If you have decided to send your teen to a military school, you are probably wondering what activities he or she will particpate in. Generally, students don’t have much free time, except on weekends, as their time is planned and their schedule is very busy. In this way, military school disciplines teenagers, making sure their time and actions are monitored and meaningful. Tight scheduling also keeps students out of trouble, involvement in fights, and substance abuse.

For specifics you should contact the particular school you are sending your child to, but the daily routine tends not to vary much; only extra-curricular activities and classes differ. Students are required to get up early and make their beds, do exercises, and go to breakfast. They can’t skip classes or military drills and physical exercises. Not working hard will get your child punished, with physical activities being the preferred consequence. Cadets need to learn how to behave like military men and women. Apart from military drills, training includes marching and saluting to the flag every evening before dinner.

Leisure time is in short supply on weekdays, but on weekends cadets have much more free time. They can rest, sleep, socialize, and have fun on their own. Still, fun time has to be earned, and will only be allowed to model students. Troubled students may lose their privileges and earn extra assignments while their classmates are enjoying themselves. This method is a very productive way to discipline a teen cadet, and is popular in military schools.

Cadets can earn a free weekend to go home or go out. Sometimes off-campus activities are organized and monitored, and sometimes they are not, depending on a school and/or cadet’s behavior. Cadets can go to movies, zoos, theaters, museums and clubs, if they are allowed.

Military schools sometimes organize hiking or camping on weekends, which can be both fun and helpful in military drills. In winter, cadets can ski or skate, while swimming is popular in summer. Depending on the military school’s location and surroundings, military cadets can enjoy other fun activities, like paint ball, go-carting, or golf.

There are also organized fun activities on campus. In dorm area lounges, students can watch TV, play games, or surf the Internet. Activity centers may offer ping-pong, pool, foosball, and other games. Playing chess and other social games are also allowed and offered. Of course sporting areasand gyms are also popular options.

Military schools often organize dances and sport tournaments among themselves. Visiting between schools is common so that students can meet other cadets, making friendships and exchanging experiences.

You have chosen to go to a military school and sent an application; the only thing left to do is pack your bag and go! But first, some preparations are in order. You will be away from home and might have a difficult time sometimes. Good preparation can help you when those times come.

The excitement, curiosity, and even fear you are feeling are perfectly normal. You are about to start a completely new life with a very different lifestyle from that which you are used to. You will have to share a room, and you will have to adjust to new friends, roommates, and senior supervision all the time.

You will get used to your new situation over time, but for new students, this change may be difficult. Some teens don’t know what to expect from military school life, what the policies and rules  are, and what daily life in a boarding school is. It is a good idea to read some Internet sites and blogs in order to get some insight before you actually start that kind of life.

When you get to school, nobody will treat you like your parents do. You are just another student, treated like the rest of your classmates. You won’t get special attention and care and you won’t be able to complain or make changes. Instead, you will have to adapt to your new environment. The sooner you accept this, the sooner you will make life in a military school easier for yourself.

The important thing to remember is that you are not alone, so be prepared for new friendships; maybe some of them will last for the rest of your life. Be communicative and treat your classmates positively so you can help each other through this change. Be aware that some students tend toward competitiveness or mean-spiritedness, but always remember that you are best served by not sinking to their level.

Prepare yourself for difficulties of military drills. Get in a better shape and don’t drink or smoke, as these bad habits can put your health and fitness in danger. Too much junk food can have the same effect, as you will need as much health and strength as you can muster. Practice push-ups every day until you leave for school, as doing push-ups will become part of your daily training, especially if you misbehave and get punished.

If your parents sent you to a military boarding school against your will, the sooner you accept your new reality, the better it will be for you. Don’t try to rebel or fight back or you will only get in more trouble. Remember that it is for your own benefit and some day you will likely be thankful. Put your rebelling aside if you want to stay out of trouble in a boarding school. Just do what you are told when you are told.

Prepare the belongings you will need, but first find out what you are and are not allowed to bring to campus. Prepare in advance, don’t leave it for the last day. It is a good idea to write a list in order to remember everything you need.

It is important to stay in touch with your old friends, assuming your parents have not deemed them bad influences on your behavior. Write down their emails, addresses, and phone numbers. You won’t be isolated at a military boarding school and will be able to contact your family and friends.

The program for girls who attend military schools is more demanding and challenging than that of a typical public school. For some girls, this is exactly the reason they applied to military school, while for others it presents some difficulties. For all girls, though, military school is a place of opportunity and self-improvement, with fewer distraction and more prospects.

Military schools are not designed for troubled teen girls; there are other places for them. It is the case, though, that military schools will improve discipline of their female cadets as long as they don’t struggle against it. Schools won’t force discipline and knowledge on anyone who doesn’t want it, and troubled teens can easily get expelled.

Furthermore, most schools won’t accept girls who have a history of violent behavior and/or substance abuse, as they need special treatment and counseling which military schools don’t offer. Girls with a history of mild problems can be accepted, as it is likely they just need positive discipline, which is one of the specialties of  military schools for girls.

Military schools for girls have the same classes as in a regular school, like math, science, and history, just usually on a more challenging level. Girls are put in smaller classes, which is one positive aspect of military school . Advanced students can take additional and optional classes, as well as join clubs and practice art or play instruments. The academic record established by these schools is excellent.

Further, girls are always supervised and controlled in a safe environment. Military school for girls are good places to separate your child from substance abuse and other problems teens can get into,such as promiscuity and truancy. Girls are not totally isolated, as they can have weekends off-campus, access to the Internet,and particpate in organized social events between different schools.

Girls wear uniforms, so there is no fashion competition or distraction. Uniforms can also help in building discipline and responsibility, as the students are responsible for taking care of their uniforms. In military schools for girls, there are female teachers and senior students who act as examples to young women, serving as true role models, rather than the false role models many girls make of movie stars and singers.

Girls are not spared from physical training, either. Military drills and exercises are part of the everyday routine. They are adapted for female bodies, but girls have to go through the whole program, just like boys. Girls have to be in a good physical condition and have to master all military drills. For this reason, the girls’ health is very important in military schools. They are provided with healthy food, fruits, and vitamins to help ensure they can derive maximum benefit from their military school experience.

If you are thinking of sending your son or daughter to a military school there are some things you should know and consider before you take this step. Know that military schools have different programs and rules, although they are similar, and choose which one is the most suitable for your child. Most of all, make sure that military school in general is the right choice for your child.

If you and/or your child think that a military career is right for him or her, know that participation in a military school education is beneficial, but not necessary. A potential military cadet can still go to a regular high school and chose a military career later. Still, military school is a good place to give your child some insight into a military life.

Some military schools take only single gender students, and some are mixed. While most of them are boarding, there are some daily or both daily and boarding. Beside the regular, obligatory program, military schools also provide extra activities and classes, which may be one of reasons when you choose a particular military school.

Military schools are not just prep schools for higher military education. Any student can benefit from them, both academically and physically. Parents also realize gains after their child’s graduation, as military schools successfully teach cadets discipline and other important values. Leadership, self-confidence, team work, and accomplishment are just a few of them.

Military schools are not free, and the best schools are not financially feasible  for everyone. Before your child enrolls, consider your budget to make sure that you can afford it. You can try to get financial assistance – there are scholarships and financial aid for these types of schools. Don’t let expenses put you off and change your mind about military school, though. There is always a way to get your child a quality military education.

When you think of downsides of sending your child to a military boarding school, like the expense of it or the fact that you won’t be able to see your child whenever you want, you should think of all the benefits, too. Weigh pros and cons carefully before you make a decision.

One more important thing to know is that military schools are no longer considered to be schools for troubled teens. If your teen is troubled, probably some of the alternatives would be a better solution. Today, the best military schools only accept the best students, and those without a history of negative behavior.

It is also important to know that if your child has some learning or other mental problem or disability, he or she will not do well in a military school. They are very serious and demanding when it comes to academic knowledge, and academics do not take a back seat to military training and discipline.

For most teens, military school physical training is hard at the beginning, no matter what kind of shape one is in, as it is quite different and more rigorous than in regular schools or sport clubs. Students generally get used to it after some time, but prior to starting, some preparations would be helpful and, perhaps, even necessary. Here are some tips to make these drills easier.

During military school training it is best to follow orders and rules, or you can make it even harder for yourself. Don’t take things personally; remember that everything is a part of a drill and that you will eventually benefit from it. Slacking off or goofing off will only get you into trouble and earn you more physical training. Doing push-ups is one of the favorite disciplines in  military school.

Instead of slacking, accept reality for what it is and make some preparations for the military drills. Before the beginning of training, make sure you are rested, both physically and mentally. Try to relax and do some things that you enjoy first. If your mind is troubled when you work out, training will be even harder for you.

Stay in shape and keep healthy by eating the right foods and drinking plenty of water. Alcohol and tobacco are your greatest enemies. Your school will provide you with everything you need to keep you healthy and strong so don’t miss your meals and always finish them.

You shouldn’t talk to other students during exercises. Instead, save your breath, as you will need it! Speak only when you are spoken to. Whining and seeking sympathy will do you no good. Just do what you are told as best as you can.

You have to keep trying, no matter what. As hard as it is for you, it won’t be hard forever. It can be surprising to you how much you can advance in a short time by following procedure. In time, you will get stronger and some activities that were too hard for you can even become easy and just a part of the everyday routine.

Remember that you are not the only one with difficulties and problems. Others have a tough time too, and it is important that you work as a team, are nice to each other, and give each other moral support. It will be much easier for everybody this way. You have no one else to lean on but your class mates. If you work together, military school training won’t be so tough for all of you.

The days when military schools were only for male cadets are a thing of the past. More and more military schools welcome female cadets, although there are only a few designed for girls only, and there are more mixed gender military schools. Boys and girls take classes together, but they are separated at night and for most physical training.
Girls take part in the same activities as boys, but they have slightly lower physical demands, based purely on their physiology. Still, they are expected to participate fully in the program. Expectations are just as high as for boys, only adapted for females.
Troubled behavior is usually associated with teenage boys, but lately there are more and more girls that become troubled teens, and that is one of the reasons parents may decide to send their daughters to a military school. Some girls choose to have a military career, which is the other reason for the increased number of female cadets.
Sending your daughter to a military school does not have to be a punishment or a discipline measure only. Female cadets can benefit in many other ways by gaining knowledge and skills that will be helpful to them later.  Additionally, they will have an insight into a military career, which gives them one more option for a future job.
Many girls do even better than boys in a co-ed military school because boys try to prove themselves and they give more importance to physical activities. Girls, however, are generally better at studying. A military education and classes at military schools are of the highest quality, and girls are often more challenged in a military boarding school than in a public school.
Female cadets in some girl military schools get a counselor or a mentor who helps them during their stay in a boarding school, as girls can have a harder time adapting to military school life. Still, a comfortable environment for girls can help then adjust and enjoy their stay in a school.
Girls who sign up for a military school education are usually confident young women who are not afraid to show their capabilities. They are rewarded for their strength in many ways. Military schools build strength and confidence and help them to achieve their goals in life, making them leaders with successful careers.
Military school is not all about drills and learning. Girls still can have time for their hobbies and extra-curricular activities, as they will have the opportunity to practice their art, play instruments and participate in sports. If you do choose to send your daughter to a military school, when she comes back, you can expect improved behavior and improvement in her academics.

Some schools still debate  wearing school uniforms, and students usually don’t like them, but they are important and are required in military schools. The general idea is to prepare students for military service where they will wear uniforms. Military uniforms are one of the military’s attributes, and usually first thing we notice on military personnel.
Students wear a uniform every day, and one of the duties of cadets is to keep them clean and maintain their condition. Some schools also have formal uniforms which cadets wear on special occasions. Military school uniforms reduce obvious differences among cadets, which are blatant when they wear different clothes.
Uniforms are not cheap, and many parents resist paying for them, but schools usually charge them through scholarship to make it easier for parents. Still, uniforms are cheaper than buying teens a lot of modern clothes and jewelry.
Uniform design has changed over the years, and cadets are usually satisfied with their look, as designing uniforms has practically become an art form. Uniforms may even make teens look smarter and more serious. Military school uniforms are not there just for the appearance, and to make everyone look the same. There are also other benefits from them, in military schools and other schools as well.
Uniforms contribute to the sense of belonging and community feeling. Students bond more easily, making lifelong relationships. They lessen the chance of bullying and picking on each other because of differences in wealth or life circumstances. It is also impossible for teens then to wear clothes or signs on them which might be offensive to others.
When cadets ware uniforms, they build their sense of discipline and responsibility. Uniforms are a formal representation of cadets, which helps them to act more maturely and appropriately. This is especially useful if teens had behavior problems before.
School uniforms also help seniors implement dress codes. Off course, they also wear uniforms and give fine examples to young students, who often look up on them.
Different clothes, especially extremely expensive or unusual ones may be distracting on some students, particularly during classes, so we can say that military school uniforms play their part in better academic performance. It is easier for students to focus on studying this way.
At first, some cadets dislike wearing uniforms, but usually they soon change their minds, getting used to them and, after a while, wearing them with pride. Uniforms won’t solve many problems, but will prevent a lot of them.

There are several myths related to military schools, usually created by movies and television, and some based on the past. These myths all have a negative connotation, which can repel many teens from choosing a military education, and which many parents use to scare their children who misbehave, by threatening them with military school if they don’t shape up. Here are some popular myths:

- Military school is for troubled teens only.
Contrary to what many parents and teens think, most  military schools will not accept teens with a history of problematic behavior and discipline problems. Students have to obey authority and need a strong will to succeed and finish a military education.

- A military education will get you a career in the military.
For military school graduates, both the next step after graduation and their choice of career is completely optional. Also, students who finish military high school still have to finish military college before they can get a job in the military.

- Only rich kids can get into a military school.
Although this may have been true in the past, today things have been changed, thanks to the variety of scholarships and financial aid packages that can help families with low income. Some school districts are partnering with the Department of Defense to open public military schools, giving every student a chance to have a military education.

- You can only learn about stuff that will help you in a military career.
This is not true at all. Although there are additional classes about military-specific topics, like military history, basic knowledge is given to students just like in other schools. Every non-public school, like religious schools, for example, has some unique classes, and so does a military school. But that does not mean that these schools prioritize this knowledge in front of others, as military schools provide academic knowledge along with military training.

- Military school restricts students with a “lockdown” policy.
We often see military schools in movies presented almost as prisons, in which students have little contact with the outside world, even sometimes not being able to call and write their friends and families. In reality, social activities are encouraged, students can get free weekends, there are organized events with other schools and so on. Students are free to maintain contacts and to have access to the Internet.

- Physical abuse is common in military schools.
Just like any other school, military schools must obey laws, local, state and federal, all of which forbid any abuse of students. Military schools provide positive adult interaction, and thanks to the structure and the personal accountability, they are among the safest of all possible educational choices.

There are many military schools with summer programs from which both troubled and untroubled teens can benefit, thanks to the military training. If parents and their children decided that military schools are not the best choice for their education, perhaps they would want to try a military education for at least one summer. It is also a good option before making the definite decision of giving up on military education.

Military summer schools will give children an insight and introduction to a military training and education, only with an abridged version for teens. Although they are not as effective as full-time schools, summer military schools can be helpful for teens who misbehave and have discipline problems, or are on the way to becoming troubled teens.

During the summer, kids may slack off on their working habits, as they don’t need to study and do homework.  This behavior can have negative effects on some teens. Too much leisure time can even make them lazy, and returning to school-related habits can be difficult, all of which can result in bad grades. Summer military school can both maintain and improve their studying routine.

You may be surprised how helpful these schools can be, and you may not recognize your teen when he or she comes back. Teens often develop many other habits, apart from studying, in a summer military school program.  These habits can help them during their education and in life. Many of them learn to be tidy and clean, and to pay more attention to health and personal hygiene. Many parents are pleased that their children start to clean up their mess and tidy their room after attending a military school during summer.

Summer military schools last four or five weeks, which is plenty of time to improve your child. Apart from self-discipline, kids can learn to be more self-confident. Also they are required to follow orders and learn independent thinking and decision making. For many teens, this is the first time away from home and parents, and it is a good test how they can handle being on their own, as many teens wish to be more self-sufficient.

Needless to say, there is also a lot of sport and physical exercise involved. Not only does this present a great opportunity for teens to get in shape, but it is also presents them with a great opportunity to turn to a healthy life, instead of trying drugs and alcohol, potentially developing an addiction. It is important, and mostly a parent’s responsibility, that their children continue the healthy and disciplined way of life even after the summer school is over.

Choosing the right military summer school is not easy, but it is very important. Make sure that you carefully review your options, as there are hundreds of them, all with different approaches and plans for troubled teens. Choose the one you believe that will treat your teen’s difficulties in the best way. If you are not sure what the right choice for your teen is, you could seek an advice from a counselor.

Military school is, for the most part, a boarding school, which means that cadets are with each other and on a school grounds 24 hours a day. Their time is carefully planned and fully organized, both with classes and recreational activities. Students have a busy and creative schedule, and are motivated to reach their full potential.

The reality of the busy military school schedule doesn’t mean that cadets don’t have spare time and time for other activities, though. Weekends are free and students can do what they want, go out to town and socialize, visit museums or go to movies… Military schools specialized for troubled teens may have stricter rules, though.

Rules are in force, just as they are anywhere. There is to be no drugs and fighting, and any misbehaving students are disciplined. There are some dress and hair codes, even for girls, and every student has to take care of his or her appearance. Breaking rules or having bad grades leads to the appropriate punishment. It may include detention, doing pushups or even manual labor.

On the other hand, military school can teach students that awards and benefits must be earned, so for those who show good behavior or make good grades, there are certain prizes, like going to the movies or home for the weekend.

Unlike boarding schools for troubled teens, military schools do not have group or individual counseling or any other therapeutic intercessions, and teens that cause too much trouble and misbehave too much can be expelled. Some military schools won’t even consider having a troubled teen.

Untroubled teens have benefits on weekends, while troubled ones may lose them. Model students are allowed to go out, sometimes they can travel home on a weekend, while troubled teens deal with room inspections and monitored leisure time.

Weekends are often for relaxation and socializing, within or outside the campus. Sometimes sport tournaments are organized, or bands play on campus. Sometimes, on the weekend, family visits are allowed.

The typical weekday routine usually looks something like this:

6:00 am        Reveille, wakeup call
6:00 – 7:00 am        Clean barracks, personal hygiene
7:00 – 7:30 am        Breakfast
7:30 – 8:30 am        Leadership training or drills
8:30 am – 12:00 pm    Classes
12:00 – 2:30 pm    Lunch
12:30 – 3:30 pm    Classes
3:30 – 5:00 pm        Physical activities or sports
5:30 – 6:00 pm        Personal hygiene
6:00 – 6:30 pm        Marching period, salute to the flag
6:30 – 7:00 pm        Dinner
7:00 – 9:30 pm        Study time
9:30 – 10:00 pm    Lights out