Understanding Your Options
Public Military Academies
Four tuition-free options serve Florida students. Sarasota Military Academy is a charter school for grades 6-12 with Army JROTC and nearly 1,000 students. Summerlin Academy in Bartow is a military magnet within Polk County schools. The Entrepreneur & Leadership Military Academy (ELMA) at Hollywood Hills High serves Broward County students. Joseph Stilwell Military Academy of Leadership (JSMAL) in Jacksonville is a middle school magnet serving grades 6-8.
Private Boarding Schools
Florida has two private military boarding schools. Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg is a coed Naval NJROTC school founded in 1933, offering boarding and day options. Florida Preparatory Academy in Melbourne (formerly Florida Air Academy) is a coed school with Air Force traditions. Both accept students from across the country.
Youth Challenge Programs
Florida no longer has a Youth Challenge program. The Florida National Guard closed the Florida Youth Challenge Academy in Starke in June 2026 after 25 years and roughly 6,500 graduates, citing operational demands; Class 50 graduated June 9, 2026, and no further applicants are accepted. Florida families seeking a free residential program for a 16-18-year-old who has dropped out should look to Georgia, which runs two campuses, or to Mississippi and South Carolina — some academies take out-of-state cadets when space allows.
Admissions & Residency Rules
Geographic Requirements
Private boarding schools (Admiral Farragut, Florida Prep) accept students nationally and internationally. Public options have district requirements: Sarasota Military Academy enrolls residents of Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte counties; Summerlin Academy serves Polk County; ELMA serves Broward County; JSMAL serves Duval County (Jacksonville).
The Sunshine State's Military Education Options
Florida offers a diverse mix of military education—from historic private boarding academies to innovative public charter programs. The state's generous school choice programs make private military education more accessible than in many other states.
Private Military Boarding Schools
Two private academies offer boarding options in Florida:
Admiral Farragut Academy - Founded in 1933 in St. Petersburg (Tampa Bay area), this coed school carries on a proud naval tradition. Unique programs include Aviation (earn your Private Pilot's License at 16 with Embry-Riddle dual enrollment), Marine Science, and SCUBA certification. The 40-acre waterfront campus on Boca Ciega Bay offers sailing, kayaking, and maritime training. Grades K-12, with boarding for grades 8-12. Boarding tuition was $62,000 for 2025-26; the school has not published 2026-27 rates — contact the school for current pricing. Two alumni walked on the Moon.
Florida Preparatory Academy - Located in Melbourne on Florida's Space Coast (about an hour east of Orlando, 3 hours north of Miami), this coed school (formerly Florida Air Academy) offers flight training through Florida Institute of Technology—students can earn their Private Pilot's License before graduation. Small class sizes (7:1 ratio) and Air Force traditions define the experience. Day for grades 6-12, boarding for grades 9-12; boarding tuition is $47,800 (2026-27).
Public and Charter Options
Florida leads the Southeast in tuition-free military education:
Sarasota Military Academy - Located in Sarasota (about an hour south of Tampa), this charter school is an IB World School offering both the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and Middle Years Programme. Nearly 1,000 students in grades 6-12 across two campuses. Army JROTC, tuition-free, 96% college matriculation. Olympic silver medalist Mary Tucker (shooting) is an alumna.
Summerlin Academy - A military magnet program within Bartow High School (about 45 minutes east of Tampa, midway between Tampa and Orlando) serving Polk County students. Grades 9-12, Army traditions, completely free for district residents.
ELMA at Hollywood Hills High - Located in Hollywood (between Miami and Fort Lauderdale), the Entrepreneur & Leadership Military Academy combines military structure with business education. Serves Broward County students, grades 9-12, tuition-free.
Joseph Stilwell Military Academy of Leadership - Located in Jacksonville (Westside), JSMAL is the only dedicated military leadership magnet middle school in Duval County. Named after General Joseph Stilwell, this grades 6-8 program prepares cadets for high school JROTC programs. Tuition-free for Duval County students.
Youth Challenge Option
Florida families who need a free residential program for a 16-18-year-old who has dropped out or fallen badly behind now have to look across a state line. The closest options are Georgia's two campuses — Fort Stewart and Fort Eisenhower — along with South Carolina and Mississippi. Some academies accept out-of-state cadets when space allows; contact the program directly.
Florida Youth Challenge Academy in Starke closed in June 2026. The Florida National Guard announced on April 8, 2026 that it was ending the program to refocus resources on its primary mission. Class 50 graduated June 9, 2026, closing a 25-year run of roughly 6,500 cadets, and the academy is no longer accepting applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any free military schools in Florida?
Yes. Sarasota Military Academy is a tuition-free charter school for grades 6-12. Summerlin Academy in Bartow, ELMA at Hollywood Hills High, and Joseph Stilwell Military Academy (JSMAL) in Jacksonville are free public magnet programs. The free Florida Youth Challenge Academy in Starke closed in June 2026.
Which Florida military schools offer boarding?
Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg offers boarding for grades 8-12, and Florida Preparatory Academy in Melbourne offers boarding for grades 9-12. These are the state's only two boarding options — the public and charter schools are day programs only, and the residential Florida Youth Challenge Academy closed in June 2026.
Can Florida school choice programs pay for military academy tuition?
Yes. Florida's Family Empowerment Scholarship is universal—all K-12 students are eligible regardless of income. For 2026-27, awards run $7,463-$12,217 depending on county of residence and grade band, averaging about $8,000, which can significantly offset private military academy tuition at Admiral Farragut (Pinellas County: $7,868-$8,643) or Florida Prep (Brevard County: $7,701-$8,494). Apply through Step Up For Students.
What is the naval military school in Florida?
Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg is Florida's naval military school. Founded in 1933 and designated an Honor Naval Academy by Act of Congress, it runs an NJROTC program — all eighth-graders complete a year of Naval Science — on a 40-acre waterfront campus on Boca Ciega Bay.
Is Florida Youth Challenge Academy still open?
No. The Florida National Guard closed the Florida Youth Challenge Academy in Starke in June 2026, citing operational demands on its soldiers and airmen. Class 50 graduated June 9, 2026 — the final residential class after 25 years and roughly 6,500 cadets — and no further applicants are accepted. The nearest free residential alternatives are Georgia's two Youth Challenge campuses at Fort Stewart and Fort Eisenhower.
Is Florida Air Academy still open?
Florida Air Academy rebranded as Florida Preparatory Academy. The school is still operating in Melbourne and maintains its Air Force traditions, though it's no longer exclusively aviation-focused.