There are several options for military schools in North Carolina, but each school has different criteria for students, academics, and even cost.
There are many reasons to consider these schools because these accredited educational options provide structure and discipline for the students.
These schools also inspire students to persevere when faced with challenges, which sets them up for life-long success.
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#1 – Oak Ridge Military Academy

- Location: 2317 Oak Ridge Road, Oak Ridge, NC 27310
- Founded: 1852
- Grades: 7 – 12
- # of Students: 95
- Student / Teacher Ratio: 5 to 1
- Official Website: www.oakridgemilitary.com
Oak Ridge Military Academy is one of the military schools in North Carolina that focuses on the idea that character, knowledge, and influence are necessary to have strong leaders.
The students who make up the student body at Oak Ridge Military Academy are a diverse group from all over the world.
Oak Ridge Military Academy has a cadet program but does not work to funnel students into the military.
Instead, the Academy wants students prepared for university or college after high school.
Cadets at Oak Ridge Military Academy have a strong structure to their academics.
The class size is small at this school, which means teachers can individualize instruction and help students reach their true potential.
Also, the school has a mandatory study hall class for extra support with schoolwork.
Extracurriculars are essential, as well, because the activities help teach self-disciple and allow for opportunities for the cadets to feel good about themselves.
After graduation, 93 percent of students are ready for higher education and attend a four-year program.
However, this school selects students who have the highest ability to complete the program both academically and behaviorally.
Therefore, the program is competitive because admission decisions are based on academic history, character references, and potential students’ abilities and aptitudes.
Your first step is to apply and include all necessary transcripts, character references, and recommendations.
Next, the Academy evaluates the potential cadet’s qualifications.
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#2 – Asheville Academy for Girls

- Location: 126 Camp Elliott Rd. Black Mountain, NC
- Founded: 2008
- Grades: ages 10 to 14
- # of Students: varies
- Student / Teacher Ratio: 8 to 1
- Official Website: ashevilleacademy.com
The Asheville Academy for Girls is a boarding school for 10 to 14-year-old girls.
This boarding school helps students work through academic and emotional issues, so they become more resilient and better able to meet their goals.
Academically the teachers work with students to deliver a curriculum that meets national standards.
Also, because of the girls’ unique needs and the small class size, teachers can individualize instruction for the students.
Moreover, the Asheville Academy has several therapy options for the emotional needs of students. For instance, outside of the individual, group, and family therapies, there is equine therapy.
Also, the school realizes that all girls have different needs. Therefore, the therapeutic approaches are tailored for each student.
The student to teacher ratio is low, and the therapist to student ratio is six to eight girls for each therapist.
There are four steps to enrollment.
First, call to discuss the needs of your child.
Next, submit your application before going on your tour.
Finally, set up an enrollment date.
The Asheville Academy works with students who have troubles with emotional regulation, aggressiveness, immaturity, and depression, to name a few.
However, the school does not work with students with a criminal background, substance abuse problems, or a habit of running away from home.
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#3 – Tarheel Challenge Academy

- Location: 215 N. Main Street, New London, NC 28127; 600 NE Main Street, Salemburg, NC 28385
- Founded: 1994
- Grades: 16 to 18 years
- # of Students: varies
- Student / Teacher Ratio: varies
- Official Website: nc-tcachallenge.org
The Tarheel Challenge Academy works with at-risk teens ages 16 to 18.
This Academy strives to change the lives of North Carolina students who might otherwise drop out of school.
This option of military schools in North Carolina works with their sponsor, the North Carolina National Guard, as a part of their Nationwide Youth Challenge Program.
There are eight components to the Tarheel Challenge Academy.
The first expectation is academic excellence. Cadets earn their diploma through credit recovery or by taking the high school equivalency test.
Next, cadets with life skills that support the social and emotional needs of cadets. Also, students learn job skills with career counselors.
Also, health is a critical component of the Academy, and this includes both physical and emotional health.
Citizenship, leadership, and community service all play a part in the experience at this option for military schools in North Carolina.
There are some requirements for admissions, however.
For instance, cadets must be 16 to 18 years old. Also, they must be a legal resident of the state of North Carolina.
Furthermore, the cadet must be at risk for not graduating, has dropped out, or been expelled from school.
As long as the potential student has no drugs in their system and are free from felony convictions, they can apply to the Academy.
Once the application and all documentation are submitted, the acceptance process begins.
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#4 – UpROAR Leadership Academy

- Location: 5500 N. Tryon Street Charlotte, NC 28213
- Founded: 2010
- Grades: 5 – 10
- # of Students: 113
- Student / Teacher Ratio: 9 to 1
- Official Website: www.uproarleadership.org
UpROAR Leadership Academy has a mission to shape leaders by having a military-style educational environment that focuses on academics and character development.
Also, the Academy is a public charter school that serves students in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The UpROAR Leadership Academy has several values.
These include teaching the students self-disciple so they can push through difficult situations.
Also, the Academy has an honor code in place that helps teach the cadets integrity.
Furthermore, the values of courage and honor help cadets face hardships ethically.
Lastly, the UpROAR Leadership Academy wants students to understand a sense of commitment has tremendous value.
In order for the Academy to instill these values into their students, they focus on a strong core of academics.
In addition to academics, the school offers athletics and extracurriculars to ensure students are well-rounded in their experiences.
For consideration, parents must apply to the school and have the potential student’s birth certificate, immunization records, and proof of residency available.
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#5 – Wolf Creek Academy

- Location: 41 Beauty Spot Cove Rd, Mars Hill, NC 28754
- Founded: 1990
- Grades: 7 – 12
- # of Students: 50+
- Student / Teacher Ratio: 1-3
- Official Website: www.wolfcreekacademy.org
Wolf Creek Academy is a boarding school for troubled teens, and the average length of stay is around 12 months.
Those who attend Wolf Creek Academy live in an environment that resembles family life.
For instance, students live together and share responsibilities. Also, teachers and therapists model appropriate family behavior so students understand and appreciate the dynamic.
Students at Wolf Creek Academy have three facets including student life, academics, and adventure therapy.
All three facets work to teach students to listen. make good choices, plan, and believe in themselves.
Also, Wolf Creek Academy believes in a spiritual path and works to involve the Christian faith in all areas of the Academy.
The teachers and therapists at this Academy strive to build and keep connections with students. By doing so, students learn the value of strong relationships.
The application process begins by contacting Wolf Creek Academy.
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#6 – Paul R. Brown Leadership Academy

- Location: 1360 Martin Luther King Drive, Elizabethtown, NC 28337
- Founded: 2013
- Grades: 6 – 12
- # of Students: 194
- Student / Teacher Ratio: 11 to 1
- Official Website: www.paulrbrownleadership.com
The Paul R. Brown Leadership Academy is a public charter school in North Carolina.
The Academy has a mission to have an enriching educational environment to serve its cadets.
Also, the educational goals of the Paul R. Brown Leadership Academy include reading and communication skills along with critical and creative thinking.
Moreover, cadets at this school learn how to problem solve, develop a strong work ethic, and rise to become leaders.
Furthermore, the Paul R. Brown Leadership Academy serves their underserved and at-risk students in their community.
Therefore, while their scores are low compared to other schools in the state, the gains the students make at this school are impressive.
For instance, currently, 44 percent of their students who are in High School are also taking dual-credit college classes.
Programs like this improve the outcomes for diverse populations.
Also, the Academy has strident remediation programs in place to close educational gaps for all students starting at a very young age.
The application process is online and if more students apply than space available, there is a drawing to select students.
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