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The fact that many military schools in the US are topnotch in terms of academic, athletic, and extracurricular programs is a well-established fact. However, when choosing a school for your child, quality isn't the only thing to consider. There are a few other things to consider when on a mission to "find the perfect match". First of all, one must consider the most common misconception about military schools. The fact is that these schools aren't juvenile boot camps where parents send their troubled teens to get "fixed". These schools are just like private boarding schools except that they incorporate some aspects of military tradition. Not all of them can accommodate troubled teens, or teens with ADHD/ADD and learning disabilities. Most of them have a long line of students waiting for admission. Most are looking for motivated young people who show aptitude not just in their academics but also who show great leadership potential. Second, the atmosphere in a military school is not exactly the same as the atmosphere of, say a therapeutic boarding school. Smaller therapeutic schools can be more nurturing, have a tightly-knit community because of its significantly smaller size and different focus. If your child could use some therapy or is battling some issues with defiance, depression, substance abuse, or similar issues, then military schools are not exactly a good option. Determine your child's needs first and see if the academic program and other supplementary programs would best fit that. Third, there's also the matter of your child's interest. There are some other schools that would fit specific kinds of interests of children. For example, there are pre-professional schools for children who excel in the arts, athletics or science and math. These specialized schools offer additional benefits for children with exceptional aptitude in particular areas. For example, pre-professional schools for children with exceptional aptitude in music often have job fairs, resource speakers, and career guidance specifically pertaining to music. If your child has an aptitude for specific subjects, he or she may be happier in a different kind of school. Getting your child to warm up to the idea of going to boarding school may be a bit of a challenge. It may help to involve him in some parts of the decision making too, while leaving the big decision to you. Researching the possible schools and taking them when you visit may also be a good decision. Sometimes, listening to your child's first gut reaction could be a good thing to factor into your decision making. Knowing what kind of sports programs are offered, the facilities that they have, how often he can be visited or phone privileges and other activities may help your child warm up to the idea of leaving home to study. Whatever you decide on, one thing is for certain. If your child's needs and personality matches the kind of environment he'll be immersed in in a military school, graduating from a good one will certainly open doors of opportunity for him in the future.
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