Free military schools offer a structured learning environment for troubled youth, fostering character development, improved morale, enhanced self-confidence, and greater independence. These institutions serve as a positive influence on students who may have faced challenging circumstances at home.
This article will present a list of ten free military schools designed to support troubled youth. It is essential to review these options carefully.
The free military schools featured in our list maintain high consistency and organization. Daily activities are meticulously planned, strict adherence to rules is expected, clear expectations are set, and consequences for actions are consistently applied.
Table of Contents
- 1. Military Schools Instill Discipline
- 1. Carver Military Academy
- 2. Delaware Military Academy
- 3. Chicago Military Academy
- 4. Virginia Military Institute
- 5. Phoenix STEM Military Academy
- 6. Franklin Military Academy
- 7. Georgia Military Academy
- 8. Sarasota Military Academy
- 9. North Valley Military Institute
- How to Apply to Free Military Schools for Troubled Youth
Are there free military Academies in the US?
Military schools offer a comprehensive education for individuals aspiring to serve their nation while securing a tuition-free college degree. Moreover, they deliver an outstanding educational experience that justifies the investment.
The academic curriculum at military academies is both challenging and rigorous, equipping students with the skills needed to thrive in the real world. It emphasizes holistic education, character development, and leadership. Cadets receive thorough training in fields such as mathematics, science, and history, with opportunities to explore elective subjects like music and art appreciation. Beyond undergraduate studies, many cadets further their education by pursuing graduate studies in disciplines like law, medicine, and engineering.
ALSO READ: 38 Best Military Schools for Girls Around the World
Why should I attend a free military Academy for troubled youth?
Many people are misinformed about military schools. There is a misconception that military schools are only for troubled youth who are juvenile delinquents and that corporal punishment is an essential component of the controlled program. The primary goal of most military schools is to create a healthy, patriotic, and stimulating environment where students are motivated to reach their full potential.
Here are some reasons why you should attend a free military school:
1. Military Schools Instill Discipline
When you think of military school, discipline is the first thing that comes to mind. In fact, discipline is the cornerstone of military education, but it does not always mean severity. Order is created by discipline. Order produces results. Anyone who has achieved success knows that discipline is one of the keys to achieving it.
2. Military schools help build character
Character traits often lacking in a student’s public school education are developed in military institutions. These characteristics include sincerity, self-control, drive, initiative, courage, and confidence. Military personnel employed by these institutions have spent their careers perfecting the methods necessary to foster moral character in others. Students are taught under his guidance how to make wise judgments and deal with the consequences of wrong actions.
3. They teach students the benefits of teamwork.
The day-to-day in a military school focuses on developing leadership skills and teamwork. Students are taught to follow the initial step in the leadership experience, which progresses to roles that place students in positions of responsibility.
In a military school, students not only study collaboration but also put it into practice daily. Because they live together, they must cooperate as a team to achieve unit goals.
4. They Produce Distinguished Graduates
Military schools are known to produce first-class graduates who have been successful in almost every other aspect of life.
5. Everything is structured
A structured environment offers a high degree of organization and predictability. Activities are planned for each day, rules are consistently followed, expectations are clarified, and consequences are recognized.
Military school students attach great importance to schedules and regulations. On a set schedule, they get up, eat, go to class, play sports, do their homework, and go to bed.
10 Free Military Schools for Troubled Youth
Below is a list of the Top 10 Free Military Schools for Troubled Youth:
- Carver Military Academy
- Delaware Military Academy
- Chicago Military Academy
- Virginia Military Institute
- Phoenix Military STEM Academy
- Franklin Military Academy
- Georgian Military Academy
- Sarasota military academy
- North Valley Military Institute
- California Military Institute
1. Carver Military Academy
Carver Military School is a coeducational public institution established in 1947 in Chicago. All Carver Military Academy cadets receive a rigorous, research-based college preparatory curriculum that encourages lifelong learning. The educational environment at the school offers individualized academic support. The military education paradigm encourages leadership and equips all cadets to be self-sufficient and engaged citizens.
It takes four years to complete training at this military school. In addition, it is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
2. Delaware Military Academy
Continuing our exploration of military schools for troubled youth, we turn our attention to the Delaware Military Academy.
Established in 2003, the Delaware Military Academy stands as the inaugural charter high school in the United States dedicated to upholding the customs, principles, and ideals of the US Navy. While academic excellence remains a cornerstone of any educational institution, DMA’s distinctive forte lies in its emphasis on leadership.
Cadets at DMA receive their education within a meticulously organized, traditional military school environment, strongly emphasizing cultivating self-discipline, motivation, and engagement in activities that equip them to become valuable contributors to an ever-evolving technological society.
The academy’s comprehensive approach spans leadership development, extracurricular involvement, and academic pursuits, nurturing the virtues of honor, discipline, and integrity. This holistic educational experience ensures that, upon completion of their training, cadets are well-prepared to embark on a journey of lifelong academic, personal, and professional success following their graduation.
3. Chicago Military Academy
The Chicago Military Academy in Bronzeville prepares cadets for college and post-secondary success through a rigorous, relevant, and technology-infused college preparatory curriculum. Cadets gain practical academic and leadership skills through the military model, which provides a culture and structure for success in social, emotional, and educational endeavors.
By the end of the program, cadets are better equipped for college, the workforce, and global citizenship. In addition, struggling students become life-long learners with increased inquiry skills from a rigorous and relevant standards-based college preparatory curriculum.
4. Virginia Military Institute
The Virginia Military Institute (VMI), the first state-funded military college in the US, was established in 1839. The integrity, fairness, and appreciation of the importance of effort instilled in the Institute are reflected in the daily lives of the leaders and individuals that VMI has produced throughout its storied history.
VMI provides an excellent education for those seeking a freshman experience that is more comprehensive, transformative, and flexible in its applications than what a military service academy can provide.
Since 2001, VMI has been listed as one of the top public undergraduate Liberal arts colleges in the country by US News & World Report.
Its cadets are open to various perspectives, such as leadership courses and military training. It takes four years to complete this program.
5. Phoenix Military STEM Academy
Phoenix Military Academy is dedicated to nurturing its students into exemplary leaders and responsible citizens, equipping them with a profound comprehension of the prerequisites for triumph in higher education institutions of distinction, including prestigious universities, colleges, and service academies.
The Phoenix faculty actively fosters students’ development across various domains, encompassing leadership, character, citizenship, service, and academic excellence.
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6. Franklin Military Academy
Established in 1980, Franklin, the nation’s first public military school, offers an alternative to the standard high school curriculum. The Franklin program allows all students to participate in a Junior Reserve Officer Training Program while following a regular academic course.
Students at Franklin Military School benefit from a robust military-style discipline curriculum. The program offers teach-to-student ratios of 15:1 and personalized instruction.
For one class time, Military Science is open to all students. The remaining classes on a child’s calendar are academic courses. Spanish, French, Advanced Placement Statistics, Business and Information Technology, Art, Band, Guitar, and Choir are additional electives students may enroll in.
Students are encouraged to take advantage of the additional educational and cultural opportunities provided by Richmond Public Schools and the neighborhood.
7. Georgia Military Academy
Since its establishment in 1879, GMC has provided the best education for students, preparing them for success.
George Military College creates informed students who grow to become socially responsible leaders who support intellectual and moral growth.
A two-year liberal arts-based undergraduate program is available to undergraduate students, supporting the achievement of an associate’s degree and preparing students for transfer to four-year institutions of higher learning. The GMC also offers an educational and leadership development component for select college students joining the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and high school students (k–12) joining the Junior ROTC program.
8. Sarasota Military Academy
Imagine a place where troubled youth find their path to success. Established in sunny Florida in 2002, the Sarasota Military Academy (SMA) stands as a beacon of hope. It’s not just a school; it’s a transformative journey. SMA, a non-profit institution with two distinct campuses, caters to students in grades 6-12, offering an exceptional blend of academics, character-building, and leadership development.
Our mission at this tuition-free military school is clear: to empower cadets with the skills, values, and knowledge needed for a future brimming with productivity and fulfillment.
SMA stands apart by putting the learner at the center of it all. We believe in nurturing learner agency, fostering multiple literacies, and tackling real-world challenges head-on. It’s not just education; it’s an adventure towards a brighter tomorrow.
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9. North Valley Military Institute
Nestled in California’s history, North Valley Military Institute (NVMI) boasts a legacy from 1924. It has always been more than just a school; it’s a transformative haven for troubled teenagers seeking a brighter path. At NVMI, we’ve earned our stripes as experts in guiding students with academic and behavioral challenges toward responsible citizenship.
This exceptional private military school, which comes at no cost to families, opens up a world of possibilities for troubled youth. From courses on gun safety to delving into military history, NVMI provides a rich and unique learning experience.
For those eager to unravel the intricacies of military culture and how it relates to their own lives, NVMI is the place to be. And here’s the kicker: our institution offers students the chance to earn college credit for their hard work.
But that’s not all! Beyond military education and leadership development, NVMI offers a diverse array of courses and tailored training, ensuring a holistic and enriching educational journey. It’s more than a school; it’s a launchpad to a brighter future.
10. California Military Institute
California’s time-honored military tradition originates at the esteemed California Military Institute (CMI). Way back in 1868, the visionary General William Tecumseh Sherman laid the foundation, originally designed to train future US Army and Navy officers. Over the years, CMI has evolved into a multifaceted institution, encompassing a boarding school catering to young minds aged 11-18 and a comprehensive academic program tailored for non-military students.
Here at CMI, the educational spectrum is broad and inclusive. From military studies to the art of leadership development, rigorous physical education and athletics, and an array of other subjects, our institution offers a diverse array of more than 50 different courses. Students can explore various topics, including Spanish language and culture, family life, history, engineering, computer science, game creation, and more. It’s an educational voyage that knows no bounds.
How to Apply to Free Military Schools for Troubled Youth
Securing admission to one of the free military schools presents a formidable challenge. While some admission prerequisites, such as transcripts, GPA, letters of recommendation, and writing samples, mirror the requirements of conventional universities, even meeting these minimum standards is arduous. Most military schools, for instance, mandate an SAT score of 1300 or an ACT score of 30. Moreover, they place a premium on applicants having completed challenging coursework like AP or International Baccalaureate courses.
If your aspiration is to attend a military academy like West Point, be prepared for a distinct admissions process. Firstly, you must complete the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test. This test serves as a pivotal assessment tool across all branches of the US Military, aiding in evaluating an individual’s suitability for enlistment.
In addition to the rigorous and competitive nature of the admissions process, there’s a crucial requirement shared among all military institutions except the Coast Guard Academy: an Act of Congress, or more precisely, a Congressional nomination. A nomination by a House of Representatives or Senate member accounts for 75% of admissions to these academies. Furthermore, the Vice President also holds the authority to make nominations, limited to a maximum of five candidates for each position at any given time within a military academy. It’s worth noting that only the offspring of professional military officers are eligible for presidential nominations, which have no set limit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Free Military Schools For Troubled Youth
Is military school free in the United States?
Military colleges are free for residents because students are trained to serve the country.
How long do you stay in military school?
The maximum obligation to attend military school is 36 months. TRS requirements for special training or professional development programs may differ from those prescribed for military school attendance.
What is the age requirement for military school?
Applicants must meet the minimum entry age requirement of 17 with parental consent or 18 without parental consent.
Is the Military Academy difficult?
The academics at the service academies are incredibly challenging.
Conclusion
Sending your ward to a military school for his problems is a significant turning point and the beginning of greatness. This is because military school instills character, morals, and educational values that help students live a socially responsible life.
