The Best Military Schools in America

Ranking the 5 Best Military Schools in the U.S.

We will pay special attention to 5 military boarding schools in the U.S. that really stand out due to their approaches and special programs, but we have also included a list from Boarding School Review for the 15 best military schools below for the current year.

Based on many years of working with military schools both internally and externally, I think you will also find this short list useful, as these military boarding schools not only offer rigorous college prep academics, but also provide challenging fitness and athletic programs, top notch leadership and character development, as well as some highly specialized programs.

1. Army and Navy Academy: All Boys, Grades 7-12. Located in Carlsbad, CA on an oceanfront campus. Army and Navy Academy, is a college preparatory boarding and day school that prepares boys in Grades 7-12 for success in college and far beyond.

By following the research of neuroscience and how boys learn and thrive, the Academy`s emphasis on responsibility, accountability, and motivation provides a life-changing experience for young men.

Highlights: Gurian Center for Excellence, Warrior Aviation, Award-Winning Language Liaison (ESL for international students), Learning Strategies (for students with mild to moderate learning differences), and CIF championships in numerous sports.

2. Culver Academies: All-Boys, All Girls, Grades 7-12 PG. Located in Culver, Indianna. This is not on the Boarding School Review list, but I would be remiss in not mentioning Culver. It is highly ranked by many review sites including FindingSchool, where it receives at A+. On the Wikipedia overview, they state that “Culver is a college preparatory boarding school in Culver, Indianna, which is composed of three entities: Culver Military Academy (CMA) for boys, Culver Girls Academy (CGA), and the Culver Summer Schools and Camps (CSSC). Highlights: equestrian program.

3. Marine Military Academy: All Boys, Grades 7-12 PG. Located in Harlingen, Texas. MMA is a private college-preparatory boarding school that follows the long-held traditions of the U.S. Marine Corps and is known for the rigorous training applied.

4. Fork Union Military Academy: All Males, Grades 7-12 PG. Located in Fork Union, VA. Fork Union Military Academy is a college prep Christian military boarding school. Founded in 1898, Fork Union is considered one of the top military boarding academies in the United States.

5. St. Catherine’s Academy: All Boys, Grades TK-8th Grade. Located in Anaheim, CA. This is ideal for younger students and as noted on their website, they use “military structure to teach boys essential life skills like leadership, goal setting, teamwork, responsibility, and overcoming challenges.” Students hail from across the U.S. and they typically have many students from Mexico in attendance.

Best Military Schools in the U.S. for 2025-2026

According to Boarding School Review, a highly reputable website to help families find the best military schools in America, these military boarding schools hit the list this year for their rigorous admission standards.

1. Army and Navy Academy, CA.
2. Camden Military Academy, SC
3. Fishburne Military Academy, VA
4. Fork Union Military Academy, VA
5. Hargrave Military Academy, VA
6. Marine Military Academy, TX
7. Massanutten Military Academy, VA
8. Missouri Military Academy, MO
9. New Mexico Military Institute, NM
10. New York Military Academy, NY
11. Oak Ridge Military Academy, NC
12. Randolph Macon Military Academy, VI
13. Riverside Preparatory Academy, GA
14. St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy, WI
15. Valley Forge Military Academy, PA

FAQs

Does attending a military school in the U.S. help high school graduates gain admission to ROTC universities or the top military academies?

Yes, it can certainly play a critical part as students can acquire references from military officers who work on campus, alongside their applications where they can demonstrate achievements in academics, physical training, leadership positions and character development. This can lead to generous ROTC university scholarships or admission to one of the tuition-free service academies like West-Point or Annapolis. To review military colleges, check out AMCSUS; an association website that lists secondary military schools as well as ROTC colleges and universities.

What are the 5 top military academies at the college level?

Not to be confused with secondary education (military high schools and military middle schools), the five top U.S. military academies in higher education are as follows:United States Military Academy (West Point)

• United States Naval Academy, (Annapolis)
• United States Air Force Academy / Space Force Academy
• United States Coast Guard Academy
• United States Merchant Marine Academy

Note: “These are the official government institutions that provide an undergraduate education and military training for a commitment to serve in the armed forces after graduation.” – Google AI Overview

Why do students attend military schools in the USA?

For a variety of reasons, students choose military boarding schools, including the development of independence, resilience, and motivation. Applicants are typically drawn to the structure, college and life preparation, real-world skills and special leadership and character development programs. Additionally, they may also be interested in special programs like ESL or Learning Strategies they cannot find at other boarding schools in the U.S.

Do U.S. military school graduates attend public and private universities?

Generally speaking, only a small percentage of military school graduates typically go to the military service academies or ROTC universities (where military service is required). Most graduates matriculate to traditional public or private colleges and universities in the U.S.

Final Thoughts

When college prep academics, stellar leadership, citizenship, and athletics are combined, the formula results in some of the best military schools in America. Our lists should help you begin your search for the right fit for your teen based on your location, goals and other preferences.

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Candace Heidenrich

Candace Heidenrich is the CEO of Aperture Advisory Associates, where she works with private secondary and higher education leaders to strengthen programs and practices. She founded Aperture in 2018 after more than a decade in a senior administrative role at a boarding school in California. Additionally, she held faculty and chair positions at private schools and colleges in Los Angeles and Ojai. Her background also includes director and executive level positions with start-ups and Fortune 500 corporations.

While earning her B.A. in Education and Humanities in the Lawrence Henry Gipson Scholar program, she studied abroad at Oxford before pursuing her master’s at the University of California, Santa Barbara. A frequent speaker at national conferences, she is a recognized thought leader and authority on enrollment management and marketing best practices.