Military Schools for Troubled Teens

Military schools for troubled teens are hard to find. Most don't accept adolescents with behavioral or emotional problems, as has been done in the past. Their new focus is placed strictly on academics and discipline in a military setting.

Military Schools for Troubled Teens offer very structured and disciplined settings for kids who may be tempted to fall off the beaten path.

Military schools are a cross between boot camps and boarding schools. The discipline is very strict and controlled, and a strong emphasis is placed on education. Students, also called cadets, are put through military exercises and rigorous military training. Teens who attend these schools must pass entrance exams and receive higher than average grades. They also aren't your typical unruly or out-of-control teens. They are usually good students who lack motivation or structure in their lives. Military schools will not accept teens with behavioral issues, as they generally do not provide in-house treatment programs.

Men and women who graduate from these schools have a mark of self-respect, charm and sophistication as well as high academic credentials. These are earned through rigorous training, hard work, discipline and dedication -- all of which cannot be received through a normal public school education. Many go on to attend prestigious military colleges or academies or enlist into a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Military schools for troubled teens are not cheap. They run between $3,000 and $5,000 a month for a nine-month period. Most schools require the full-year's tuition to be paid up front. Parents are also required to pay for uniforms and other fees, which can run up to an additional $4,000 a year. Students can board or attend day-only classes. Most schools start at sixth grade.

There are many benefits to attending a military school for troubled teens. They include:

• Positive peer atmosphere enforced through an honor code
• Highly traditional, but strict academic program
• Emphasis on physical fitness
• Highly structured environment that can help challenged under-motivated students

Military schools date back to the 18th century when this type of facility was already operating in most European countries. In October 1776, the Continental Congress proposed the first military school, and by 1783, more than 600 opened in the United States. Young men and women were educated in the military arts and sciences in a very disciplined manner. Throughout the 19th century and the first part of the 20th century, military schools flourished, churning out thousands of men and women of high caliber.

After the Vietnam War, the popularity of military schools decreased, but beginning in the 1990s, enrollment started to rise as parents again wanted to enroll their children in these prestigious establishments. This time, however, they are looking for a facility to help their potentially troubled teens from heading down the wrong path.

In most cases, military schools for troubled teens are not linked to any of the U.S. Armed Forces. They are strictly pre-collegiate schools and serve only middle- and high-school students. An adolescent receives a challenging education -- similar to a gifted program at a public high school -- but in a very structured atmosphere. Many have strong athletic programs, while others are geared at preparing students to further their education at a military academy. Physical activities required include:

• Marching
• Survival skills
• Obstacle courses
• Military-style parades

Not every teen fits into every classroom situation. While military school may sound like a great option for a struggling adolescent, it may not be the answer if your teen doesn't meet the school's criteria or has trouble succeeding while there. Some alternatives to military school for troubled teens are:

• Boarding school -- There are several different types of boarding schools available depending on your teen's strengths and weaknesses. Counseling and individual attention is given to overwhelmed students.
• Treatment centers -- These long-term facilities are for teens with extensive emotional and behavioral problems. Stays in these centers can be up to 18 months.
• Wilderness camps -- Similar to boot camps, but instead of military-style discipline, teens are expected to climb, hike and perform other challenges out in the wilderness.

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• Military School Options
• Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States
• Military Schools for Troubled Teens
• Military Schools for Struggling Teens

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