According to Family First Aid, military school tuition generally includes room and board, uniforms and school supplies. Tuition ranges between $3,000 and $5,000 per month. Residential programs are usually divided into two categories: three-month summer stays and nine-month academic year stays. In most cases full tuition is due at the time of enrollment. However, some military schools are willing to arrange payment plans with parents. U.S.-based military schools require that parents have health insurance for their children before enrollment, and many have on-site medical facilities.
Arkansas, South Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida have military schools for troubled teens. Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia also have military schools. The U.S. Department of Education maintains comprehensive listings on school performance levels for each state. Some schools in Southeastern locations, such as Magnolia Christian School in South Carolina and the Pine View Academy in Mississippi, change names when presented with lawsuits, making obtaining accurate information difficult.
According to the Coalition Against Institutionalized Child Abuse, several lawsuits regarding abuse and improper treatment have been filed against Southeastern military schools. CAICA recommends that parents visit a potential military school, regardless of location, without giving prior notice on several occasions to determine whether the facility is right for their child.
Most military schools in the Southeastern United States are approved academically by the U.S. Department of Education. However, none is endorsed by the U.S. Military and therefore do not require official military training of any type. Students at military schools are generally taught self-discipline, respect and obedience similar to what is taught in the military, but military schools are not designed to prepare students for military service.