Age and Grade Matter
Military schools serve a wide range of ages, from elementary through post-graduate. Understanding age requirements and grade placement policies helps families find the right fit.
Age Ranges by School Type
Elementary Military Schools (Grades K-5)
- Rare but they exist
- Ages 5-11 typically
- Focus on discipline, structure, and academic foundation
- Usually day schools, not boarding
Middle School Programs (Grades 6-8)
- Ages 11-14
- Some schools start boarding at 6th grade
- Others begin at 7th or 8th grade
- Younger boarders need more supervision and support
High School Programs (Grades 9-12)
- Most common military school format
- Ages 14-18 typically
- Some schools accept older students (19) for grade 12
Post-Graduate Year (PG)
- Additional year after high school graduation
- Ages 18-19
- Designed for college/academy preparation
- Not available at all schools
Common Age Policies
Minimum Age for Boarding Most boarding schools require students to be at least 12-13 years old. Younger students typically attend as day students if available.
Maximum Age
- Most schools cap enrollment at age 19 for entering seniors
- Post-graduate programs may accept students up to 20
- Service academies have strict age limits (must be under 23 at enrollment)
Age-Grade Alignment Schools generally expect students to be within one year of typical age for their grade. A 16-year-old freshman or 19-year-old junior may face additional scrutiny.
Grade Placement Decisions
Transcript Review Schools evaluate:
- Credits earned
- Course completion
- Academic performance
- State graduation requirements
Placement Testing Many schools administer placement tests in:
- Math
- English/Reading
- Sometimes science and foreign language
Repeating a Grade Some students benefit from repeating a grade, especially if:
- Transferring from a weaker academic program
- Needing time to mature
- Building athletic eligibility
- Preparing for competitive college admissions
Military schools often normalize grade repetition more than traditional schools.
The Post-Graduate Year Option
A "PG year" is an additional year between high school and college. Students choose PG for:
- Academic improvement: Raise GPA, retake SAT/ACT
- Athletic development: Physical maturity, additional recruiting exposure
- Service academy preparation: Strengthen application for West Point, Navy, etc.
- Maturity: Extra year before college demands
- Leadership experience: Often serve as cadet officers
Not all military schools offer PG programs. Those that do are often highly competitive.
Questions to Ask About Age/Placement
- What is your minimum boarding age?
- Do you accept students older than typical for their grade?
- How do you handle grade placement for transfer students?
- What is your policy on students repeating a grade?
- Do you offer a post-graduate year program?
- Are there age restrictions for specific programs (flight training, etc.)?
Special Considerations
Young for Grade Students who are young for their grade may struggle with:
- Physical demands of military training
- Social dynamics with older classmates
- Emotional readiness for boarding
Consider starting as a day student or waiting a year.
Old for Grade Older students may face:
- Questions about academic history
- Age-out issues for athletics
- Feeling out of place socially
A PG year may be a better fit than entering as a 19-year-old senior.
Birthdate Cutoffs Some programs have strict birthdate requirements:
- Service academies: Must enter before 23rd birthday
- ROTC scholarships: Age limits for commissioning
- Athletic eligibility: Based on birthdate, not grade
Next Steps
Browse military schools to find programs matching your student's age and grade needs. Learn about post-graduate year programs and service academy preparation.