There are various options for parents looking to send their children to private school. There are day schools and there are boarding schools. The day school is along the lines of a regular public school in that your child lives at home and travels to and from school every day. The tuition for this option is usually less than half of boarding school tuition.
Boarding schools house, clothe and feed your students for many days on end. The child returns home for holiday breaks. The school has all of the facilities your child needs on the premises. They have a medical clinic, cafeteria and even recreational buildings. Tuition for this type of education ranges from $35,000 – $60,000 per year, depending on the school.
Private schools can be any one of several themes or operations. There are catholic schools, military schools, college prep, aviation and non-denominational Christian. It’s up to the parents and students to figure out which is the best fit.
Catholic schools require students to attend religious services and behave in a manner which reflects the faith. Whereas military schools require such activities as marching, shining shoes, learning rules and regulations and much more. The former is more focused on religious faith and the latter is focused on self-discipline.
Military School Graduates
Besides the extremely long list of former military heroes and Generals that attended military schools, many very successful civilians also got an education there.
Here are some notable modern civilian figures who attended military schools and have made significant contributions in various fields outside of the military:
Jeff Bezos – The founder of Amazon, Bezos studied at the U.S. Air Force Academy’s preparatory school before transferring to Princeton University. Although he did not complete his military education, the discipline and leadership aspects of his training likely influenced his entrepreneurial approach.
Mike Krzyzewski (Coach K) – Before becoming one of the most successful basketball coaches in history at Duke University, Krzyzewski graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1969. His leadership skills, honed at West Point, were instrumental in his coaching strategy, leading Duke to multiple NCAA championships.
Michael Bloomberg – The billionaire businessman, philanthropist, and former Mayor of New York City, Bloomberg was an ROTC cadet at Johns Hopkins University, which, while not a military academy, shares similar discipline and leadership training principles. His time in ROTC undoubtedly influenced his approach to leadership and management.
Al Gore – Before his political career, which included serving as Vice President of the United States, Gore attended Fort Oglethorpe’s military school in Georgia for one year. This early exposure to military discipline might have shaped his leadership skills, although he did not pursue a military career.
Adam Silver – The NBA Commissioner graduated from Duke University after attending the U.S. Military Academy Prep School. The discipline and strategic thinking acquired in his early military education likely played a role in his management and negotiation skills in leading the NBA.
Carly Fiorina – Former CEO of Hewlett-Packard, Fiorina studied at the University of Maryland, College Park, where she was involved in the ROTC. This experience provided her with a foundation in leadership and management, which she later applied in her corporate roles.
James Webb – Before his tenure as U.S. Secretary of the Navy and his time in the U.S. Senate, Webb graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1968. Post-military, he made significant contributions as an author, focusing on military and historical subjects, and in public service.
Drew Brees – While more commonly known for his NFL career, Brees attended Westlake High School, which has a military tradition, before going on to Purdue University. His leadership on and off the field has been noted for its discipline, a trait often attributed to his early exposure to military-style education.
Robert Gates – Although his most recognized role was as U.S. Secretary of Defense, Gates’ civilian impact includes his presidency of Texas A&M University, where he served before his governmental roles. He graduated from the College of William & Mary but was involved in ROTC, which provided him with a military leadership background.
These individuals illustrate how military schooling can prepare one not just for military service but for leadership in civilian life, influencing their approaches to business, governance, education, and sports. The rigorous training and emphasis on discipline, strategy, and leadership have clearly resonated in their civilian achievements.
