Many youngsters go through life not really knowing what they want to do when they grow up. And that’s fine. It’s almost impossible to tell what career path you want to pursue at a young age. But they also find themselves in a funk as a result.
Teenagers have parents and teachers tell them they need to start thinking about a career path before they have ever even worked a day in the real world. It’s all a bit diabolical.
This sort of pressure can breed resentment. The teenager starts withdrawing and acting out in various ways. They start defying authority and developing bad personal habits. Their performance at school may even be affected.
So, what is the perfect solution which will give them direction and build confidence as well as self-motivation? The answer may surprise you.
A military school may just be the perfect thing for your student. In today’s society, the common thought is that military schools are where you send bad kids. This simply isn’t true. In fact, it is easier to get kicked out of military school than it is public school. This is because these schools are designed for kids who just need a more disciplined and structured environment. The same kid who was a great student two years and is now starting to fail is the right candidate for a military school.
Military schools focus on getting kids back on track. They do not specialize in kids that have always been bad. In fact, if a student has a criminal record or no record of success, they most likely will not be granted admission. This probably comes as a shock to you but it’s the truth. It’s why nearly 100% of military school graduates are accepted to college. There was already a good student in there, they just needed to be forged.
Here are some interesting statistics regarding military schools in the United States:
Number of Military Schools
There are approximately 66 military schools in the U.S. at the secondary level (grades 9–12), with over 50 also offering junior high (grades 6–8). Some include even younger grades, though the military structure typically applies to older students.
At the higher education level, there are 19 military colleges, including 5 federal service academies, 6 senior military colleges, and 4 military junior colleges participating in the Army’s Early Commissioning Program.
Enrollment
Secondary Military Boarding Schools: For the 2025 school year, 15 top military boarding schools in the U.S. and Canada collectively serve 3,878 students. These are college-prep institutions with selective admissions.
Famous and Successful Military High School Graduates
Donald Trump – New York Military Academy (1964)
Vince McMahon – Fishburne Military School (1964)
J.D. Salinger – Valley Forge Military Academy (1936)
Stephen Sondheim – New York Military Academy (1946)
Owen Wilson – New Mexico Military Institute (attended, did not graduate)
Larry Fitzgerald – Valley Forge Military Academy (2002, prep year)
Timothy Leary – Marion Military Institute (attended 1938, did not graduate)
Robin Olds – North Carolina Military Academy (prep before West Point, 1940)
George C. Marshall – Virginia Military Institute Cadet Program (1901)
