All-Boys Military Schools in the U.S.
Twelve military schools in the United States remain all-boys — eight boarding academies, three day schools, and one elementary program. While most military schools today are coeducational, these twelve believe single-gender education offers distinct advantages for young men — fewer distractions, tailored teaching approaches, and strong brotherhood.
All-Boys Military Boarding Schools
Eight all-boys schools offer the traditional boarding experience — our guide to military boarding schools covers coed options as well:
Marine Military Academy (Harlingen, TX) — The only school in the nation with Marine Corps JROTC. Known for rigorous physical training and the iconic Iwo Jima Memorial replica on campus. Grades 7-12 plus post-graduate. ~$51,500/year.
Fork Union Military Academy (Fork Union, VA) — Famous for its unique "One Subject Plan" where students focus on one course at a time. Baptist affiliation, Army JROTC. Grades 7-12 plus post-graduate. ~$40,000/year.
Fishburne Military School (Waynesboro, VA) — The oldest private military school in Virginia (1879). Small school with about 175 students, Army JROTC. Grades 6-12 plus post-graduate. ~$39,000/year.
Hargrave Military Academy (Chatham, VA) — Baptist school known for strong athletics, including an elite basketball program. Army JROTC. Grades 7-12 plus post-graduate. ~$45,000/year.
Camden Military Academy (Camden, SC) — Boarding-only school with a structured environment. Army JROTC, small classes (12:1 ratio). Grades 7-12 plus post-graduate. ~$32,000/year.
Missouri Military Academy (Mexico, MO) — Over 130 years of history in the heartland. Army JROTC, 7:1 student-teacher ratio. Grades 7-12 plus post-graduate. ~$41,600/year.
Army & Navy Academy (Carlsbad, CA) — Military boarding school located near San Diego. Founded 1910, offers both boarding and day options. Grades 7-12. ~$62,000/year boarding.
Riverside Prep (Gainesville, GA) — Small school (8:1 ratio) an hour northeast of Atlanta. Army JROTC, both boarding and day. Grades 6-12. ~$61,200/year boarding, ~$20,600 day.
All-Boys Day Schools
Three military schools serve day students only:
Saint Thomas Academy (Mendota Heights, MN) — Catholic school in the Twin Cities with Army JROTC. One of the few military day schools in the nation. Grades 6-12. ~$28,000/year (grades 9-12).
Benedictine Military School (Savannah, GA) — Catholic day school founded by Benedictine monks in 1902. Strong athletics and Army JROTC. Grades 9-12. ~$18,500/year.
Benedictine College Preparatory (Goochland, VA) — Catholic day school near Richmond with Army JROTC. Grades 9-12. ~$25,650/year.
Elementary Military Schools for Boys
St. Catherine's Academy in Anaheim, California is essentially the only dedicated elementary military school for boys in the country, serving Transitional Kindergarten through 8th grade. Very few military schools accept boys below 5th grade:
St. Catherine's Academy (Anaheim, CA) — One of the few military schools in the nation serving younger boys. Catholic, founded 1889 by Dominican sisters. Offers boarding starting in early grades. Transitional Kindergarten through 8th grade. ~$20,000/year day; boarding offered for grades 4-8.
Honorable Mention: Culver Military Academy
Culver Academies (Culver, IN) is technically coeducational, but it maintains separate programs. Culver Military Academy (CMA) is the all-boys track where cadets live in barracks, wear uniforms, and follow Army JROTC traditions. Girls attend the separate Culver Girls Academy on the same campus. ~$67,000/year.
Why Choose an All-Boys Military School?
Families choose all-boys military schools for four main reasons — focused learning, brotherhood, fewer distractions, and tradition:
- Focused Learning — Research suggests boys may learn differently; single-gender schools can tailor teaching methods
- Brotherhood — Strong bonds form among cadets who live, train, and study together
- Fewer Distractions — Some families believe removing social dynamics allows boys to focus on academics and personal growth
- Tradition — Many of these schools have 100+ years of history developing young men
How to Choose
Consider these factors when selecting an all-boys military school:
- Location — Do you want your son close to home or is distance acceptable?
- Religious Affiliation — Several schools (Fork Union, Hargrave, Saint Thomas, Benedictines) have faith-based missions
- Age/Grade — Most start at 7th grade; St. Catherine's serves elementary
- JROTC Branch — Most offer Army; Marine Military Academy offers Marine Corps
- Cost — Ranges from ~$32,000 to ~$67,000 for boarding
- Special Programs — Fork Union's One Subject Plan, MMA's physical rigor, etc.
Find a Boys Military School Near You
All-boys boarding schools cluster in a handful of states, but because they board, most families enroll from out of state — the nearest school is rarely more than a day's drive:
- Virginia — Fork Union, Fishburne, Hargrave, and Benedictine College Prep make Virginia the top state for boys' military schools
- Texas — Marine Military Academy serves the Texas and Gulf Coast region
- California — Army & Navy Academy and St. Catherine's cover the West Coast (California)
- Southeast — Camden Military Academy in South Carolina, Riverside Prep and Benedictine Military School in Georgia
- Midwest — Missouri Military Academy in Missouri, Saint Thomas Academy in Minnesota, and Culver in Indiana
Browse all schools in our directory or filter by state to find options near you.
Next Steps
Looking for options for a daughter instead? See military schools for girls. Learn how to evaluate a military school during your campus visit. Understand the culture and safety of military school environments. For regional deep-dives, explore Missouri Military Academy and the Culver experience.