Military schools now offer some of the best educational programs in the country. Their extracurricular programs also rival those of traditional institutions. Of course, everyone is familiar with their reputation of instilling discipline and building character in young adults. They are known for producing great leaders and responsible members of the community. Those are all great reasons to send your child to a military academy, but there are other important criteria that should not be overlooked when considering military schools.
Check the Class Size
Once you’ve narrowed down your selections, check the class size of each of the military schools you’re considering. The larger the class, the less personal attention your child will receive. There are many schools that have class sizes of around 10 or 12 students per class, but others have as many as thirty or more per class. Choosing a school that has an average class size that suit the needs of your child can make all the difference in their education.
What is the Student to Teacher Ratio?
If your child does well in groups, then class size or student to teacher ratio is not critically important. Some students even do better in larger classes, and require little personal attention. They are the minority however, and if your child is one that requires close personal attention or a little extra help sometimes, the student to teacher ratio is important. Many military schools have student to teacher ratios as low as 7:1, others have a ration of 12:1 or higher.
Take Note of the Size of the Campus
If your child will be attending a boarding school, the size of the campus is important. Their school will more or less be their home for a number of years, so it’s important that they are comfortable. Some schools have campuses of over one hundred acres full of outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, horse-back riding and the like. Others like theFloridaAirAcademyare a few minutes away from a beach. A large, well situated campus can help them to feel at home and keep them busy doing the things they enjoy, helping them to adjust more easily to what may be a challenging environment for them.
Find Out if There is a Religious Affiliation
Many military schools are affiliated with a particular religious denomination which is incorporated into their program. This is especially necessary if religion is important to you. Some schools are strictly Presbyterian or Baptist, and others offer non-denominational Christian programs. Many are non-denominational though, and there is no program of religious instruction at all.
Visit the School in Person
Again this is especially important if your child will be boarding at the school. You can not only check out the premises and accompanying facilities, but it provides the opportunity for you to meet with the faculty and staff. Making the effort and investment to do so will provide you with peace of mind knowing that your child will be in a healthy and safe environment, and that they will be comfortable there.
The above are often overlooked by parents looking for military schools, but they are as important as the academic program. Taking the time to consider these items will ensure that you not only select the perfect school for your child, but they will enjoy the best possible experience while attending.