This is a comprehensive guide on the top military boarding schools in the US if you are looking for a military boarding school for teenagers who require a strong and persistent authority figure in their lives.
Some military boarding schools in the US aim to help students realize their full potential while also educating them on various career paths they may choose from in the future.
Most military boarding schools in the United States emphasize military training, academic rigor, and physical fitness in their programs.
What is Military School?
A military school is an academy or college for military servicemen and women which focuses on academics as well as military training.
Most military schools are boarding schools or military-style institutions with the primary purpose of instilling discipline and hard work in a classroom setting.
Educational institutions in the United States that train future military officers are called military colleges or service academies.
Depending on the country, the specific definition varies, however it is frequently used to teach military personnel.
Students from military boarding schools in the US are instilled with respect, discipline, accountability, responsibility, and leadership through a tough academic and physical training program.
The first step toward a military career is attending military school, which lays the groundwork for a life of service. There are secondary schools in this area that specialize in preparing students for careers in the military.
Military academies attract a huge number of candidates because of their illustrious status. Students at the school not only receive an excellent education, but they also learn about military life and customs.
Admission Requirements to the Top 10 Military Boarding Schools in the US
Military boarding schools in the US have their own unique admissions criteria. The typical student should be in the 6th to the 8th-grade range.
So students between the ages of 12 and 15 would fit the bill. It is a factor that is determined depending on the academy.
In the United States, most areas mandate that children between the ages of six and sixteen attend Military boarding schools.
If a parent demands that their child attend a military school, they are permitted to do so.
To enroll in military boarding schools in the US, the strict admissions process that requires a medical test, pass exams, and a package of documentation for your file.
Applicants attending military schools must submit an autobiography as part of the application process.
Top 10 Military Boarding Schools in the US
There are several military boarding schools in the US, but this is the list of the top 10 military boarding schools in the US.
1. Admiral Farragut Academy
As one of the top military boarding schools in the US, Admiral Farragut Academy is also a private prep school that accepts both boys and girls.
It offers classroom instruction for students in grades K-12 during the day and in grades 8-12 during the night.
In the gorgeous Boca Ciega Bay neighborhood of St. Petersburg, Florida, you’ll find this tiny school. Beaches and a bustling downtown harbor are within easy reach.
Naval Science (leadership and sailing) and STEM are only two examples of the unique programs offered by the school. Other offerings include Scuba and AP Capstone. FCIS, SACS, TABS, SAIS, and NAIS are also accredited by the academy.
The Admiral Farragut Academy is a military preparatory school that offers a wide range of academic courses.
Because of the small class sizes, the teachers have the time to get to know each of their pupils on a personal level.
The school focuses on developing the full student and is involved in each student’s life both inside and outside of the classroom.
Farragut also offers a variety of groups, competitive sports, and theme park weekend getaways.
This school’s notable alumni include astronauts Alan Shephard and Charles Duke, who served in the Apollo missions. In addition to attending Admiral Farragut’s military boarding school, actor Lorenzo Lamas was also a student.
Although enrollment is limited, the student body represents a truly global cross-section.
Current students at the Admiral Farragut Academy hail from over 27 different nations, according to the school.
ESOL classes for non-English speakers are also provided.
The military preparatory school has a student body of just over 300. The average class size is 17, and the teacher-student ratio is 1:15 on average.
boarding costs are included in the $48,000 per year cost of tuition for most students. Each year, the household earns about $56,500, which is in line with the average for all of the US.
International students pay roughly $51,800 per year, which is a little more than domestic students.
2. New York Military Academy
The New York Military Academy is one of the most prestigious top military boarding schools in the US.
New York Military Academy is not only one of the best military boarding schools in the US, but it is also one of the most successful.
It was established in 1889 and is located right on the Hudson River in Cornwall-on-Hudson. Notable alumni include former President Donald J. Trump, Francis Ford Coppola, and Judge Albert Tate.
The college prep school is a coeducational board school that welcomes both boys and girls. It is one of the country’s oldest military institutions, and it traditionally only allowed male students.
The school serves students in grades 8 through 12. The school has only 100 pupils, which makes it extremely exclusive. Classrooms are small, with an average teacher-to-student ratio of 1:8.
The average SAT score at the prestigious institution is 1200. Students spend an average of $44,160 per year for tuition and boarding, which is significantly less than the average yearly cost for boarding institutions.
Furthermore, more than half of the students enrolled get some type of financial aid, with awards averaging $13,000 on average.
The college preparatory institution has an unblemished reputation of 100% college placement. It also serves as the location for the NYMA Summer Leadership Program.
Extremely small class sizes contribute to high academic success. The typical class size is only eight people, allowing for a high level of personal connection and training.
Tuition at New York Military Academy is $44,160 on average.
3. Fork Union Military Academy
Fork Union Military Academy is located in the small community of Fork Union, Virginia. The sprawling property encompasses over 1,300 acres.
The calmness of the remote campus has contributed to its popularity, making it one of the top military boarding schools in the US.
Sonny Randle, Plaxico Burress, General John T. Chain Jr., and Charles Edwin Estes are among the notable alumni of the Christian college prep institution.
Fork Union Military Academy only accepts male students for admission. Each year, it bestows several scholarships on cadets based on several requirements, with a focus on leadership, character, and academic success.
Currently, students in grades 7 through 12 are admitted. There are just 330 pupils enrolled. Attendees are given a one-of-a-kind “One-Subject Plan” curriculum in which they only study one subject for seven weeks.
Fork Union students have an average SAT score of 1110 because of the exclusivity, classroom sizes are tiny. The student-to-teacher ratio is only 1:8.
Tuition for boarding school is also reasonable. The yearly average is roughly $33,000, which is more than $20,000 less than the national boarding school average. Students also receive grants for $11,000 on average.
4. Missouri Military Academy
The Missouri Military Academy is situated in the countryside of Missouri.
The prep school boards all of its students and has a strong military legacy as well as an emphasis on academic performance and is one of the top military boarding schools in the US.
Mr. Dale Dye, Judge William Berry, and Lt. General Jack Fuson are among the boarding school’s prominent alumni.
The Missouri Military Academy is currently only for boys. It prepares students from grades 7 to 12. Its 360-Degree Education fosters academic success, physical growth, character development, personal motivation, and leadership qualities.
Graduates have been accepted to some of the country’s most elite universities, including U.S. service academies.
Its JROTC program is nationally acclaimed and has received the highest honor from the United States Army more than 30 times.
The Missouri Military Academy currently has only 220 male students enrolled. The boarding school’s average SAT score is 1148. The typical ACT score is 23.
The average class size is 14 students, with a teacher-to-student ratio of 1:11. Yearly tuition for boarding students is $38,000, and $9,300 for day students.
Financial aid is received by approximately 40% of students.
5. Camden Military Academy
The Camden Military Academy in Camden, South Carolina is one of the finest military boarding schools in the US.
The institution’s educational philosophy is guided by the phrase “whole man.”
In addition to their academic progress, students are expected to develop physically, emotionally, and morally.
The school now only accepts male students in grades 7 through 12 for admission. It presently has a student body of 300, making Camden Military Academy one of the nation’s most prestigious military boarding schools.
In most cases, the class size is 12. There is a one-to-seven student-to-teacher ratio, allowing for plenty of one-on-one interaction.
The average SAT score was 1050, and the average ACT score was 24. Accreditation by SACS, NAIS, and AMSCUS is all that Camden Military Academy has to offer.
Residential institutions’ tuition costs are much lower than the national average.
The average domestic student at Camden Military Academy pays $24,000 per year for boarding, which is less than half of the national average cost.
Those who study abroad, on the other hand, have to fork over an average of $37,000 in tuition each year.
The average grant size ($2,800 per year) is substantially below the national average, and just 30% of students receive financial assistance.
6. Massanutten Military Academy
Woodstock, Virginia, is home to the Massanutten Military Academy.
As one of the military boarding schools in the US, it offers admission to both boys and girls and it also helps students prepare in a private setting for secondary school.
Cadets benefit from a rigorous academic program as a result of a rigorous curriculum. Massanutten Military Academy has long been recognized as one of the nation’s best military academies as a result of its consistently strong SAT scores.
Students in grades 5 through 12 are welcome to apply to the Massanutten Military Academy. About 130 students are enrolled on the campus, which is rather modest. This results in a teacher-to-student ratio of 1:8 in the classes.
This year, the average SAT score for 2021 is 1230. The ACT results have not been released.
The cost of attending a boarding school is reasonable. The cost of accommodation and tuition for students from the United States averages $29,000 per year. The average yearly cost of attendance for an international student is $38,000.
Exceptional financial support has been provided. According to the school, 95% of students receive some form of financial assistance, yet the average stipend is only $5,000.
It has a reported 75 percent acceptance rate.
7. New Mexico Military Institute
When the New Mexico Military Institute opened in 1891, it was the first coed preparatory military boarding school in the United States.
It can be used by students in grades 9 through 12. New Mexico Military Institute provides students with military education and training at an affordable price.
The school’s academic achievement, leadership and character development, and physical fitness programs are widely recognized as some of the best in the country.
The amount of money awarded in scholarships each year exceeds $2 million. The student body will include students from 40 different states and 33 different countries by the year 2021. Nearly two-thirds of the student body is comprised of non-whites.
Most students who pursue higher education in the United States can complete their degrees (98 percent). It’s easier to get one-on-one attention because of the small class size (10:1).
Conrad Hilton, Sam Donaldson, Chuck Roberts, and Owen Wilson are included in the alumni. The US military has awarded Medals of Honor to several students.
Over 900 students are housed on the 300-acre campus, making it one of the biggest military boarding schools in the country.
Last year, only $13,700 was spent on boarding and tuition. International students were charged a little higher fee. Financial help is available to nearly all students; the average grant is $3,000 per student.
8. Valley Forge Military College (VFMC)
Valley Forge Military College (VFMC) was established in 1935 as the Military College of Pennsylvania.
This school is a two-year, private, coeducational military junior college.
As a college preparatory program, Valley Forge Military College (VFMC) aims to produce well-rounded, self-disciplined young adults who are ready to transfer to four-year institutions of higher learning.
Valley Forge Military College (VFMC) has programs that lead to the Associate of Arts, the Associate of Science, or the Associate in Business Administration degrees.
Valley Forge Military College (VFMC)
9. Marine Military Academy
There is a good reputation for affordability at this relatively new college created in the mid-1960s. To learn more about the marines, head to Harlingen, Texas, home of the Marine Military Academy.
More than 50 courses are available for a reasonable price at the institution. $35,000 per year is the average cost of education and lodging. The academy has a student body of more than 250 boys between the ages of 7 and 12.
A teacher-to-student ratio of 1:11 means that classes aren’t overcrowded and is one of the top military boarding schools in the US.
Finances are Marine Military Academy’s major flaw. An estimated 15 percent of the population receives help, and the amount provided is little. The typical student received a $2,700 cash aid.
The academy’s primary purpose is to help students who want to join the US Marine Corps. Additional options include Aerospace and Marine Science courses.
In addition, the Marine Corps uses 40 acres of campus for physical training. Additionally, JROTC and organized sports are available at the school.
Almost all applicants to the Marine Corps Military Academy are accepted.
10. St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy
This military academy was founded in 1884 and has been actively involved in assisting young adults to develop into great leaders with exceptional character.
Private, elite, coed preparatory school emphasizing character development and college readiness for its students. 265 students are accepted into St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy annually.
Every student at this school follows a rigid academic schedule and takes part in organized athletics as part of their overall education.
Students at St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy benefit from the military-style organization of the school and its emphasis on character development.
There is a lot of emphasis on academic achievement at St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy, as well. It’s no surprise, then, that students are required to put in a lot of time and effort into their studies.
The nine-to-one student-teacher ratio allows kids to receive more personalized instruction and assistance with any subjects they may be having difficulty with.
To put it another way, St. John’s Northwestern University’s mission is to cultivate excellent citizens who understand the need for teamwork, honesty, and critical thinking.
Consequently, all students leave St. John’s Northwestern with an understanding of what it takes to succeed in an ever-changing and demanding world.
St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy
5 Benefits of Enrolling Your Child in Top Military Boarding Schools in the US
Here are five important, lifelong benefits for enrolling your child in Military boarding Schools in the US.
1. Students Learn Leadership Skills
Military boarding schools in the US use role modeling as a primary method of instilling leadership skills in their students.
Many of the adult leaders and instructors at this school have served in the military or are currently serving in the armed forces of the United States.
In this way, students learn from the examples set by the mentors who have a wealth of professional and personal experience.
2. Students are Given Boundaries
In military boarding schools in the US, students thrive on a disciplined schedule. Here, students have assigned times for wake-up, lunch, class, homework, physical activity, recreation, and lights-out.
This pattern in turn, thus, instills time management skills, responsibility, accountability, and drive among each student and peer group.
3. Students are Taught Discipline
In Military boarding schools in the US students here are trained to obey specific regulations, which are in place to help them reach their goals.
Discipline in the military school is not as rigorous or punitive as many think. Rather it focuses on helping each learner acquire inner power by moderating his behaviors and reactions.
4. Students are Given Plenty of Personal Responsibility
Students in military boarding schools in the US learn to accept responsibility for themselves in a manner that’s not normally necessary at other boarding schools.
They keep meticulous care of their uniforms, lodgings, and personal hygiene, as well as learn to be on time for every class, meal, and formation.
5. Students Learn the Value of Integrity
Finally, students in military boarding schools in the US function under a stringent code of behavior.
Every student is responsible to behave with respect toward superiors and classmates.
This will help in the decision-making process and provide you with vital information on the top military boarding schools in the US.
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