30 years ago, the United States was the leader in quantity and quality of high school diplomas – today it is 36th in the world. 

 

With public schools in the US not offering the quality education they used to, more and more parents are looking at ways to improve their children’s education. From extracurricular activities to private tutoring, there are many ways to support your child’s education alongside what they learn at school.

 

However, there is another option that is becoming more popular – moving away from public school altogether. It may seem a drastic move to some, but a solid education sets our children up for a bright future and we should consider all the options available to us.

 

Military high schools are a sound alternative to public school education. However, sometimes parents dismiss them too quickly due to misconceptions around the military focus.

 

Photo by Bob Smith on Unsplash

 

Military high schools are an excellent way of improving the essential skills for success like focus and self-discipline alongside delivering excellent academic performance. It is not only an option for those wanting a career in the military and more parents are starting to become aware of the opportunities offered by a military education.

 

In this article, we explore the surprising benefits attending a military high school offers young people:

 

1. No distractions – With social media, smartphones, and TV streaming services like Netflix, there is so much distraction for young people today. In fact, a 2019 survey found the use of technology in class, such as laptops or phones, for noneducational purposes distracted just under half of the students. How many times have you asked your children to get on with their homework after school only to find them sat on their cell phones minutes later? Military schools are unique in that they provide students with the freedom from distraction they need to excel.

2. Independence – The boarding aspect of many military high schools help young people develop the life skills and social skills they will need as adults. With more adults still living with their parents, over-dependency is a rising problem, and military schools address that. Living alongside their fellow students enables children to build emotional bonds and connections with others that they need to thrive away from the family home.

3. A healthy lifestyle – You do not need us to tell you that the Western world is facing an obesity crisis. Even when you do your best to feed your family healthy meals in the home, you can never be sure that your kids aren’t stopping off at the store and buying candy on the way to school or skipping gym class. Military education places a strong emphasis on athletics and healthy living. With regular exercise, from long-distance running to team sports, you know your children are staying fit and healthy.

4. Leadership qualities – With modern culture promoting a desire to fit in and be just like everyone else, children are more vulnerable to peer pressure than ever before. Military high schools provide young people with rigorous leadership programs that not only set them up for success in their future careers in or outside of the military, but with the strength of character and confidence to lead others and not be led astray by peers with less focus.

5. Well-rounded character – In addition to leadership, self-discipline, and academic performance, military schools differ from public schools in their focus on developing the skills needed to excel as they go onto college and beyond. Emphasis is placed on creating a well-rounded character with qualities and skills including initiative, courage, honesty, confidence, and motivation all given the attention they deserve.

6. Guidance and inspiration – With teaching staff taking on the role of guardians and role models, young people are provided with the strong, accomplished authority figures that they may lack in a public school setting.

7. Freedom to thrive – While discipline, focus, and structure are valuable skills taught at military schools, there is also room for students to explore the things that interest them. Many schools offer a rich and varied program of activities and clubs, from golf and sailing to drama and video production.

 

While not always the first option parents consider when looking for ways to give their child a brighter future, the wider benefits of a military school are cause for serious consideration. With some military schools reporting record numbers of inquiries, it looks like more young people will reap the benefits.

 

For more help in supporting your child, see these articles full of useful parenting advice.