A Parent’s Guide to Military Schools:
Nurturing Leadership and Excellence
Registering your child in a military school is a big decision, requiring significant planning and thought. The military school model offers a one-of-a-kind academic, physical, and emotional experience. If you are a parent considering this option, it is crucial to understand military life and the long-term impact it will have on your son and your family.
Understanding the Military School Experience
Unique Mission and Values
One crucial aspect that sets military schools apart from other private and public school systems is their unique mission and values. Understanding a school’s core values and mission is essential for determining whether they align with your child’s goals and aspirations.
At Robert Land Academy, our vision is to develop boys into young men who possess leadership, citizenship, and self-regulation to participate and contribute to society. We foster individuals with self-discipline and confidence to achieve their academic, moral, and physical potential. Our mission is to challenge our students to reach these potentials through our year-round programming. We strive to develop boys into young men who embody the five values of the Academy: commitment, courage, labour, loyalty, and honour.
A Structured Environment
A second factor to consider when understanding the military school experience is the structured environment. A military school’s structured environment is rigorously designed to instill discipline, responsibility, and leadership skills in its students. The daily life in such institutions is highly regimented, with strict schedules that include early morning wake-up calls, physical training, academic classes, and designated times for meals and personal activities. This structured environment provides students with a predictable framework designed for student success.
At Robert Land Academy, our students are expected to adhere to a specific code of conduct and routine. Discipline is important, not as punishment, but to teach our students self-regulation, determination, and hard work in physical, academic, and emotional situations.
Academic Support
Thirdly, military schools take academics very seriously. The schools typically employ experienced instructors who emphasize critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication skills. Small class sizes, caring teachers, and mandatory study halls ensure that students meet their educational objectives, and extracurricular activities like academic clubs and competitions further enrich the learning experience. This academic rigour, combined with the structured environment, prepares students for higher education and the challenges they will face in their professional and personal lives.
The curriculum at Robert Land Academy is challenging and designed to prepare our students for success in their post-secondary education and careers after that. Our focus on academics also allows opportunities for our students to develop leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. With small class sizes, mandatory study halls, teacher-led tutorials after school, and a passionate team of teachers, students at the Academy often experience tremendous academic improvement.
Choosing the Right Military School
You may be set on sending your child to military school, but it is important to choose one that best suits your family. Research and campus visits are the best ways to navigate your options. Consider various factors such as location, size, programs offered, faculty credentials, and alumni success.
Robert Land Academy is happy to provide their inquiring families with extensive feedback on any of these topics. Campus visits are a great way to understand the school’s culture, see the facilities, and speak with the staff directly. This will help you understand whether the military school is right for your family. To book an admissions tour at Robert Land Academy, you can contact our admissions staff at admissions@rla.ca.
Preparing Your Child for Military School
Once your family decides what is best for your son’s future, it’s time to help him prepare. Students are more likely to succeed when parents are open and honest about the expectations and challenges that will come hand-in-hand with attending a military school.
At Robert Land Academy, our admissions team will walk you through this process and speak with your son about the challenges and long-term benefits of attending the Academy. The most important part of preparing your child is showing them the support and encouragement they need to achieve. It’s easier for them to believe in themselves when their friends and family believe in them, too.
Conclusion
Sending your son to a military school will be a big but transformative decision. It is important to take the time to be informed about the military school culture and ultimately to provide them with the encouragement and support they need to commit to attending and taking on the challenges that they will face. If you have questions about the admissions process at Robert Land Academy and are considering enrolling your son, talk to us today at admissions@rla.ca.