15 Best Military Schools For Boys In USA

Military schools for boys in the United States are educational academies that, however, prepare applicants for officer corps service.

It usually delivers education in a military setting, with the specific meaning varying by country. Military schools, with their rich history and promising future, are, therefore, essentially a one-of-a-kind educational alternative to traditional college preparatory programs.

Military schools include military themes in their courses in addition to a strong academic basis. Students gain vital skills that will help them succeed not only in college but throughout their lives, all in a secure and supportive environment.

What is a military school?

Military schools are known for producing independent thinkers, accountable leaders, and active citizens. They are high-quality, reputable educational institutions.

Military schools, often known as military prep schools or military academies, also provide a college preparatory curriculum for students in grades 6 through 12. There are, however, a few military schools for elementary-aged children, but they are few and far between.

In addition, while military schools have traditionally been for boys due to military heritage, many are now coeducational. There is a religious component to several military schools.

Military schools are, however, not intended for disturbed teenagers, contrary to popular opinion. They will not tolerate males or girls who cause disruptions on campus or in the classroom.

Why enroll your son in a military school?

Military schools have always been a popular choice among parents, and they have lately expanded to include college prep programs.

Academic standards in these schools have risen, and military schools are even more selective in their application selection than they were previously.

Military schools are chosen by families for a variety of reasons. So, whether you want to help your child develop self-esteem or lifelong leadership skills, today’s military schools provide both challenges and opportunities.

Furthermore, despite the distinctions among military schools, they all share a common goal.

Students at military schools are held to a high academic level and are expected to meet and exceed them. Respect, teamwork, and how to succeed in all aspects of life are also taught to them.

Furthermore, pupils carry the ideals they acquire in military school with them for the rest of their lives.

Benefits for Enrolling Your Child in a Military School

Here are five important, lifelong benefits for enrolling your child in a military school.

Students Learn Leadership Skills: One of the basic ways military boarding schools teach leadership, however, is by modeling it. Here, many instructors and adult leaders have strong military backgrounds, having themselves served as leaders in the United States Armed Forces.
So, these experienced role models mentor the students, teaching them the utmost personal and professional conduct by example.

Students are Given Boundaries: In military boarding school, students thrive on a structured schedule. Here, students have assigned times for wake-up, meals, class, homework, physical activity, recreation, and lights-out.
This routine in turn, therefore, instills time management skills, responsibility, accountability, and motivation within each student and peer group.

Students are Taught Discipline: Students here are taught to follow specific rules, which are in place to help them achieve their goals. Discipline at military school is not as harsh or punitive as people think. Rather it focuses on helping each student build inner strength by managing his actions and reactions.

Students are Given Plenty of Personal Responsibility: Students in military boarding schools learn to take responsibility for themselves in a manner that’s not typically required at other boarding schools. For instance, they must maintain meticulous care of their uniforms, rooms, and personal hygiene, as well as learn to be on time for every class, meal, and formation. 

Students Learn the Value of Integrity: Finally, students in military boarding schools operate under a strict code of conduct. Every student is responsible to behave with respect toward superiors and peers.

Should I Choose an All-Boys Military School?

Your son will feel less social pressure and also have the freedom to express himself without fear of embarrassing himself in front of girls at a single-gender military school, which he would not be able to do at a co-ed school.

High school is a difficult period for young boys as they grow physically and emotionally, and it has been demonstrated that placing them in an atmosphere that caters exclusively to the requirements of adolescent boys is, therefore, advantageous.

Who is Eligible For a Military School?

Any student can attend a military school however students that would be best served by a military education include:

How Much Does it Cost to Attend a Military School For Boys In the USA?

To begin, you should be aware that attending a military school will cost more than attending a regular school. In other circumstances, it will cost significantly more.

A military day school can cost more than $10,000 per year in tuition and lodging, and a boarding school can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $25,000 or even $40,000 per year.

What are the Top 15 Military Schools For Boys in The USA?

In the United States, there are various military schools for males. However, for the sake of this post, we shall focus on 15 of them.

So, to rate these best military schools efficiently, we used a few parameters.

The following are some of the rankings for the best military schools for boys in the United States.

1 Valley Forge Military Academy and College

Tuition: $39,995

Teacher Ratio: 1 to 10

Grades: 7-14

Valley Forge Military Academy and College consist of three fully certified schools: a middle school for students in grades 7-8, a high school for students in grades 9-12, and a two-year military junior college.

Commuting and residential options are also available at each of the schools. Valley Forge is one of only five military junior colleges in the country that can give a direct commission into the army after just two years of study (under the army’s Early Commissioning Program).

That is, students at Valley Forge can begin their military education at a young age and continue it throughout their academic careers.

VFMC offers programs leading to the Associate of Arts degree, the Associate of Science degree, or the Associate in Business Administration. 

2 St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy

Tuition:  $39,000

Teacher Ratio: 1 to 3

Grades: 7-12

Since its establishment in 1884, St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy has been actively involved in helping young adults to become great leaders with exceptional character. 

It is a private, prestigious, coed preparatory school with a focus on leadership development and college preparation. About 265 students are accepted each year at St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy.

Here, all students adhere to a regimented system of education, along with participating in mandatory athletic programs. The very well-structured, military-styled environment at St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy shapes young men and also helps them to reach their full potential.

So, all students graduate from St. John’s Northwestern with a good idea of what it will take to find success in a constantly changing and challenging world environment. 

3 Massanutten Military Academy (MMA)

Tuition: $32,300

Teacher Ratio: 12 to 1

Grades:  6-12, PG

Massanutten Military Academy, founded in 1899, is a coeducational boarding and day school in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. It has a long history of assisting students in realizing their full potential.

Their holistic approach to education not only assists your student in academic success but also in their development as well-rounded individuals. To assist students to reach their greatest potential, they emphasize character development, leadership, and service.

The Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) and Advanced-Ed, formerly the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, have fully recognized Massanutten Military Academy (SACS).

In addition, through various academic and mentoring programs, students here learn to focus and work independently.

4 Fork Union Military Academy

Tuition: $32,000

Student to Teacher Ratio: 10:1

Grades: 7-12, PG

Founded in 1898, Fork Union Military Academy is a Christian, college preparatory, military-style boarding school in Fork Union, Virginia. It is one of the leading US college preparatory boarding military schools for young men in Grades 7-12 and postgraduates.

At Fork Union Military Academy, they offer high-quality academics and athletics within a structure built around character development, self-discipline, responsibility, leadership development, and Christian values.

There is no other school in the country that takes immature boys and turns them into total men.

Body/Mind/Spirit are the three core values that FUMA strives to advance, and they do one helluva job at dutifully crafting each. 

5 Marine Military Academy

Tuition: $38,150

Teacher Ratio: 11:1

Grades:  7-12

The Marine Military Academy, founded in 1965, is a private college preparatory academy in Harlingen, Texas, the United States, that offers a college preparatory program for males in grades 7–12, as well as one year of post-graduate study.

It is one of the best military schools for boys in the country. The Marine Military Academy has been assisting young men in reaching their full potential since its founding.

For all types of lads, the Marine Military Academy provides both solutions and chances. MMA can help boys deal with a variety of challenges and bring them to success.

Also, the proven educational model here helps young men earn higher grades, develop exceptional character and maturity, and plan their short and long-term goals for the future.

6 Camden Military Academy

Tuition: $24,495

Teacher Ratio: 1 to 8

Grades: 7-12

Founded in 1958, Camden Military Academy (CMA) is a private, all-male, military boarding school located in Camden, South Carolina, United States. It is currently one of the best military schools for boys in the USA.

This premier military school in South Carolina focuses on academic and personal success. The school’s mission is to educate and inspire its corps of cadets so that each cadet will have an opportunity to achieve his maximum potential and gain the educational foundation to succeed in college and life as a productive, contributing citizen.

The Camden Military Academy admits about 300 students each year.

7 Fishburne Military School

Tuition: $33,900

Teacher Ratio:

Grades: 7-12, PG

Fishburne Military School, founded in 1879 by James A. Fishburne, is Virginia’s oldest and smallest private military school.

The school is proudly located in historic Waynesboro, Virginia, and is currently ranked as one of the greatest military schools for boys in the United States.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Virginia Association of Independent Schools both accredit Fishburne Military School.

It is also important to note that Fishburne Military School graduates are leading the way in virtually every walk of life.

8 Army and Navy Academy

Tuition: $41,500

Teacher Ratio: 1 to 7

Grades: 7-12

Founded in 1910, Army and Navy Academy is a college-preparatory boarding school for boys, grades 7–12, in Carlsbad, California. It is currently one of the top military schools in the USA that prepares boys for success in college and far beyond. 

At Army and Navy Academy, students have the chance to participate in a wide range of adventures and experiences that challenge them to set goals that will take them further.

Also note that each year, the Army and Navy Academy admits about 300 students.

9 Hargrave Military Academy

Tuition: $32,800

Teacher Ratio: 1 to 6

Grades: 7-12, PG

Founded in 1909, Hargrave Military Academy (HMA) is a private, all-male, military boarding school located in the town of Chatham, Virginia. Hargrave is affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia emphasizing Christian values that focus on a college and military preparatory program. 

It is a school where boys strengthen their faith, build their character, learn to lead, and realize their full potential.

Hargrave offers a comprehensive program of college preparatory studies that sets a foundation of knowledge for lifelong learning.

Also note that each year, the Hargrave Military Academy admits about 230 students.

10 Missouri Military Academy

Tuition: $36,300

Teacher Ratio: 1 to 7

Grades: 7-12

The Missouri Military Academy (MMA) is a private preparatory school in Mexico, Missouri, that was founded on November 22, 1889. It is one of the best military boarding schools in the United States for boys in grades 7 to 12.

Essentially, Missouri Military Academy has given a perfect atmosphere for boys to develop into the kind of men we can all be proud of: decent husbands, dads, citizens, and leaders.

It’s important to remember, though, that all of these programs exist to encourage students to reach their full potential, develop self-confidence, and develop academic and life skills that will help them succeed in college and beyond.

Furthermore, each year, the Missouri Military Academy admits about 250 students.

11. New York Military Academy

Tuition: $44,160

Teacher Ratio: 1 to 8

Grades: 8-12

The New York Military Academy is one of the most prestigious military academies in the United States. Located directly on the Hudson River in Cornwall-on-Hudson, notable alumni include current president Donald J. Trump, Francis Ford Coppola, and Judge Albert Tate.

The college prep school is a boarding school that accepts boys and girls. It is one of the oldest military schools in the United States that previously only admitted male students. It was founded in 1889.

Grades 8-12 attend the institution. Only 100 students attend the school which not only makes it incredibly exclusive. 

12. Admiral Farragut Academy

Tuition: $48,000

Teacher Ratio: 1 to 15

Grades: 8-12

Admiral Farragut Academy is a private military prep school that allows boys and girls. It provides classroom instruction for grades 8 through 12. The small campus is located in Boca Ciega Bay in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The notable alumni of Admiral Farragut Academy include astronauts Alan Shephard and Charles Duke. Actor Lorenzo Lamas also attended boarding school.

The academy offers signature programs including Naval Science (Military), Aviation, Engineering, Marine Science, Scuba, and AP Capstone. The academy also accredits FCIS, SACS, TABS, SAIS, and NAIS.

13. Riverside Military Academy

The academy was founded in 1907 and features some notable alumni including John Bassett, Judge E.J. Salcines, Ira Middleberg, and Jeffrey Weiner. The alumni are particularly decorated in the field of law.

Riverside Military Academy has some of the highest reported medians SAT scores in the country. Last year, the average SAT score for students at the military academy was 1323. However, the ACT median was much more average at only 20.

The JROTC program at the academy is one of the most decorated in the nation. It has been designated as a JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction for over 80 years. It allows up to five cadets to get recommended each year to federal service academies.

14. New Mexico Military Institute

The New Mexico Military Institute was established in 1891 and is the only state-supported co-ed military college prep boarding school in the United States.

It supports grades 9 through 12. The New Mexico Military Institute is designed to provide military education and training to the youth at affordable prices.

The academy is nationally recognized for its outstanding academic performance, leadership and character development, as well as physical fitness programs.

It awards over $2 million each year in scholarships. The student body is diverse as members are from over 40 states as well as 33 foreign countries as of 2021. A large percentage of students are of color.

15. Oak Land Military Institute

Tuition: free

Teacher Ratio: 1 to 10

Grades: 6-12

The Oakland Military Institute College Preparatory Academy is a charter school in Oakland, California, administered by the California Military Department’s Youth and Community Programs Task Force in collaboration with the Oakland Unified School District.