Frequently Asked Questions

Q:  What is a Military School?

A:  Military schools have a unique culture that is built on tradition and proven practices.  Students wear uniforms and participate in ceremonies that develop self-discipline and foster pride. Most are boarding (residential) schools where the students live together and are part of a student-lead organization that helps each student develop competencies as a follower, team member, and leader. Students learn the importance of self-discipline, time management, and to work together with others as part of a team.

Q:  Why are Military Schools Unique?

A:  Military schools offer unique challenges and great opportunities for today's youth.  A quality education is the foundation of each school as they prepare young men and women to be great leaders and involved citizens by offering an exceptional learning experience with emphasis on character development, leadership training, and academic excellence.

Military schools stand on core values--like honor, integrity, duty, service and self-discipline.  Traditional values are the hallmarks of AMCSUS schools and the graduates we produce reflect a commitment to these values.

A structured setting provides an ideal environment to learn and mature. Each of our schools provides a unique learning environment that facilitates development and growth based on the age and experiences of the individual student.  Time management, self-discipline, and motivation help each student develop clear goals for growth and development.  A nurturing and supportive faculty and staff are always available to assist each individual student through difficult situations.

Success can be leveraged and military schools are committed to the life long development and career of each graduate. 

Q:  What is an Independent School?

A:  Many of our schools are independent and are designed to complement public schools by providing a quality education in a caring, supportive, nurturing learning environment. While each is unique in focus, style, academic expectations, extracurricular offerings, and emphasis, all provide a solid academic program that prepares its students for college and a productive life as community oriented citizen and leader. (AIMS)

Independent military schools are governed by an independent board of trustees, which includes parents.  This allows schools the opportunity to define their own missions and the freedom to develop quality curriculums that best meets the needs of their students.  Funding for independent schools does not come from taxes or churches but rather from tuition-paying families and charitable contributions. (AIMS)

Families and students value independent schools for creating learning communities where students thrive in small classes led by nurturing faculty who set high academic standards and then work closely with each student. Families also like the fact that independent schools stress a well-rounded education by encouraging student's participation in athletics, music, theater, clubs, and other extracurricular activites.  They also emphasize co-curricular activities which correlate academic work to community service and citizenship. (AIMS)

According to a recent National Public Opinion Poll, independent schools:

--offer a more personalized and customized education

--provide a more civil and controlled learning environment

--have smaller classes and more individualized attention

--have greater emphasis on values, manners, and discipline (AIMS)

Q:  What is a Boarding School?

A:  Boarding schools today are much different than they used to be and are poles apart from stereotypical Hollywood images, such as havens for children of privilege or refuges for troubled teens. New research proves that contemporary boarding schools serve a diverse body of motivated and well rounded students who study and live in supportive, inclusive academic communities where they learn about independence and responsibility-traditional values that help them achieve at higher rates than private day and public schools-in the classroom and beyond. (TABS)

Q:  How are independent, military, boarding schools unique?

   --Their existence depends on their ability to fulfill their mission

    --In general, independent school students do more homework, and watch less television than public school counterparts

    --A greater percentage participate in the arts, athletics and extracurricular activities

    --Teachers interact more frequently with students, not only in the classroom but in other aspects of campus life

    --They promote critical thinking\

    --The community places great emphasis on ethical behavior and good citizenship

    --Students are expected to be well-mannered and disciplined

    --There is emphasis on communications between school and home (AIMS)

Q:  How do I begin the process of selecting the right school?

A:  This Web Site allows you to identify the specific schools that meet your needs based on such things as:

--geographical location

--size and demographics

--academic programs

--athletics, music and extracurricular activities

--school type (boarding or day, coed or single sex, grade levels, etc.)

 Then you should visit the Web Sites of the schools that meet your needs to learn more about the schools. There you will find information about the school's admissions process and how to apply.  If you have questions direct them to the Admissions Office by email or phone.

Once you have narrowed your choices a visit to your final choices is strongly recommended.  A campus visit will provide you the opportunity to see meet current students and faculty, see the campus and facilities, and learn about the schools learning environment. You will be able to determine which schools feel most comfortable for you.

Q:  How can I afford an independent military school?

A:  Most schools offer financial aid and scholarships to help offset costs. There are also educational loans available for some programs.

The Admissions and Financial Aid Office at each school can help determine if you qualify for financial aid.

Q:  How do I begin the application process?

A:  Contact the Admissions Office of the school in which you are interested.  The Member Listing of this site provides a direct link to each school's web site and Admissions Office.

Q:  Who can help me with the application process?

A:  The Admissions Office will assist you in learning more about their school and guide you through the admissions process. The school's website provides additional information on how to contact them through email or by phone. They can answer your questions, assist you in gathering the information you need, and help arrange a visit to the school.

Q:  What is the military service obligation?

A:  There is no military obligation when you enroll.

Some college preparatory schools have Junior Reserve Officers Training Programs (JROTC) but there is no military obligation for participation.

Two-Year Colleges, Colleges and Universities all offer programs leading to commissioning that include a service obligation. However, none of these programs are mandatory and many students participate in the school's Corps of Cadets without incurring an obligation.

The decisions whether to accept a commission normally is normally made at the beginning of the junior year.