Understanding Your Options
Public Military Academies
California has four tuition-free public military academies. Oakland Military Institute serves grades 6-12 in partnership with the California National Guard. California Military Institute in Perris serves grades 5-12 and is affiliated with the California Cadet Corps. Porterville Military Academy serves grades 7-12 with California Cadet Corps. Leadership Military Academy in Moreno Valley serves grades 9-12. All are day schools with military structure, uniforms, and leadership development.
Private Boarding Schools
Two private military schools serve California students. Army & Navy Academy in Carlsbad is an all-boys boarding and day school for grades 7-12, founded in 1910. St. Catherine's Academy in Anaheim is unique—a Catholic military school for boys in transitional kindergarten through 8th grade with boarding options, one of the few elementary military schools in the nation.
Youth Challenge Programs
California operates three National Guard Youth Challenge programs: Grizzly Youth Academy (San Luis Obispo), Sunburst Youth Challenge Academy (Los Alamitos), and Discovery Challenge Academy (Lathrop). These free 22-week residential programs serve at-risk youth ages 16-18, focusing on academic re-engagement and life skills.
Admissions & Residency Rules
Geographic Requirements
Public military academies have district enrollment zones: Oakland Military Institute serves Oakland and surrounding areas; California Military Institute serves Perris area. Challenge programs accept at-risk youth statewide. Private schools (Army & Navy Academy, St. Catherine's) accept students nationally and internationally.
The Golden State's Military Education Options
California takes a different approach to military education than most states. Rather than emphasizing private boarding schools, the state has invested in public military academies and Youth Challenge programs—giving families free options for structured, disciplined education.
Public Military Academies
Four tuition-free public schools bring military structure to California students:
Oakland Military Institute - Founded in 2001 in partnership with the California National Guard, OMI serves grades 6-12 in Oakland (across the bay from San Francisco). The school combines college-prep academics with military leadership training. Day school only, open enrollment.
California Military Institute - Located in Perris (Riverside County, about an hour east of Los Angeles), CMI serves grades 5-12 and is affiliated with the California Cadet Corps. Students wear uniforms, learn drill, and develop leadership skills in a structured environment. Day school, open enrollment.
Porterville Military Academy - Located in the Central Valley, PMA serves grades 7-12 with California Cadet Corps. Founded by a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, it develops "21st Century leaders" through military training and Project Lead The Way academics.
Leadership Military Academy - A small charter school in Moreno Valley (Riverside County) serving grades 9-12. With just 129 students and a 13:1 ratio, LMA offers personalized military education with 1:1 technology and provided uniforms.
Private Military Schools
California has two private military schools for boys, each with a different approach:
Army & Navy Academy - The state's premier military boarding school, located in Carlsbad (about 30 minutes north of San Diego, 90 minutes from Los Angeles). This all-boys school serves grades 7-12 with both boarding and day options. Founded in 1910, it offers a full military experience with JROTC, athletics, and college-prep academics.
St. Catherine's Academy - A unique Catholic military school in Anaheim (Orange County, near Los Angeles) serving boys from transitional kindergarten through 8th grade. One of the few elementary military schools in the nation, St. Catherine's offers boarding starting in early grades. Founded in 1889 by Dominican sisters.
Challenge Academies
California operates three National Guard Youth Challenge programs—free residential options for at-risk youth ages 16-18:
- Grizzly Youth Academy - San Luis Obispo (Central Coast, between Los Angeles and San Francisco)
- Sunburst Youth Challenge Academy - Los Alamitos (Orange County, near Los Angeles)
- Discovery Challenge Academy - Lathrop (Central Valley, near Stockton)
These 22-week programs focus on academic re-engagement, life skills, and character development for youth who have dropped out or are at risk of not graduating.
Higher Education
California State University Maritime Academy - Cal Maritime in Vallejo (San Francisco Bay Area, about 30 miles from San Francisco) trains students for careers in the maritime industry, with options for military commissioning.
Naval Postgraduate School - Located in Monterey, NPS provides graduate education for military officers. This is a professional military education institution, not a K-12 school.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any free military schools in California?
Yes. California has four tuition-free public military academies: Oakland Military Institute, California Military Institute, Porterville Military Academy, and Leadership Military Academy. California also has three free Challenge academies for at-risk youth ages 16-18: Grizzly Youth Academy, Sunburst Youth Challenge Academy, and Discovery Challenge Academy.
Which California military schools offer boarding?
Army & Navy Academy in Carlsbad offers boarding for grades 7-12. St. Catherine's Academy in Anaheim offers boarding for elementary boys. All three Challenge academies are residential programs. The public academies (Oakland, California Military Institute) are day schools only.
Are there any military schools for girls in California?
Oakland Military Institute, California Military Institute, Cal Maritime, and all Challenge programs are coed. Army & Navy Academy and St. Catherine's Academy are boys-only. There are no all-girls military schools in California.
What is the youngest age for military school in California?
St. Catherine's Academy in Anaheim accepts boys starting in transitional kindergarten (age 4-5), making it one of the youngest-serving military schools in the nation. Army & Navy Academy starts at 7th grade.
What is the California Cadet Corps?
The California Cadet Corps (CACC) is a state-sponsored youth development program affiliated with the California National Guard. California Military Institute in Perris is a CACC school. The program provides military-style training and leadership development without being JROTC.