Military School Info

Thanks to military style behavior modification boot camps and embellishment from Hollywood, many people do not realize that military schools are actually designed as challenging academic programs for teenagers who are interested in achievement and success.

Before you write off military school for your teen, you should first learn the truth about these 5 military school myths.

1. Military school is for delinquents

This is perhaps the biggest misconception about military school. Military school is not for delinquents. In fact, teenagers with severe behavioral problems are not admitted into military schools. Military style boot camps designed to reform delinquents are completely different from actual military schools. Military school is an environment of achievement and reform. It is meant for those who are willing to work hard to succeed.

2. Students in military school are in “lockdown”, without outside social interaction

Many assume that a military school is a “lockdown” situation, in which students have little contact with the outside world. This is not true at all. Students are encouraged to communicate with friends and family, and they are allowed to attend church services as needed, as well as participate in other off campus activities. In all-girls and all-boys military schools, there are often regular mixers with other institutions so that there is the chance for social interaction.

3. Military learning, issues and techniques dominate the curriculum at military schools

While military schools do often include time for drilling and classes on military history and strategy, that is not all that goes on. Military schools carry a full curriculum of classes in the social sciences, physical sciences, arts, humanities and other subjects you expect to see at other high schools. Additionally, most military schools offer sports, performance arts, music and other extracurricular activities for student participation. Students can get a full education at military, from a curriculum that is often a little more challenging than what they would otherwise get in an ordinary public high school.

4. Attending military school guarantees your teen a place in one of the military academies

Many families hope that their teens can get into one of the military academies as a result of attending military high school. While attending military school can give you an edge, the truth is that attending military high school does not automatically result in a place at a military academy. The standards at such academies are exacting, and you have to meet them. If someone from a non-military high school excels, he or she will be accepted over someone who performs at a mediocre level at a military high school. It is not a ticket in.

Additionally, you may not even be accepted into the military just because you went to a military high school. While recruitment officers view military high school attendance favorably, it does not always mean that you will be accepted into a branch of military service. Indeed, you have a better chance of getting into the officer training fast track if you go to college and get a four year degree after attending high school.

5.  A military school’s staff is often composed of disgruntled officers

In actuality, military school staff members are often officers who have retired after years of good service. Most headmasters and headmistresses are retired from active service, but still want to be involved in the military community. They find it an important duty to aid in the education of teenagers. Most of them are styled superintendent or commandant, after military nomenclature. Other staff members are also often involved somehow in the military, either as reservists or retirees. Some teachers at military schools might not even have a military or law enforcement background at all. The primary focus is on providing a good education, not getting rid of disgruntled, egotistic officers.

Bottom line: Military school can be a good place for teens to get a good education while learning the value of discipline and good health and wellness habits. It is also a place to learn leadership and communication skills that can help later in life, whether or not your teen goes advances to a career in the military.