2017 RANKING & REVIEWS
TOP RANKING BOYS OR GIRLS MILITARY SCHOOLS
What is the Best Boys and Girls Military School to Help Provide Discipline?
When you first hear of someone sending their child off to a military school for boys or girls, it can sound like a harsh last resort. But that isn’t necessarily so. A girls and boys military school can actually provide an excellent education and the structure that helps many children reach their full potential.
It’s true that a military school for troubled boys or girls can have a reputation for straightening up youth and helping keep them out of trouble when no one else can. But these paid and free military schools for boys and girls also can prepare them for college or a successful career in the military.
You might be looking up “military schools near me” and wondering if there are any that aren’t boarding schools, and if they’re affordable.
Award Emblem: Top 6 Best American Military School
You’ll be happy to know that you can find an American military school that’s free. There are several public schools that are a military school for girls and boys and where they come home each night just like any other school.
On our top 6 list, we are going to cover four schools that are free military schools for troubled boys and girls, and two private and paid that you’d find when looking for a boarding boys military school.
In our FAQ, we are also going to cover some institutions that come up when you search “military school for boys near me” or “military schools near me for girls,” these aren’t full-on military, but have similarly structured style and are specifically meant to help troubled teens.
AdvisoryHQ’s List of the Top 6 Best American Military Schools
List is sorted alphabetically (click any of the school names below to go directly to the detailed review section for that school):
- Air Force Academy High School
- California Military Institute
- Camden Military Academy
- Carver Military Academy
- Francis Marion Military Academy
- Lyman Ward Military Academy
Top 6 Best Boys and Girls Military School | Brief Comparison & Ranking
Best Military Academy School Names | Paid or Free Military Schools for Troubled Boys & Girls | Military School for Girls, Boys, or Both? | School Location |
| Air Force Academy High School | Free | Both | Chicago, IL |
| California Military Institute | Free | Both | Perris, CA |
| Camden Military Academy | Paid | Boys | Camden, SC |
| Carver Military Academy | Free | Both | Chicago, IL |
| Francis Marion Military Academy | Free | Both | Ocala, FL |
| Lyman Ward Military Academy | Paid | Boys | Camp Hill, AL |
Best Military Academy FAQ | What Are Other Types of Troubled Teen Schools?
Some parents might search on “military schools near me” but actually want to find help for their troubled teen in a little less military style environment. They may also want some specialized counseling help for their child that some of free military schools for troubled boys or girls might not offer.
There are several schools like this, some are formatted more closely to a military school for troubled boys and girls, and some forego some of the military architecture.
So, in addition to the top 6 list of the best American military school, here are a few other schools that are specifically designed to help troubled teens.
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Agape Boarding School
When you’re searching “military school for boys near me” and you live in Missouri, Agape Boarding School is one that comes up on the first page. It’s not technically an American military school, but it operates just like a military school for troubled boys.
Discovery Academy
Discovery Academy is further from the structure of a military school for boys or girls. It is, however, a school that’s been around for over two decades and specializes in offering troubled girls and boys a chance to turn their lives around and discover their full potential.
Liahona Academy
If you’re looking for a therapeutic boarding school for teen boys struggling with behavior issues, then Liahona Academy is very close to a military school for troubled boys. They are well-structured, and also have licensed therapists on hand.
Wings of Faith Academy
Wings of Faith Academy is a Christian boarding school for stuggling girls. While it may not be a military school for girls, it offers an environment for girls between 8-17 years of age who need guidance in a nurting and encouraging environment.
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Best Military Academy FAQ | What Can I Expect from Paid or Free Military Schools for Troubled Boys or Girls?
If you’re not familiar with a military environment or even the JROTC programs offered in high school, then you may wonder what to expect from paid or free military schools for boys and girls.
Yes, they generally do have extensive experience with helping troubled teens learn discipline and get their behavior under control, but there are several other benefits from attending a girls or boys military school.
Things your child will learn from a boys or girls military school:
- Working with a team
- How to be a leader
- Daily scheduling and self-discipline
- The importance of manners
- Pride in one’s accomplishments
- College prep and academics
- Attention to detail
- Caring about others
- The importance of earning respect
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Detailed Review – Top Ranking Boys and Girls Military School Choices
Below, please find a detailed review of each school on our list of the best military academy. We have highlighted some of the factors that allowed these great American military school choices to score so highly in our selection ranking.
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Air Force Academy High School Review
The first of the free military schools for boys and girls on our list is the Air Force Academy High School. It is the only public Air Force high school of its kind in the country.
This military school for boys and girls is one of six free military schools for troubled boys or girls that is part of the Chicago Public Schools. The school is located near the south loop in Chicago, neighboring White Sox Field.
Best Boys or Girls Military School | At a Glance
Here are a few statistics from Niche.com
- Student to Teacher Ratio: 16:1
- Average graduation rate: 92%
- Average ACT score: 20
- Advanced Placement (AP) Enrollment: 15%
Highlights That Make the Air Force Academy High School Stand Out on Our List of Best Military Academy Options
Plenty of Extracurricular Choices
Not all free military schools for boys and girls have a large choice of extracurricular activities, but the Air Force Academy High School definitely has plenty of options to keep your son or daughter engaged and having fun.
This is one of the girls and boys military school choices where there are several sports teams to choose from, like archery, basketball, and soccer. They also have fun clubs like robotics, debate, and drama.
Great Scholarship Options
If you’ve been searching, “military school for boys near me” and worried that they’re not going to give your child the post high school education chances they need, then you don’t have to worry with the Air Force Academy High School.
They can hook your child up with several scholarship options to continue their education after finishing this military school for girls and boys.
California Military Institute Review
Another great one of the free military schools for troubled boys and girls is located about two hours southeast of Los Angeles in Perris, CA, the California Military Institute. This is a public boys and girls military school located in the Perris Union High School District.
This charter American military school serves students in the 5th-12th grades and was designed to combine the military-style structure with excellent academics and educational challenges.
Best Boys or Girls Military School | At a Glance
Here are a few statistics from Niche.com
- Student to Teacher Ratio: 24:1
- Average graduation rate: 92%
- Average ACT score: 23
- Advanced Placement (AP) Enrollment: 15%
Highlights That Make California Military Institute Stand Out on Our List of Best Military Academy Options
Educational Equity
This is one of the free military schools for boys and girls that operates with a policy of inclusiveness. As part of the Perris Union High School District they foster the goals that:
- All students will attain proficiency in all academic areas
- All students will graduate from high school prepared for post-secondary and career goals
- All departments will provide a safe and positive environment for all students
- The school will secure and strengthen home-school-community connections and communications
Enjoy Drills & Ceremonies
Who said being in an American military school couldn’t also be fun? At the California Military Institute students learn how to perform in drills and ceremonies as part of the curriculum.
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Camden Military Academy Review
This next school on our list, Camden Military Academy, is a private tuition-based boys military school and it has an exceptional reputation for being the best military academy in the southeast that is also a boarding school.
This military school for boys has a rich history that began back in 1892, with operations at the current campus in Camden, South Carolina since 1958. This is a military school for troubled boys that is known for building strength and character.
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Best Military Academy| At a Glance
Here are a few statistics from Niche.com and BoardingSchoolReview.com
- Student to Teacher Ratio: 7:1
- Average graduation rate: Not listed
- Average ACT score: 24
- Advanced Placement (AP) courses offered: 18
- Annual tuition: $25,290
Highlights That Make Camden Military Academy Stand Out on Our List of Best Military Academy Options
Excellent Word of Mouth
Whether you’re reading testimonials on Camden’s website or on one of the other boarding school review websites, people say over and over again that this is the best American military school to help turn around struggling young men.
While it may not be one of the free military schools for troubled boys, their tuition is among one of the more affordable for a boarding school, and they do offer loan programs.
Strong Focus on Academics
When you’re looking for the “best military school for boys near me” and are worried that most may be focused more on behavior than college prep, you need not worry with this school. They put a big emphasis on their college preparatory academic program and offer honors and dual enrollment college courses.
Carver Military Academy Review
Carver Military Academy is another one of the free military schools for troubled boys and girls, or those that just want a military style education, that are part of the Chicago Public Schools.
If you’ve wondered why when searching “free military schools near me” several years ago not much came up, it’s because they are relatively new. In 2000, Carver was the very first existing public high school in the nation to convert to a public American military school.
Best Boys or Girls Military School | At a Glance
Here are a few statistics from Niche.com
- Student to Teacher Ratio: 17:1
- Average graduation rate: 95%
- Average ACT score: 19
- Advanced Placement (AP) Enrollment: 17%
Highlights That Make Carver Military Academy Stand Out on Our List of Best Military Academy Options
AP and Dual Credit Options
If you’re looking for a boys and girls military school that can give your child both disciplined learning and a leg up on their college education, then you’ll love the AP classes and dual credit options there.
Dual credit classes allow a student to take college courses for credit while attending this American military school. They offer:
- Dual Credit English
- AP English Lanugage
- AP Spanish Language
- AP Spanish Literature
- Dual Credit History
- Dual Credit Biology
Service Learning
Before graduating students are required to complete 40 hours of Service Learning, and that doesn’t mean cleaning up roads. This is a boys and girls military school that engages students in projects that serve the community and build their social and academic capacities at the same time.
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Francis Marion Military Academy Review
Francis Marion Military Academy describes itself as a college preparatory charter school. It is another of the free military schools for troubled boys and girls that is tuition free.
This is the best military academy to attend in central Florida that emphasizes preparing your student for college. They have a dual credit program in coordination with College of Central Florida that allows students of this boys and girls military school to earn college credits before high school graduation.
Best Boys or Girls Military School | At a Glance
Here are a few statistics from Niche.com
- Student to Teacher Ratio: 11:1
- Average graduation rate: 65%
- Average ACT score: 18
- Advanced Placement (AP) Enrollment: 1%
Highlights That Make Francis Marion Military Academy Stand Out on Our List of Best Military Academy Options
Emphasis on STEM
If you’re worried that one of the free military schools for troubled boys or girls won’t give your child the background in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), then Francis Marion will put your mind at ease.
This is a zero tuition boys and girls military school that is all about rigorous core curriculum and provides a STEM emphasis, including an Aerospace themed program.
A Choice of JROTC Clubs and Activities
JROTC is about more than just marching in step, this is an American military school that provides a full array of different JROTC activities that should appeal to just about any student. They include:
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Lyman Ward Military Academy Review
The final American military school on our list is another of the paid tuition schools with a stellar reputation as great military school for troubled boys, Lyman Ward Military Academy in Alabama.
This one is not a girls military school, it’s for boys only. It was founded over a century ago, in 1898, as a non-denominational, non-profit school. Once the military department was added after 1948, it became an American military school.
Best Military Academy| At a Glance
Here are a few statistics from PrivateSchoolReview.com
- Student to Teacher Ratio: 11:1
- Average graduation rate: Not listed
- Average ACT score: Not listed
- Annual tuition non-resident: 7 day boarding $24,625; 5 day boarding $17,600
Highlights That Make Lyman Ward Military Academy Stand Out on Our List of Best Military Academy Options
Summer Programs
If you’re not yet sure about sending your child to a full time boys or girls military school, Lyman Ward offers a chance for you to send your son for a test trial for either Summer School, Military Leadership Camp, or Adventure Camp.
While these aren’t short programs, they are fairly affordable. Prices range from $1,800 to $3,300, depending upon the program.
You Get to Ride Horses
This is an American military school that may be over 100 years old, but they continue to add new programs. In June 2017, they announced the creation of a new calvary detachment designed to inspire, teach compassion, and train cadets on basic horsemanship and riding skills.
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Conclusion – Top 6 Best Boys or Girls Military School
Paid or free military schools for troubled boys or girls offer a lot of character building benefits beyond just helping straighten out struggling youth. Besides providing a disciplined environment, a boys or girls military school can offer excellent academics and college preparation.
With many public school districts now offering the choice to attend free military schools for troubled boys and girls, it makes it easier for parents to afford to send their child to the best military academy in their area, and still get to have them living at home.
But if you are interested in a full boarding experience with a paid American military school, there are plenty of great options and many offer loans, scholarships, or tuition assistance to help parents afford their boys or girls military school.
So, if you’re stuggling yourself with the decision to send your child to one of the free military schools for troubled boys or girls, just know that you have options between full boarding, day boys or girls military school, or even shorter summer camps to try out the experience.
The most important thing about the best military academy you can find for your child, is that it will not only teach them self-discipline but also character building, responsibility, and teamwork to help them reach their full potential.
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