Military High School

[alaskamom]

We are considering military-style boarding school for our (current) high school freshman. Is there any quantifiable link between military high school and Service Academy admissions? Our son aspires to an Academy and we are looking for best routes outside of local schools. TIA

 

[KiwiBird]

We are considering military-style boarding school for our (current) high school freshman. Is there any quantifiable link between military high school and Service Academy admissions? Our son aspires to an Academy and we are looking for best routes outside of local schools. TIA

I'm a current applicant to a few SA's myself, so I don't really know much, but something that other people have said to consider is the purpose of the boarding school. If it is a school mainly for punishment, that should have some weight in your decision. That might reflect negatively on his application. Good luck to your son!

 

[MidCakePa]

I don’t know anything about military high schools. So I’ll come at this as a fellow parent with a DD who received offers of appointment to three SAs, and a DS who’s awaiting his own SA decisions.

If you’re looking for a military school that might give him an edge in terms of SA admissions, there may not be such a sure thing. There may be some military schools that send a disproportionate number of grads to SAs, but that might be less causal and more coincidental (i.e. students with strong military interest self-select into those schools). In any case, I’m not sure choosing a high school because it’s believed to confer some SA admissions advantage is a very good idea.

If for whatever reason you’re looking to go outside your local public school, I’d suggest finding whatever school will allow your son to thrive the most in terms of academics, athletics and leadership. May be a parochial school, a private prep, a magnet school, a charter school, a military school. And even home school, which is what many cadets/mids have done.

Ultimately the SAs want to know, regardless of the kind of school, that the candidate took the most challenging courses available and excelled at them. And they want to know that the candidate is prepared for the academic rigors unique to SAs. So again, whatever school brings out the very best for your son — that’s where he should go.

DD went to middle school at a small Catholic all-girls school with high-end academics, athletics and arts. If not for a job-related move, she would’ve done high school there too. After our move, she ended up at a small non-denominational coed private school. In many ways it was quite similar to her prior school, but also very different. But this much I know: Regardless of which high school she attended, she would’ve ended up exactly where she is now — USNA. And that’s because, without a bit of military connection, each school brought out the very best in her.

 

[SF_DAD]

I would recommend against a military high school. It would certainly give a leg up for basic military skills but it would take away from important socialization.
It’s hard to explain but here goes...
I’m an OCS guy and I can tell you that back in the late 80’s and early 90’s it was very apparent which 2LT’s were from OCS, ROTC, and SA’s. The majority of the SA Lieutenants were behind their peers with social skills (what to do and how to act with free time and weekends off). It took them about 6 months to relax and have normal interaction. It was almost like they had been locked up for 4 years and then cut loose with a hefty monthly paycheck! I’m not saying it was a bad thing, only that it required a significant adjustment by the “ring knockers”.
In my opinion a military high school would only exacerbate this and turn it into a 8 year challenge.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[SF_Treat]

I don’t know if you are taking about Culver or not, but I just look at the university matriculations, and all SAs were listed. I know kids who go there and they are not troubled or socially awkward at all.

 

[Dapper Dan]

I went to Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, VA during the mid 80's and absolutely loved it(my choice to go fyi). Some go because they are forced others because they are exposed to the opportunity. If you have a student interested in going I would strongly suggest in visiting several because there is a huge difference from one school to another. Also there are different branches of military schools, so check on that as well. I had so many wonderful experiences at Hargrave, and would strongly recommend a military school to kids that want to go over pushing a student to go. Good Luck

 

[Military MOMx2]

Mom of three sons who went to/currently attend nationally recognized all-male, college prep, military school in the midwest. Have a DS at USMA now and potentially another son as well. We've been told numerous times these schools are well-known to SAs given the preparation they receive through the military aspect of the school. They are part of companies, march, follow a chain of command, gain leadership skills (promotions) based on performance, etc. Leadership is part of this school and I'm sure others like it. Competition is part of this school and they push each other and hold each other accountable, like the true military. They have been one of the few schools open during this pandemic with very few cases this year. They wear uniforms and get haircuts, shine their shoes, etc without being told. I would highly recommend this environment for the right kid, though not for everyone. People ask if my sons want to go into the military because of the school and for me it's a yes/no answer. Yes, because they like the structure but the school is not "pushing" a life in the military. They have always had a strong love-of-country from our own family environment so if your son already has some of these traits it may be a great fit.

 

[Humey]

I would recommend against a military high school. It would certainly give a leg up for basic military skills but it would take away from important socialization.
It’s hard to explain but here goes...
I’m an OCS guy and I can tell you that back in the late 80’s and early 90’s it was very apparent which 2LT’s were from OCS, ROTC, and SA’s. The majority of the SA Lieutenants were behind their peers with social skills (what to do and how to act with free time and weekends off). It took them about 6 months to relax and have normal interaction. It was almost like they had been locked up for 4 years and then cut loose with a hefty monthly paycheck! I’m not saying it was a bad thing, only that it required a significant adjustment by the “ring knockers”.
In my opinion a military high school would only exacerbate this and turn it into a 8 year challenge.

Just my 2 cents.

My son who commissioned AFRotc says they make fun of the academy guys (in a good way and he lived with one for several months). That includes some of their higher ranking officers who also do so. He said they seem lost at first because they didnt have four years to deal with civilians matters like renting an apartment and such. Also at least with the pilots, it is way more casual enviroment so they come from a more strict regiment and now are in a more relaxed atmosphere. . I am sure the academy grads return the favor.

 

[Dapper Dan]

. He said they seem lost at first because they didnt have four years to deal with civilians matters like renting an apartment and such.

Aren't we talking about a High School Academy and not a college academy?

 

[Humey]

Aren't we talking about a High School Academy and not a college academy?

Yes but i was responding to this comment

"it was very apparent which 2LT’s were from OCS, ROTC, and SA’s. The majority of the SA Lieutenants were behind their peers with social skills (what to do and how to act with free time and weekends off). It took them about 6 months to relax and have normal interaction"

 

[unkown1961]

The best route is to take the most rigorous courses available, do sports, stay in shape, get involved in non-athletic activities (e.g., debate, senate, drama, Boy Scouts, etc.), and be a well-rounded person. All of this can be achieved at a local school and you don't sacrifice time with your kid during these formative years - that's something you can't get back.
Also, kids change their minds (all three of mine did and ended up doing ROTC). And going to a non-military high school might expose him to all options and he can be assured that the Academy route is truly what he wants.
Finally, consider that your son will not have a regular college experience at an Academy, so you might want to let him have a regular school experience and social life during his high school years.
Good luck!

 

[dfksdklfsd]

it is way more casual enviroment so they come from a more strict regiment and now are in a more relaxed atmosphere. .