Understanding Your Options
Public Military Academies
New Orleans Military & Maritime Academy (NOMMA) is a tuition-free public charter school serving grades 8-12. All students are cadets in the Marine Corps JROTC program—one of the few Marines-affiliated schools in the nation. Founded in 2011, it has nearly 1,000 students.
Youth Challenge Programs
Louisiana operates three Youth Challenge programs, more than most states. Camp Beauregard (Pineville) is the oldest, founded 1993. Camp Minden and Gillis Long (Carville) provide additional capacity. All are free 22-week residential programs for at-risk youth ages 16-18.
Admissions & Residency Rules
Geographic Requirements
NOMMA serves New Orleans area students through the public school system. LSU accepts students statewide with in-state tuition for Louisiana residents. Challenge programs serve eligible Louisiana youth statewide with three locations across the state.
Louisiana's Military Education Options
Louisiana stands out for its emphasis on free, publicly funded military education. With no private military boarding schools in-state, families have access to one of the nation's best public military charters and three Challenge programs for at-risk youth.
Public Military Charter
New Orleans Military & Maritime Academy (NOMMA) - Founded in 2011, NOMMA is a tuition-free public charter school serving grades 8-12 in New Orleans. All students are cadets in the Marine Corps JROTC program—one of only a handful of Marines-affiliated schools nationwide. With nearly 1,000 students, it's one of the largest military charter schools in the South.
University Corps Program
LSU Corps of Cadets - Louisiana State University's Corps of Cadets in Baton Rouge (about 80 miles from New Orleans) has trained military officers since 1860 under the "Ole War Skule" tradition. About 350 cadets participate in this voluntary program, smaller and more intimate than Texas A&M's massive corps. LSU offers Army, Navy/Marine, and Air Force ROTC commissioning paths at affordable public university rates.
Challenge Programs
Louisiana operates three National Guard Youth Challenge programs—free residential options for at-risk youth ages 16-18:
- Camp Beauregard - Pineville (central Louisiana), founded 1993
- Camp Minden - Minden (north Louisiana), founded 2002
- Gillis Long - Carville (near Baton Rouge), founded 1999
All three offer free 22-week residential programs focused on GED preparation, life skills, and character development.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any free military schools in Louisiana?
Yes. NOMMA in New Orleans is a tuition-free public charter. All three Challenge programs (Camp Beauregard, Camp Minden, Gillis Long) are free for eligible at-risk youth. LSU offers affordable public university rates.
Are there private military boarding schools in Louisiana?
No. Louisiana does not have traditional private military boarding schools. Families seeking boarding options should consider Texas (Marine Military Academy) or Alabama (Marion Military Institute).
What is NOMMA?
New Orleans Military & Maritime Academy is a tuition-free public charter school serving grades 8-12. All students participate in Marine Corps JROTC—making it one of the few Marines-affiliated schools in the nation.
Does LSU have a Corps of Cadets?
Yes. LSU's Corps of Cadets has about 350 cadets and offers Army, Navy/Marine, and Air Force ROTC. Note: LSU is not a federally designated Senior Military College (the 6 SMCs are Citadel, VMI, Norwich, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, and North Georgia), but has a deep 'Ole War Skule' military tradition dating to 1860.
Why does Louisiana have so many Challenge programs?
Louisiana has three Challenge academies to serve at-risk youth across its large geographic area: Camp Beauregard (central), Camp Minden (north), and Gillis Long (southeast near Baton Rouge). All three are free and have been operating since the 1990s-2000s.