Boarding school Dorms in San Diego
Boarding school dorms don’t get any better than living at our boarding school in San Diego county. Located on a historic beachfront campus, the majority of our students elect to be boarding students and you can see why. Dorm life on campus offers middle school and high school students a chance to live away from home. Dorms on campus help boys gain independence, resilience, and make great friends. Army and Navy Academy is a top military school geared for boys in grades 7-12. Boarding School Dorms are offered on our 16 acre campus, as well a Day Option for local students.
Although the majority of our students do reside on campus in the dorms (aka “barracks”) at Army and Navy Academy, some local students enroll in the day program. The main difference between boarding versus day status centers around the 24/7 experience.
As the only boarding school in Carlsbad and the only private military high school on the west coast, dorm life is an important part of the campus life experience at the Academy. Similar to dormitories at the top boarding schools in the U.S., Army and Navy Academy has dorms with beds, closets, and desk spaces. However, here are some aspects of dorm life that really set the Academy dorm experience apart from other boarding schools.
At Army and Navy Academy, you will gain independence, self-discipline and follow a set of protocols as part of living in a dorm.
Boarding School Dorms Help Students
1. Learn How to Live with a Roommate.
Dorms at boarding school require roommates and the Academy is no exception. Learning how to live with others is an integral part of dorm and campus life. Although your preferences will be taken into account for a roommate, be prepared to be paired with someone from another state or even a different country.
Army and Navy Academy is home to students from all over the U.S., including: California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and even the midwest, south, and east coast. International students come from countries both near and far, including: Mexico, Canada, China, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam, S. Korea, Mongolia, Indonesia, Malaysia, France, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Ukraine, Rwanda, Dominican Republic, and the Philippines.
2. Learn How to Maintain Your Uniforms and Prepare Laundry.
Part of living away from home at a military boarding school entails learning the dress code, maintaining your uniforms, hanging them properly, and preparing your laundry every week. This is certainly the case at Army and Navy Academy, where formations are held throughout the day to ensure adherence to the dress code. This is great preparation for college and life.
3. Learn How to Follow Good Hygiene and Develop Life Habits.
Boarding school dorm life means following a structured way of life. Following a routine for personal hygiene, dress codes, eating healthy meals, getting exercise, and following the schedule to wake and go to sleep, all help form good habits that will prepare you for college and life beyond.
4. Learn How to Make a Bed Military Style.
Part of attending a military school is learning how to make your bed properly! Military style is required, including learning how to make a diagonal fold at the corner of the top sheet. Expect to make your bed every day in your dorm while attending this West Point-style military academy. Make your mom proud!
5. Learn How to Study Independently.
Students (aka “cadets”) are allowed to study in their dorms to keep up with homework, establish college prep study habits, and master academic subjects. If you are not passing classes or missing homework, you may be required to attend a supervised study hall. In college, you won’t have anyone supervising your studies, so it is important to follow good study habits in your dorm.
6. Learn How to Get Support and Mentorship.
In the evenings, beyond your assigned TAC officer, who will mentor and guide you, the faculty offers evening office hours on a scheduled basis. You are free to leave your dorm room and get support from faculty, peer tutors, or the counseling office. The Student Enrichment Center also offers special workshops and facilities for various purposes to augment dorm life.
7. Learn How to Protect and Secure Your Property.
Boarding school dorms are safe and secure. Nevertheless, students are given a code to secure their dorms and you will be expected to follow protocols to ensure the safety of your personal belongings. Being aware of your surroundings, making good peer choices, and taking care of your possessions are all part of living away from home.
8. Learn How to Prepare for Dorm Inspections.
Boarding school dorm inspections are part of the routine and structure of attending a military school. Students at the Academy should expect regular inspections to check for cleanliness, order, and life habit protocols. Remember that military schools are intentionally strict for safety reasons, especially when it comes to drugs and alcohol. Even prescriptions must be kept secured in the Health Center.
9. Learn How to Follow a Structured Schedule.
Military schools are structured, so the Army and Navy Academy wants to ensure students follow a structured schedule for classes, athletics, clubs, rest and relaxation, study time, as well as when you wake up and sleep. Creating a balanced day between academics, athletics, and campus life is all part of becoming an adult. Contact the Admission team to learn more about the structure.
10. Learn How to Communicate Effectively.
Dorm life at any boarding school in the U.S. typically includes dorm meetings. Boarding school dorm meetings are a way to address residential life issues in the dormitories and help you learn how to resolve conflicts, work in teams, and how to lead and guide others.
Boarding School Dorms in USA
As you can see, dorm life at this west coast military school is quite unique from other boarding schools in the U.S. and abroad. The West Point-style military approach provides young men with the structure and self-discipline to navigate life away from home.
Living away from home can help boys move toward manhood, as they learn how to navigate decisions, choices, and adhere to a rigorous, yet balanced daily schedule. As they learn how to take the lead in their lives, they become poised to face challenges with a growth mindset and the mental fitness required in college and life beyond. Dorm life at boarding school makes it possible to grow mentally, socially, and emotionally.
Need Structure, Independence, and Self-Discipline?
Contact the Office of Admission at 888.762.2338 or fill out our contact form. Schedule your personalized campus tour now!
What are the dorms like at this boarding school?
Middle school and high school students are in separate buildings and every “Company” (see ranks for more info) has an assigned TAC (Trainer, Advisor, Coach).
A number of dormitories have been renovated in recent years, alongside new buildings like the Duffield Sports Center, Beachfront Recreation Hall, and Student Enrichment Center.
Check out our blog about amenities to learn more.
Dorms include bed, closet, desks, chairs, and more. Plus, you have an oceanview when you walk out the door!
How are roommates chosen?
TAC Officers (trainer, advisor, coach) assign dormitories and roommates.
One of the benefits of attending a boarding school is the chance to meet someone from a different city in the U.S. or from a different country.
The Battalion staff (top student leaders) have the privilege of a special space to reside and meet, called Battalion Headquarters. Also, most high school students can choose their own roommates after the first year.
Check with your TAC officer if you have questions or concerns about your assignment.
Do you have adults monitor the dormitories?
The short answer is yes. TAC officers are adults who support student activities after classes end and through the night, including: tutorial period, athletics, “local liberty”, morning and evening meals, study time, dorm meetings, dorm inspections, dorm safety, lights out, and much more. They are here to mentor and guide cadets in all aspects of campus life.
What kind of security is offered on campus?
To ensure the safety and privacy of all cadets, there is an Operations Office with full campus surveillance systems. In accordance with privacy laws, the cameras show only the exteriors of dorms and the buildings on campus. There are also staff members who are charged with roaming the campus at night, securing the gates, and monitoring alert systems to ensure safety on campus.
How does this Academy differ from other boarding schools?
Every school is unique and different, but Army and Navy Academy is the only military school on the west coast offering an intensive leadership training program, career oriented programs like the Warrior Aviation Program, and a strong emphasis on character development. Check out The ANA Difference.
The other boarding schools near you might include St Catherine’s Academy in Anaheim, a school for boys in grades 4-8th with a Catholic tradition. Then there is the Webb School in Claremont, which has a Paleontology Museum on campus. Southwestern Academy in Pasadena caters primarily to international students, and then of course, there are a number of boarding schools located in Ojai. To name a few, boarding schools in Ojai include Ojai Valley School, Besant Hill School, Thacher, and Villanova Preparatory.
Why do teens live away from home?
Sometimes families ask, “why would you send your child away to boarding school?” Although we fully understand this question, consider the east coast and European countries, where it is far more typical to hear the common refrain, “why wouldn’t you send your teen to a boarding school?” With boarding schools more prevalent on the east coast and abroad, they know the history and appreciate the many positive outcomes that result from a boarding school experience. To determine if you might be a good fit for Army and Navy Academy, check out our typical student profiles under Who We Are.
If I live close enough, is it okay to go home on the weekend?
Yes, some students go home on the weekend or during selected weekends. Airports are close by, so some even fly home on longer weekends. Block schedule on Fridays helps too and allows students to get out early. On Closed Weekends, all cadets must stay on campus for events and/or special training.
Do you get to go home during the holidays?
Yes, all students are required to go home or stay with a host family during holidays and during the summer.
Are boarding schools for high achievers only?
Keep in mind that admission criteria can vary widely in boarding schools. Boarding schools are college preparatory and some have very rigorous standards, while others are more flexible.
Unlike many boarding schools, Army and Navy Academy fully appreciates the challenges of being a teenage boy in today’s world. With this in mind, we are more open to candidates with high commitment and potential.
Whether you are bound for The Ivy League, West Point, or struggling to reach your full potential, attending Army and Navy Academy can be transformative.
Learn more in our article about boarding schools and how they help students who have struggled in school.
What are the rules like at Army and Navy Academy?
Policies and procedures are outlined in the Cadet Guidebook and reviewed during training sessions. All cadets are expected to comply with policies. Noncompliance may result in dismissal, so we ask all students to adhere to the policies. Student leaders are highly involved in mentoring and guiding cadets. We want every young man to be set up to succeed in order to achiever personal goals and contribute to the Corps of Cadets.
In addition, the Academy has an Honor Council to ensure cadets adhere to the motto “do not lie, cheat, steal, nor tolerate those who do.” At Army and Navy Academy, our values of honor, integrity, respect, responsibility, compassion and gratitude are integral to leadership training and character development. It shouldn’t come as any surprise that the values and ethics carry over in the boarding school dorms at this San Diego military school.
Are students allowed to study in their dorm rooms?
Yes, most cadets study in their dorm rooms during the mandatory study time in the evening. However, if a student is falling behind on homework or not passing a class, he may be required to attend the supervised study hall.
Academics are rigorous and college preparatory, so students are expected to maximize learning through after school tutorials, office hours with faculty, and study periods. Very similar to college, students learn how to seek out support, receive individualized support, and become independent learners.
Will we get to see the dorms when we schedule a tour?
Yes, absolutely! Contact the Admission Office to schedule your personalized tour and campus visit.
“This is not a school — it’s an institution for life, success, cultural intelligence and relationships. The range of diversity among the cadets helped me to grow with others of all different backgrounds. I use what I learned at Army and Navy Academy more in my everyday life than my college education.”
— Alex H. (Alumnus)