Most military schools in the United States are high schools that place a high emphasis on military preparation, academic rigor, and physical fitness. Most military schools are private and have high tuition, with financial aid available. In addition, most military schools are reserved to males, though military schools for females do exist.
These military academies are part of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program, and are partly funded by the United States Department of Defense. Chicago with six academies has more than any other city, a third of all in the country.
Five of the above institutions are considered Military junior colleges. These five schools participate in the Army's two-year Early Commissioning Program (ECP), an Army ROTC program in which qualified students can earn a commission as a Second Lieutenant after only two years of college. The five Military Junior Colleges are:
Students at these academies are organized as military academy cadets, and graduate with appropriate licenses from the U.S. Coast Guard and/or U.S. Merchant Marine, with an option to become commissioned reserve officers with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, or U.S. Marine Corps.
Public Senior Military College:
Public Senior Military Colleges that also enroll civilian students:
Private Senior Military College which also enrolls civilian students: