Army and Navy Academy

2605 Carlsbad Boulevard

Carlsbad, CA 92008

28 Reviews

School District
Grade

7-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by other on February 21, 2025

Throughout most of high school I was able to do just well enough in school to where I could convince my parents that I would eventually pull it together. In reality, I was more interested in anything but building a foundation to succeed. I surrounded myself with unambitious friends who had little interest in pursuing a career. My dad had brought up the possibility of boarding school halfway through my junior year. When my grades came back after second semester and I'd failed 3 classes, that forced the issue.The immediate benefit of attending ANA was having a routine and structure that I did not have back in Illinois. E.g., being forced to get up and do the same thing every day 5 times a week, having to make sure my room was clean, and 2 hours of dedicated study time. Just staying on a schedule that I would live by and having minimal distractions from the goal--getting to college--was a huge plus. More broadly, I was put into an environment that was completely different from what I had at home. I was now surrounded by kids from all over the world who had unique experiences that were vastly different from my own. And they were for the most part driven. That inspired me to do better and push harder, something I'd lost.The environment of Southern California was also a major benefit. I realized that people outside of my suburban Chicago bubble not only existed but thrived. The weather was good year round and people had an easygoing way about them. The school didn't lock us down as you would expect from a military school. We had leave on most weekends and could be signed out with parental permission. I got to experience life with friends from San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and beyond. Being away from home at 17 was difficult. But I am an extrovert at heart, so making friends and adjusting was not that much of a struggle. The negatives were limited and mostly had to do with the academic part. The education was sub-par considering the price of tuition. The school's primary goal is to ensure kids get into college, which means pushing kids through with A's even when they don't deserve them. A lot of the teachers were unqualified to teach at local San Diego public schools, which showed. Overall, ANA was the single most beneficial experience of my life. I can genuinely say that I would not be where I am--awaiting to be sworn in as an attorney after passing the California Bar Exam--without the two years I spent at this school.
Submitted by student on November 14, 2024

This place is chaos! My parents sent me here because I want a career in the military but I’d this is how the military is I am in for a bad time! The former Marines and Army guys here are lazy and definitely don’t appreciate how good their jobs are. The only people who try and teach us are the old teachers that know how to control their classes. The new teachers seem so frustrated by the kids because they are so disrespectful. In my class a kid threatened our teacher and nothing happened to the kid. I’m probably leaving at the semester
Submitted by parent on November 12, 2024

They try their best( the teachers) but they have a TON of new/first year/ unqualified teachers. My son explained that’s it’s because they pay poorly. My understanding is that they have had turnover in nearly every position recently. They have a very odd way of handling students with special needs. They say they can make accommodations but not really as they have no special education teachers on staff. Not the only thing they sold me on that wasn’t the case. The class sizes are small but not as small as I thought they’d be. I’m told 15 kids per class in previous years, now quite a bit more. And, the kids are nearly all discipline issue kids because why else would you pay this kind of money for a crumbling school where the food is gross? Now, I saved the best for last. They talk a big game about leadership. However, their leader/President appears to be a lady that doesn’t really understand how to show leadership. She comes across crass and trashy with bad teeth, and is bright red! Ok, how about ROTC? Well, these classes are a hang out time to get homework done with instructors that use foul language and tell inappropriate jokes instead of teaching leadership. When I went to back to school weekend, I saw how much of a joke these classes are. One guy, “Kirby” seemed to not be able to even speak using correct English! I then met the assistant principal, a delightful woman. However when I mentioned this to my son he told me that all the teachers openly say terrible things about her! Ok… last but not least you’d think the history classes at a military school would be great. Nope! My son’s favorite teacher left the school along with a bunch of other teachers over the summer and was replaced by a teacher that looks like he’s a student at the school! My son told me that the kids are eating the teachers up with bad discipline and that there are even some kids that don’t speak English in his classes that do nothing but get passing grades, he finds it unfair. I’m going to recommend this school as a way to get your kid in shape, physically and emotionally, if they need an attitude adjustment. Little freedom, bad food, tons of discipline from the staff that comes in at night, and tons of exercise made my son loose 10 pounds in one year. But, it’s pricey! PS. My sons will be back to his home high school next year as long as he keeps a B average
Submitted by parent on July 16, 2024

Hands down 10 out of 10 experience at this school. First time (after 11 years experience with public schools) that I felt like teachers truly cared about my children. Class sizes are around 10 or less. My boys had opportunities to try 3 different sports in one year and the aviation program is so awesome! The school is teaching my boys virtues and character and they are better boys for it! The President is a Major General (retired) and the best thing at this school. She cares about this boys and wants all of them to be prepared for college but more importantly be prepared for life. Love this school! And did I mention that it’s on the beach in Southern California!
Submitted by other on May 23, 2024

If you are looking for a place that will turn your son around academically and provide him with the structure that he needs to matriculate successfully to a top college then this is the place to be. No other military oriented school at the high school level has the colleges and universities listed on their academic profile as ANA does. There's even one alumnus who is at Harvard Medical School for that matter.Parents often look for a quick turnaround and blame the school if they don't meet those expectations. The matriculation to top colleges and universities happens over a period of 3-4 years and not just one year or a semester. Your son will get back on track provided that he accepts this amazing challenge to a sound adulthood.
Submitted by other on May 23, 2024

Army and Navy Academy provides a top college prep education and provides the students with academic support. All students take part in leadership classes and are continually learing about honor, respect, reponsibility, time management etc. As a parent of boy I see the need for and the benefit of a school like Army and Navy Academy.
Submitted by other on May 22, 2024

I grew up in north county and always knew about Army and Navy Academy, and its great reputation. All the young men that I encountered throughout the years attending the Academy have been polite, respectful, and generally very good people. Now I work at the Academy and I couldn't be prouder to be here. The faculty, staff and leadership genuinely care about the students and molding them into young men of excellent character, who are equipped to take on life challenges when they leave. No place of work or school is perfect and ANA has areas where it needs to grow, but I'm proud to work here and I love the people and what they're trying to accomplish.Our Athletics Director is forging a path for young athletes, recruiting boys who wouldn't have an opportunity and helping them to get recruited into major colleges. Our JROTC instructors use JROTC curriculum to teach students on how to be leaders and teammates. We also have an amazing aviation program where students learn to fly! There's a lot going on in this small school besides college prep academics. Even if you don't have a son interested in attending, I would encourage anyone to come visit the school, tour the campus and get to know the people and programs here.
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2024

This school is a mockery to what this country was formed on people gave their lives for these kids but having the teacher give a lactose intolerant kid milk and cookies is a whole another reason for sacrifice.
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2024

My house is in Lower LA, and I HAVE to drive 2 hours to see my son I can't put up with this school they should pay for a house or apartment near the school at least. All parents that want to see their kids every day and live closer to them comment and reply.
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2024

The kids at the school were very mean to my son and also they gave my son food poisoning 4 times
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2024

The school my son said was meh
Submitted by parent on April 02, 2024

A good that I intend to begin career
Submitted by parent on January 03, 2020

This school is warm and feels like a second family.
Submitted by parent on November 18, 2019

Very Poor. They won't provide us with any of the school work, they allow cadets to play video games through the night in the dorms. But most importantly, the academics are very low quality. For example, our student received an F on all his "test", which were actually just question answered after watching a movie, however, he has a B- in the class because they gave him A++ for just showing up.
Submitted by other on June 15, 2019

As a graduate of this school, I was personally well prepared by the academy to handle the rigors of college. The life lessons I learned there, has helped me in most of my life's endeavors.
Submitted by parent on June 14, 2019

am so thrilled my sons have this experience in the formative years of their life and character. It has been no easy task and a collection of miracles and painful sacrifices... I can honestly say EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE when you 1- make a decision2- have complete faith about the outcome3- take selfless and inspired actionThe universe will conspire to manifest your selfless desires.Both of my boys have grown exponentially in all areas... academically, personally, physically, emotionally! The Army and Navy Academy team of folks have done a superb job at answering their call! I could not be happier to endorse them.
Submitted by parent on July 08, 2018

Exceptional. ANA truly is the best environment to educate boys into upstanding and successful men.
Submitted by parent on March 28, 2017

This school takes a young man and teaches him discipline, responsibility, ownership, and values. The teachers are bright and care very much for their students. There are built in tools to help boys succeed. The TAC officers spend time getting to know each kid and facilitate problem solving with the boys. I'd consider any young man very lucky if he can attend this school. Colleges look at military schools for much more than grades and Army and Navy Academy delivers.
Submitted by parent on March 12, 2017

If you have a child with behavioral issues that is not going to make it through a regular school this is a good option. However, it is not academically rigorous and many of the teachers don't have even have teaching credentials. There is also a bit of a 'Lord of the Flies' atmosphere on campus and if your son can't hold his own, I would cation against this school.
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2017

It's just a mixed bag. If you have a kid- from any country- who is struggling, academically and/or behaviorally, then this is the place. It is not academically rigorous. It is a "get them to graduate" place. It's a place to house your kid if you cannot manage him at home and if you would like to "buy" a high school diploma and entrance into some sort of community college or low-level university. Maybe one or two kids per year get into a good school- these are usually foreign students who are trying to learn English here- and ANA uses these high level admissions to colleges to bolster their image. The norm is a group of kids who otherwise couldn't graduate from another school or kids whose parents want them out of their house.