Should Your Teen Go to a Military Boarding School?

That depends on a number of things. Before you consider sending your teen to a military boarding school, you need to understand the old ways no longer exist. Military schools were once for the development of boys wanting a career in the military. Today that is no longer the case.

Of course there are boys who go to a military school and then move to the military but there have been many changes to the process in recent times.

First military boarding schools are as much for girls as they are for boys and there is no expectation that students will automatically enter the military.

If you as the parent are planning on sending your son or daughter to a military boarding school, you should be aware of certain facts. These schools are usually privately owned and their success, their very existence, depends almost totally on their results and good reputation. Today’s military schools concentrate on high academic results for all students and that is why most parents send their child to such a school.

If your teen has an illness or condition which needs therapy, you are probably looking at the wrong type of educational institution. If your teen has a drug or alcohol problem, a police record or a series anti-social form of behavior, you will have about a zero chance of any military boarding school accepting your child.

These schools concentrate on academic studies, have small class sizes and thus excellent staff student ratios and even provide additional study sessions outside of normal class times. The goal is to get as high an academic result as possible and thus be able to tell the world what a brilliant institution their military boarding school is. Remember too that the students are supervised on a 24/7 basis so there is far less opportunity to go off the rails.

The ideal potential student for one of these schools is student who is good or okay academically and needs to be pushed, or someone who is not proactive and tends to let life drift by. The discipline in a military boarding school is strong and relentless. But it also gives young people a chance to show leadership. The development of a good character is a hallmark of these schools. Pride in yourself, your community and country are at the core of each school’s philosophy.

You will never waste your money because these schools have a constant monitoring program and as soon as a drop off in application occurs, the student will be directed to a better type of behavior. Parents are kept advised of all test results and the progress of their child.

Of course academic studies and no play make for an incomplete education and most of these schools offer first rate sporting, outdoor education and creative arts programs. They really suit teens who are good students and who want to do better. The chances of your son or daughter being accepted into a prestigious college or university are enhanced by attending a military boarding school.