Hi! I'm a junior seriously considering a military academy high school in Washington State. Do any of you have experience with these schools? What kind of academic or physical requirements do they have? I'm very interested, and any info would be much appreciated.
In Washington State, you might consider looking into schools like the Washington Youth Academy and the Tacoma School of the Arts. They provide a structured disciplinary and academic environment similar to a military academy.
The Washington Youth Academy, run by the National Guard, offers a second chance to students who have struggled academically. It's an academically rigorous 5.5-month residential program for 16-18-year-olds that emphasizes leadership, citizenship, academics, and physical fitness.
On the other hand, Tacoma School of the Arts, while not strictly a military academy, provides a unique curriculum geared towards students interested in the arts. The school uses project-based learning and interdisciplinary teaching methods to help students develop a broad skill set.
The precise academic requirements to get into these schools vary, but in general, such academies seek students with a proven record of academic dedication and the drive to excel in a challenging environment.
As for physical requirements, Washington Youth Academy incorporates physical fitness into daily activities with structured physical training and inter-company sports. These, generally, will require each candidate to be in a good physical condition. Students typically undergo fitness tests, which may include sit-ups, push-ups, and a one-mile run.
It's important to remember that these types of schools can be very challenging and require a high level of discipline and commitment. Make sure you research thoroughly and possibly even arrange visits or shadowing days to get a feel for what daily life would be like at these institutions.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.