However, in the same way as a high or secondary school, they have academic classes after the breakfast. In the evening there may be self-study classes. As a part of the military institute, seniority is important and commands of seniors must be obeyed by juniors. In general, military schools instil values like respect, discipline, accountability, and leadership through rigorous academic and physical training. In this article, we will examine the top 15 military boarding school for kids. Before we continue, here is a review of what this post looks like.

What Is A Military School?

A military school is an educational institution that prepares candidates for service in the officer corps. It normally provides education in a military environment. A military school for kids is a type of high school that includes military cadet education and so are a form of the military academy. They are found in a number of countries and offer a regular high school education but with an extra curriculum of military training.

What Are Military Schools For Kids Like?

Military schools for kids offer a regular high school education but with an extra curriculum of military training.  For example, cadets must rise early and do physical training to be followed by games in the afternoon. However, in the same way as a high or secondary school, they have academic classes after breakfast. In the evening there may be self-study classes. As a part of the military institute, seniority is important and commands of seniors must be obeyed by juniors. All cadets from the same batch are considered to be of the same rank. However, in higher grades, prefects are selected to lead the normal cadets.

What Are The Benefits Of Going To A Military School In USA?

 America’s military school for kids carries on a proud tradition of academic and personal excellence which has withstood the assaults of negative media attention and changing fashions in education.  Other benefits of going to a military school in USA includes:

1. They Build Character

Being a team member, learning to execute orders and sacrificing one’s personal needs for the good of the group – these are all character-building exercises military school for kids in the USA teaches its students. Service above self is an integral part of most military schools’ philosophy. Students who attend military school leave with a sense of pride in themselves, their communities and their roles as good citizens of the world.

2. They Instill Discipline

Discipline is the first word that comes to mind when you think of military school. Indeed, discipline is the essence of military schools, but it doesn’t always refer to a negative form of discipline. Discipline creates order. Order creates results.   The level of positive discipline prepares them for the rigors of college, careers, or military involvement. 

3. Demanding Academics and Military Training

Most military schools in the US offer extensive college preparatory courses as part of their academic curricula. They combine that demanding academic work with rigorous military training so that their graduates are poised to matriculate to college and universities everywhere.

4. They Offer JROTC

JROTC or Junior Reserve Officer’s Training Corps is a Federal program sponsored by the U.S. Army at high schools nationwide. The Air Force, Navy, and Marines offer similar programs. About 50% of JROTC program participants go on to active military service. JROTC provides an introduction to military life and philosophy at the secondary school level. It is an important part of most military school’s programs.

5. They Produce Distinguished Graduates

The rolls of military schools in the US are filled with distinguished graduates who have gone on to be successful in just about every endeavour you care to name. Not just in military service either.

6. Patriotism

Patriotism is at the core of military training. The history of our country and how it got to where it is in the 21st century is an important part of what military schools teach as well. Inspiring service to our nation is the mission of a military school.

How Much Does Military School For Kids Cost?

Military school tuition rates are based on the reputation of the school, and its location. The average cost of a military school is $30,000 – $40,000 per year.

What Is The Minimum Age To Attend A Military School?

Every military school in the United States has its own acceptance requirements. The norm is between the grades of 6 to 8. So that would place students between the ages of 12 and 15. It does depend on the academy. In the United States, most regions of it require children between the ages of 6 and 16 to receive a formal education. Parents are allowed to force their child to a military school if they make the demand.

What Are The Top Military Schools For Kids In USA?

There are several military schools in the US but here we have listed the top 15 military schools for kids in the USA. However, To effectively rank the best military schools for Kids in the USA, we used the following ranking factors according to WSF Review. Hence, they include; The grades a miitary school offers can determine the level of facility it’s operating with. That is, if it has a low or high facility. It is often said that students in lower grade usually have more facilities and hands than others. This refers to the number of students the military school takes in an academic year. This simply means the students to teachers ratio. That is, the number of students one teacher can take if the students are shared among the teachers in the military school. Here are the best military schools for kids in the USA:

1. Camden Military Academy

Acceptance Rate: 80%  The Camden Military Academy is located in Camden, South Carolina. The institution endorses a motto of “whole man” in terms of its approach to academia. In addition to academics, students are also challenged to grow physically, emotionally, and morally. The average class size is only 12 students. The teacher to student ratio is 1:7 providing a ton of face-to-face interaction. Students average a score of 1050 on the SAT, and 24 on the ACT. Tuition is way down compared to the national average for military schools. The average domestic student at Camden Military Academy only pays about $24,000 per year in boarding, less than half the national median. However, international students do pay substantially more on tuition at $37,000 per year. Additionally, only 30 percent of students receive financial aid and the average grant size ($2,800 per year) is far below the national average.

2. Fork Union Military Academy

Average SAT Score: 1100 – 1150 Fork Union Military Academy is a military school that performs exceptionally well on the SAT. Last year the average score was 1110, good for fifth among military prep schools in the nation. The male-only military academy has a longstanding tradition of performing very well on college entrance exams, and thus placement into very prestigious universities are common. Students are well rounded as Fork Union not only focuses on academics, but also leadership and character. Its “One-Subject Plan” curriculum has been notoriously successful in helping mold young minds.

3.  Marine Military Academy

Tuition: $35,000 Marine Military Academy is located in Harlingen, Texas. The academy provides more than 50-course offerings at reasonable prices. The median average for tuition and boarding is $35,000 per year. Over 250 male students attend the academy for ages 7 through 12. Classroom size is relatively small with a teacher to student ratio of 1:11. The academy is primarily designed to provide opportunities for those interested in joining the U.S. Marine Corps. Along with honor courses, students may also enroll in Aerospace and Marine Science. Additionally, 40 acres on-campus is dedicated to Marine Corps physical training. JROTC and organized sports are also offered through the institution.

4. Admiral Farragut Academy

Acceptance Rate: 90% Admiral Farragut Academy is a private military prep school that allows boys and girls. It provides classroom instruction for grades 8 through 12. The small campus is located in Boca Ciega Bay in St. Petersburg, Florida. The academy offers signature programs including Naval Science (Military), Aviation, Engineering, Marine Science, Scuba, and AP Capstone. The military prep school has a little over 300 students. The average classroom size is 17, with a teacher to student ratio of 1:15. The average yearly tuition for students is $48,000 which includes boarding costs. The yearly amount is comparable to the nationwide average of $56,500. International students pay a slightly higher amount at nearly $51,800 per year.

5. New York Military Academy

Average SAT Score: 1200 – 1250 New York Military Academy not only makes our list as one of the most exclusive military schools in the United States for 2020, but also one of the highest achieving. The average SAT score for New York Military Academy students this past year was 1200 – good for fourth in the country. The co-ed school witnessed high performance for both boys and girls, and offered advanced placement into some of the top universities in the nation. High academic performance is partly attributed to extremely small class sizes. The average class only has eight students, providing a massive amount of personal interaction and instruction. The average tuition for New York Military Academy is $44,160.

6. Valley Forge Military Academy

Valley Forge Military Academy is an international leadership institution, comprised of a middle school and high school for boys in grades 7-12. Students are immersed in a unique educational experience centered on Five Cornerstones: Academic Excellence, Personal Motivation, Character Development, Physical Development, and Leadership. These cornerstones help cadets reach their academic potential to achieve success in the classroom and beyond. From its cadet leadership ranks to the rifle club to its award-winning equestrian program, VFMAC teaches students leadership and responsibility in practical ways.

7. Missouri Military Academy

Acceptance Rate: 60% – 70% The Missouri Military Academy is located in rural Missouri. The prep school boards all its students and relies on a heavy military tradition as well as focus on academic excellence. The Missouri Military Academy is currently exclusive to just boys. It preps students in the grades 7 through 12. Its 360-Degree Education promotes academic excellence, physical development, strong character, personal motivation, and leadership skills. Classroom sizes are small with an average of 14 students and teacher to student ratio of 1:11. Yearly tuition averages $38,000 for boarding, and $9,300 for day students. Approximately 40 percent of students receive financial aid.

8. Massanutten Military Academy

Average SAT Score: 1200 – 1250 The Massanutten Military Academy is located in Woodstock, Virginia. The premier boarding school is open to boys and girls. It prepares students for secondary education in a private setting. The challenging curriculum provides cadet development with strong academics. Its achievement in high SAT scores has allowed Massanutten Military Academy to get acknowledged as one of the top military schools in the country for decades now. Tuition is reasonable for a boarding school. Students from the United States average paying $29,000 per year for boarding and tuition. International students average paying $38,000 per year. Financial assistance is exceptional. The academy reports that 95 percent of students earn some type of financial aid, though the average grant is relatively low at $5,000.

9. St. Catherine’s Academy

Founded in 1889, St. Catherine’s Academy is a Catholic school with a military tradition for boys in kindergarten 8th grade. They provide young men with a faith-filled foundation for lifelong success. Their multifaceted program includes faith formation, all-boys academics, and a military tradition for leadership and self-motivation. They offer small classes, state-of-the-art technology, marching band, athletics, and much more. They welcome day and boarding students.  As the only Catholic grade school with a military tradition in the US, the school is so unique.

10. New Mexico Military Institute

Tuition: $13,700 The New Mexico Military Institute was established in 1891 and is the only state-supported co-ed military college prep boarding school in the United States. It supports grades 9 through 12. The New Mexico Military Institute is designed to provide military education and training to the youth at affordable prices. The academy is nationally recognized for its outstanding academic performance, leadership and character development, as well as physical fitness programs. The massive campus spans 300 acres and has a student body of nearly 900 students making it one of the larger military boarding schools in the country. Last year students only paid on average $13,700 for tuition and boarding. International students paid slightly higher. 9 in 10 students receive some type of financial aid with an average grant of $3,000.

11. Riverside Military Academy

Average SAT Score: 1300 – 1350 Riverside Military Academy is located about an hour north of Atlanta on a beautiful, 200+ acre campus. The college prep school offers boarding for students in grades 7 through 12. Riverside Military Academy has some of the highest reported median SAT scores in the country. Last year, the average SAT score for students at the military academy was 1323. However, the ACT median was much more average at only 20. The JROTC program at the academy is one of the most decorated in the nation. It has been designated as a JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction for over 80 years. It allows up to five cadets to get recommended each year to federal service academies. Tuition and boarding are moderately priced at Riverside Military Academy. The average domestic student pays approximately $38,000 per year. International students spend quite a bit higher at $43,600 per year. However, half of all students receive financial aid, and the grants are generous at approximately $15,000 or more.

12. St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy

Average SAT Score: Over 1500 St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy is a private, Christian military prep school. The co-ed institution is renowned for its high performance on college prep tests like the SAT and ACT. Students in attendance are in grades 7 through 12. The gorgeous 110-acre campus promotes academic focus along with building self-esteem and discipline. The average classroom size is only 12 students. Plenty of one-on-one interaction is provided for both boys and girls. There are currently about 270 students enrolled at the boarding school. Students average paying $39,000 per year on tuition, well below the national average. International students pay closer to $44,000 a year for boarding and tuition. Financial aid is available, however, only about one-fourth of students received any assistance in 2020. The average financial aid grant was $8,500. 

13. Fishburne Military School

Yearly Tuition-$58,050 Fishburne Military School offers young men from across the United States and around the world a structured, safe environment that strongly encourages honor, integrity, personal responsibility, and respect for everyone. With robust academics that focus upon STEM and university preparation, Fishburne Military School features small classes where students from all cultures exchange ideas. Highly respected, award-winning athletics program where everyone plays.  Only two and a half hours drive from Washington DC, Fishburne Military School is located in the beautiful, safe, Shenandoah Valley of Virginia close to major highways and airports. The Corps of Cadets at Fishburne Military School is recognized by the US Army JROTC Cadet Command as an Honor Unit With Distinction.

14. Hargrave Military Academy

Hargrave makes a boy’s development personal by investing in skills and relationships that will last a lifetime. Your son will be exposed to the “How to Study” program and build relationships with everyone who interacts with him, including classmates, staff, coaches, teachers. They turn potential into opportunity while challenging a student to give his best effort in all things. Upon graduation, their cadets feel a genuine sense of accomplishment and are well prepared to face the challenges of college and life.

15. Robert Land Academy

Located in Ontario`s Niagara Region, Robert Land Academy is Canada’s only private military-style boarding school for boys in grades 5 through 12. Founded in 1978, Robert Land Academy has developed a strong reputation as an ideal choice for boys who may be exhibiting difficulties with motivation and self-discipline. Regardless of individual circumstances, the military model provides the structure and discipline necessary for these boys to recognize academic success and encourages them such that they can build self-confidence, have respect for themselves and others, and realize their true potential. Within the first semester of enrolment, 95% of new students experience a dramatic improvement in their academic performance, and 100% of Robert Land Academy’s graduates who apply to university or college are accepted into their program of choice.

Conclusion

Military school for kids is a type of high school that includes military cadet education and so are a form of military academy. They are found in a number of countries and offer a regular high school education but with an extra curriculum of military training. This article listed 15 top military schools for kids in USA. The only free military schools available are those that are part of the public school system. Every military school in the United States has its own acceptance requirements. The norm is between the grades of 6 to 8. So that would place students between the ages of 12 and 15. It does depend on the academy. Yes, absolutely. All military schools in the United States offer some type of financial assistance. The number of recipients and amount of grant money varies widely based on its endowment, among other factors.

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