially to help produce “proper military officers” of honor, ability, and intellect for the nation. This purpose highlights both the social and educational advantages associated with the early American concept of military education.” – AMCSUS
- How much does military school cost? Military schools are typically non-profits but must charge tuition and fees to cover their operating costs.
Explore Military School: Feel free to contact us at Army and Navy Academy, located on a beachfront campus in Southern California’s Carlsbad Village. Army and Navy Academy is a college preparatory school with boarding and day options. Geared exclusively for boys in grades 7-12, we are a model school for boys in middle school and high school and are ranked in the top six military schools in California. If we’re not the right fit, we will make every effort to provide other information.
Army & Navy Academy Admission Office:
Phone: 888-762-2338