A Certain Military Academy has an interesting facade and is a seemingly prudent choice for any school age child and slightly more for a college student. There is no relationship between the junior high (7-8 grades), senior high (9-12 grades) and college age (1-2 years) and no consistent leadership or discipline for cadets who spoil of the never ending write-ups that are in the place of any real hands-on leadership. Even the barrack 'tacks', which oversee the cadets outside school, continue the write-up frenzy. There are good people, trying to be good examples, but the lack of robust school policies leave all instructors, personnel and leaders at the school to write-up indiscretions rather than teach any solid character attributes.
My son Christopher attended A Certain Military Academy for two years, during which he and the family were convinced that this would be a life changing experience. We were in for a surprise! His initial 3 months were filled with excitement, expectation and a yearning to elevate his rank for more benefit around the campus and with his friends and school leaders. Month 4 was an eye-opener as our collective experiences brought insight to the schools lack of robust policy, teaching cadets and leaders to do nothing more than write-up another cadet who is out of step. The lack of authority within the school’s rank and file is striking and somewhat unbelievable. Over the next 6 months as Christopher went through the schools leadership training and attempted to exercise his leadership with new incoming 'plebes' he was consistently shut down by his cadet and school leaders for teaching the rules and not providing easy to pass lessons, or acting as Christopher put it. This experience branded our son as too strong for the leadership team, as he tried to demand the same examples he would expect from his leadership.
At the close of year 2 our assessment of A Certain Military Academy went from great awe to a great yawn. The school is nothing more than an over-priced baby-sitting scheme whereby teachers, instructors and school leaders are not expected nor challenged to provide real guidance, only exercise their penmanship when writing-up a cadet. Their sole discretion is the write-up. We challenged the schools commandant and received what I thought was at least, the only point of authority that I was able to find. His reply was that while reviewing a cadet’s write-ups he would exercise his judgment on school policy for dealing with any questions of leadership at his level. I was glad that the never-ending write-ups were at least being looked at by the leading figure of the school to make decisions.
I am passionately disappointed in A Certain Military Academy after my more than $60,000 was spent, but more, two years of my son’s life were wasted. what turned-out to be, nothing more than a ritual of good people with good intentions, trying to make a difference in a school whose rote policies promote a consistent lack of authority and leadership.
My wife and I contributed to the school and participated in activities as we could, since we lived out of state, but still were unable to find any quality of leadership around the parent gatherings and activities. The activities we participated in seemed out-of-place, uncomfortable and not from a closely knit community of supporters.
The parents, church, school and military gatherings had selected interest, but nothing beyond the identification of a parent for their personal contributions to the school. Once I realized that this shortcoming was at the expense of my participation, my money and my family I took action to immediately remove my cadet from that environment and he is now learning life alongside my daughter as she excels in a private college, learning from wonderful, character oriented experiences in the smaller town of Harrisburg, PA. The same choices that can be formed in any family, any place, any time by simply taking interest in your children far excel what little value we received from the Academy.
The Academy experience was the worst mistake that I have encouraged for my son and my family. I have truly learned that a lifetime with the people you love is exceedingly more important than the possibility for over-paying for child day-care. I truly wish that no other parent would experience the great decline in expectation that I experienced at the cost of my family and my money from A Certain Military Academy.
It is very difficult for me to come through the fire of trial and error only to find that error was the correct choice for the Academy.
Diversity in student populations, yes. Diversity in student value, no. Low value all around. The school population over 2006-2008 went from 400 to 600 with a 50% decline in quality education and any semblance of military teaching.
Shunned By Catholic Schools
My son has attended catholic schools since he was 5 years old. Unfortunately, in the tenth grade he failed our of Saint Francis Prep.in Queens. I have contacted all the catholic schools in my area and none will admit even though he has passed all his classed during the summer. schools are closing . Yet here is a family in search of one catholic school with compassion, with heart, with understanding to allow a young man to continue with his catholic education. The catholic schools have turned their backs on us. We have supported The Knights of Columbus, CYO and home school Association. Forget about the magazines, candy drive etc. There is no place for us. We have been shunned. Perhaps the school should change some of their policies.
Dear Shunned,
I don't know the details of why your son had to leave the school, but would suggest that you meet with a counselor and figure out a strategy for future success.
