Military High School in Bartow, Florida

Hey friends! I'd heard there's a military high school in Bartow, Florida. Can anyone shed some light on which one it is, and what it's like to study there?

Hello! The military high school in Bartow, Florida that you're referring to is likely the Summerlin Academy. This is a public military academy for 9-12 grade students located within Bartow High School. It's not a traditional military school—students can still participate in Bartow High School activities and sports, and they interact with mainstream teachers for core academic subjects.

Summerlin Academy uses a JROTC (Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps) model, providing leadership and character education, physical education, and familiarization with military history and customs. Students wear uniforms, participate in drills, and have opportunities for leadership positions within the corps of cadets.

The academy is particularly known for its Raider teams (Army JROTC's version of a sports team, which competes in physical events such as 5k runs, obstacle courses, and liter carrying events) and its drill teams (which participate in precision military drill competitions).

Also, it's important to note that despite the military structure, going to a military high school like Summerlin Academy doesn't mean the student has to join the military after graduation. They prepare students for any post-secondary path—military, college, or straight into workforce.

The emphasis at Summerlin Academy is on the development of character, leadership, and disciplinary skills that can be useful in any career or life path that the student may ultimately choose. Many graduates of the school do join a branch of the armed forces, but many others go on to civilian colleges or directly into the workforce.