Army and Navy Academy in Carlsbad | Military Town Advisor

Posted: July 14, 2026

I worked at the school for a few years and while it hands students a diploma after four or more years, it is hard to watch parents spend their money on something that is not worth it. The quality of education here is not great. They pay terribly for nearly every position including the teachers, so they get mediocre people. The security and safety is a joke too. The food, not good. So wheres the money go? Nobody seems to know!

Posted: July 14, 2026

Posted: June 9, 2026

ANA is an average to below average school that has some strengths( getting students across the finish line, grade wise) but also several areas that could be improved, namely the cost to benefit. The teachers generally seem willing to help students, but the quality of instruction can vary wildly from class to class. My son would tell me about how some of his teachers seemed to work so hard, while others did the absolute minimum. He blamed this on the behavior of the Cadets. While there are opportunities to participate in drill activities and clubs, the selection of classes is somewhat limited compared to other schools.

The campus is reasonably maintained, though many facilities on the main campus feel outdated and need renovation. Communication between the administration and parents is good, but important information is not always shared in a timely manner. For instance, my son had an accident during a weekend drill and after going to the nurse for a n hour or so, only then did someone get in touch with me.

My biggest complaint is that the school cuts off communication with the parents once school starts for a week or two. The kids are unable to reach parents when they need them most, when they are homesick. Also, that students organize themselves through social media in order to share disturbing content about the school staff and other students. Cyber bullying, essentially. The school just lets it go, too.

Academically, ANA provides a decent education and covers the required material, and if students start to slip, they will put them in study hall and force them to succeed. However, it does not stand out in terms of high quality instruction. Overall, the school offers just and OK experience, but there is much room for improvement in several areas. I would rate it 2 out of 5 stars.

Posted: June 9, 2026

Posted: May 29, 2026

It wasnt really until after I left ANA that I started understanding why so many teachers seemed to dislike the leadership there. Most of those leaders are gone now, but honestly it feels like the damage they caused is still affecting the school. When I was there, the whole place felt kinda divided. You could tell people were frustrated or just worn down. Teachers seemed defeated a lot of the time, and youd overhear conversations where they were clearly unhappy about what was going on.
There were a couple teachers who used to be known as really positive and fair people, but by the time I knew them they seemed stressed and completely different. Then one left, and after that the other left too. Later on I randomly got coffee with one of the former school leaders, and they told me stories that honestly shocked me and explained a lot about my last few years there. According to them, the President at the time, Gen Combs, made life miserable for a lot of people. Teachers, deans, counselors, cadet life staff apparently a ton of people either got pushed out or just couldnt take it anymore.
I remember hearing Battalion Staff complain about her and some of the other leaders back then, but I didnt realize how serious it actually was. I even talked to another student leader from that time and he told me story after story about leadership refusing to listen to people or compromise on anything. A bunch of teachers basically just gave up and quit during one summer.
The problem is that stuff like that has long-term effects. Experienced teachers left and got replaced by newer, less qualified ones, which obviously affects students. A lot of the staff there now is really new, and the people who stayed during all that probably supported the administration anyway. Im not writing this to be dramatic or anything, I just think new families, teachers, and staff deserve to know the kind of environment they could be walking into.

Posted: May 29, 2026

Posted: May 15, 2026

I graduated from Army and Navy Academy and it was one of the best experiences of my life. The school set me up to be able to handle some of life's toughest tests both academically and professionaly. I still have a ton of life long friends from there who are like brothers to me. The staff and teachers are extremely caring and eager to help students succeed. The facilities are world class. I plan to send my son there as soon as he is old enough, to make this a family tradition.

Posted: May 15, 2026

Posted: April 30, 2026

I'm not sure where to begin. Our decision to send our son to this school was one of the worst decisions we have ever made. If values morality, integrity, and education are your standards, do an about face and look elsewhere. This was a nightmare of an experience that set our son back academically and gave him traumatizing experiences that will undoubtedly last a lifetime. He was exposed to so many drugs and violent experiences that I had to google some of the things he was asking us about. The teachers are mostly unqualified and staff is unsupportive,. They follow leaderships lead to a T over student safety and integrity. If you know anything about military philosophy, and really get to know this schools administration and policies you will understand that they do NOT! Please do not be mislead by the glitter, glam, high price tag, and nice uniforms. Lord of the Flies has nothing on this school!

Posted: April 30, 2026

Posted: April 22, 2026

Only when my son came home crying did we begin to understand the severity of the situation. The school's cost, more than a university, does not equal the value one gets from the school's teachers. I have found the teachers two ways: they try hard and have minimal effect, or the don't try at all and cruise through. On top of that, I spoke to another parent at a back-to-school weekend activity and she bragged how many of the teachers are not credentialed. In her eyes this was a plus because she said traditional and credentialed teachers as spreading a liberal agenda, but wouldn't it make more sense to have qualified people making educational decisions? On to the day to day of the cadets, I found that even though their time is regimented, that does not mean they are doing what they are supposed to be doing. When the cadets get to leave campus, they' re often trying to score vape pens and God knows what else. Our son really felt he couldn't take it anymore when something truly upsetting occurred. He was taught to respect his teachers, but other cadets, evidently not. A student in his class got up and screamed at a teacher in front of the whole class. Then, after very minimal punishment, the student was right back in class and now bragging about his minimal punishment and how the teacher was blamed for the episode as much as he was. This really rattled my son, and he soon began to explain the story to us, albeit with tears in his eyes. I feel that this episode should have been dealt with differently, to say the least. We are now so late in the school year, I feel he should finish the year and then we can make an informed decision this summer.

Posted: April 22, 2026

Posted: January 27, 2026

When my husband had the idea to send out son here I thought he was going be the best man he could be after leaving his school to go to college. Boy oh boy I was wrong. It was a disaster from the start of the 2025-2026 school year. My sons still there but only for the rest of this school year. The teachers are so ineffective except for his math teacher. So disappointed in the way they are very aware of how lousy the product but they keep selling families on half truths at best. Not to be trite but the principals of this school need to go back to school to learn how to run a decent school, get decent teachers and get this place on track.

Posted: January 27, 2026

Posted: January 4, 2026

My son comes to school here because we live in Japan but we live in china. It was told to us that we would be able to have contact with him every day. However that did not happen and the school principal told us that he was very busy but when we talk to him he say that he has only small amounts of work to do and after school he plays sports for many hours. When I fly to Carlsbad to see him his teachers say he is smart but does not always turn in work. I was told that he had to do all work all of the time and then he could play sports. I read here about other moms that are told the same or similar to start school year but it never happen. My son also have to spend very much money on dinners from restaurants because he says the food is very bad. Also when we talk to him on phone he says that other American students are mean to him and make fun of him for being Chinese and being small. One time we get phone call saying he fight another boy for this. I think an international student school in Japan would be better for him for next year

Posted: January 4, 2026

Posted: December 30, 2025

My son started here as an echo cadet. He is now halfway through his high school education. I can say without hesitation that the school has suffered immensely the last few years. Not only has there been a significant change in the people that run the school theres also been a significant change in the teachers. My son tells me that the food has only gotten worse, even though the parents were told it was improving. Each time I go to campus, roughly 10 times a year, nothing looks different. They might put some paint on the buildings, but the building improvements we were told were going to be done, havent been done. This is disappointing, considering the tuition has only gone up since he started. As I mentioned, we are halfway through his high school career. We are considering not returning for his 11th grade year because we dont feel the value that we are paying is being reflected in his education. He has taken a significant amount of AP courses but has only passed about half of them. He tells me his friends are in the same situation. The school does a great job of taking wayward and lost cadets and turning them into something more presentable, but if your son is already a good kid, the school might actually make him worse because hes surrounded by other kids who are not so good. I implore parents speak to other parents, not the admissions department. They will give you a tour of the school and show you a classroom that has been told ahead of time that theyre going to come in. These are not the lessons that are typically taught, the lesson lessons taught are usually very rudimentary because the teachers deal with so many troubled kids in their classes. I did have a conversation off the record with a teacher, and he told me that the school has become very difficult to teach in. I think that says all we need to know.

Posted: December 30, 2025

Posted: December 11, 2025

Now that Ive graduated from the Army and Navy Academy, I feel like I can finally be honest about my experience. In some ways, Im relieved to be done, not because everything was bad, but because I can finally look into something that bothered a lot of us during my senior year, why so many of the good teachers and counselors suddenly left in 2024.
During my time at the Academy, the adults who supported us the most were the ones who listened to us , guided us and actually cared about what we were going through. They made school feel less like a strict military program and more like a place where learning and growth could happen even if you made mistakes. But in my junior year, it felt like every few weeks another great teacher disappeared wit no explanation. Then, in the summer going into my senior year a bunch of them did. Students talked about it constantly, and the no answers made the whole campus feel unsettled.
When the people you trust start leaving one after another it changed the school a lot. Classes were way different not in a good way and some of us didnt feel supported like used to because the staff was so different. I kept wondering what was happening behind the scenes and now I hope to find out!

Posted: December 11, 2025

Posted: December 8, 2025

After two years at Army and Navy Academy, moving from 9th into 10th grade, Ive found the school hard to be here. Classes and especially CQ time feel like chaos which makes learning really hard and talking to your TAC really hard too because they are dealing with so many bad cadets. Seniors and Cadre and even some teachers will tell you after school that the school used to feel more supportive of cadets and the teachers really are not excited to be here. The new principal and the changes in who is in charge of the school havent made a difference( probably mad it worse) and some new rules and seem the opposite from what students and teachers actually need and want. I came here hoping to be a leader for my country and grow personally, but lately it feels like the school is moving in the wrong direction.

Posted: December 8, 2025

Posted: December 1, 2025

Proud alumni of this school.
The teachers and staff here are truly next level- coming from a public school, it was a shock to experience a place where people genuinely cared about my growth. They didnt just teach; they pushed, motivated, and believed in me in a way I had never experienced before. They wanted the best for me, not just from me, and that made all the difference.
The friendships I made here are ones Ill carry for life. I still talk to my classmates every day, and even my former mentors continue to check in on me. Its rare to find a school where the relationships dont end at graduation.
The structure, the leadership training, and the confidence I gained are unmatched. This school didnt just prepare me academically, it shaped my character, taught me responsibility, and pushed me to see what I was really capable of.
Looking back, I can honestly say it set me up for success in every aspect of my life.

Posted: December 1, 2025

Posted: November 28, 2025

ANAs facilities are outdated, poorly maintained, and often uncomfortable for students trying to learn and live. Classrooms feel old, equipment is limited, and basic repairs seem to be ignored. They show you the new equipment and buildings but dont be fooled, the living quarters are terrible! Student behavior is also a major concern; there is little consistency with discipline, and disruptive actions often go unchecked. My son even shared a story of a cadet that left campus , went home to Orange County and was missing for hours! How? After all, this school is essentially a punishment for half of the kids and an expensive daycare for the other half. This makes it hard for focused students to get what they paid for. The staff is largely unqualified, with many teachers lacking the required degrees and credentials or experience needed to manage a classroom even in a public school. Staff turnover is another troubling sign: the school has had four presidents in four years and four deans in that same period. This constant change creates a confusion, with inconsistency and a lack of clear direction. Overall, ANA needs significant improvement to provide a safe and supportive learning environment.

Posted: November 28, 2025

Posted: October 10, 2025

Army and Navy Academy is an incredible school and set me up for lifetime success. As a proud alumnus, I find that the Academy's classes were incredibly engaging to my boy brain, and graduated as a man far more virtuous than I would have been coming out of any other private or public institution.

Posted: October 10, 2025

Posted: September 20, 2025

I pulled my son already! 9the grade was rough but he decided that his 10th grade year would be better, as a school made many promises about improvements that were going to take place, including new and more staffing. So we decided to allow my son to return for 10th grade eventhough it was a financial hardship on us. Well that didnt last long! He came back to school in 10th grade and the teachers he looked forward to having in his 10th grade year are quite different than the ones he thought he was going to have. I know at least one or two of them are no longer with the school and a few of them switched assignments. I cannot believe the school is still in operation! With all that has happened with the school and its lawsuits, now they hardly have any students signed up and the burden falls on the families that have already sent their students to the school. A new president every couple of years, a new principal every couple of years, it seems like about half the staff is different year to year yet, but the same mediocre teachers are still there. Go figure. We decided it was in the best interest of my son, and our family for him to return home, as paying for the service they were providing seemed like a waste of our hard earned money. Its really something, they hosted a family mixture for me to learn about the school, and they were very good at hiding the realities of the school. I forgave them last year because I knew they were under a tremendous amount of change. But I have yet to see any bonuses from the change. Im told they spent quite a bit of money on things that didnt seem necessary, yet left the facilities almost unchanged. The facilities do not match the Tuition! Im impressed with the parents, faculty and staff they have remained committed, they must see something we dont. Parents, research the school in depth, visit beforehand, and make sure youre heavily involved in the decision making process for your child, otherwise theyll make bad recommendations for you and youre paying for them.

Posted: September 20, 2025

Posted: August 23, 2025

I am free! After teaching at the school for a few years, I have made the decision to no longer work there. It took me a while, but I came to the conclusion that this was not an environment that was healthy for me as a professional. The school has a major leadership issue as it pertains to the academic decision making being done by experienced and thoughtful educators. So many different leaders have come and gone. So many decisions made and then undone. So much incompetence in these decisions! I was flabbergasted by how experience at this school does not translate to success for the school people that have long been with the school who DO know the best path, based on common sense, are shushed, and others are promoted. The Dean and President positions have been occupied by sheer incompetence over the years. Some of the teachers and employees at the school talk about how they used to do it, and it actually makes some sense. But its as if the school is so determined to move forward they just try and ignore what was done in the past, as if that doesnt work. In reality, they almost need to scrap the whole thing and start over, as the students that attend the school now are nothing like the students they had in the past. Theyve allowed students onto campus that are extremely low academically, and behaviorally out of control. To even dream that the same academic strategies that work elsewhere would work here is complete idiocy. As a parent myself, Id not enroll my son because I would not want him to be influenced by the other students that do not value education. Leadership is taught here but it seems like it only works on a select few. Overall, Im so happy to be done!

Posted: August 23, 2025

Posted: May 20, 2025

After reading this, you may wonder why I chose this forum. It's because these reviews are apparently read, and the school's leadership actually cares enough about the school's reputation to respond to them.

I am deeply disappointed with the current state of affairs at ANA. The principals and other leadership's recent behavior has been highly inappropriate, creating an uncomfortable environment for parents and an unprofessional atmosphere for teachers. The lack of transparency and respect for both parents and staff is alarming. I have even heard rumors of teachers being dressed down in front of students! I urge the board to step up, address these issues promptly, and take action to restore the trust and integrity that were always present within our school community in the past.

I was recently made aware that a long-serving teacher, who has dedicated years of service to the school, is being forced out. This decision is not only disheartening but also raises serious questions about the school's leadership and their priorities. It seems that loyalty and experience are no longer valued at ANA, which is a significant concern for the future of the institution. At no point was the larger implication of this action taken into account. If a long-serving teacher can be forced out, why should anyone spend their career here?

My son speaks highly of his teachers. He feels that the glue that has kept this school together through lawsuits, changes in principals, the exodus of teachers this past summer, and a few really tough years overall, is the teachers that have stuck it out. Now, this is their reward? Unceremoniously being pushed out? First Ms. Coe, now this? The longest-serving teachers I can find left are in the math department; every other department is a rotating door. This kind of conduct is unacceptable, especially in an educational setting where students and parents should feel respected and transparency should be present. Peggy Combs is gone, but her hires still persist! The lack of communication from the school's leadership has only exacerbated the situation.

I implore current parents, the ANAPA organization, and parents considering sending their sons to ANA to speak up now so that change can begin before it is too late.

Posted: May 20, 2025

Posted: April 16, 2025

A great opportunity that has been squandered! The location, the facilities, the small community. Its has the recipe for success but the chefs cant seem to get it together! My son enrolled as a 7th grade student. He had some very caring teachers that held him accountable and had so much energy when I met them for conferences. Not to mention that they were very communicative. Not the case nowadays. Besides some crazy behavior from his classmates, 7th grade went well. Then, it all began to unravel. In the middle of his 7th grade year his science teacher left. He came back for 8th grade and the substitute teacher was now hired on, no credentials to be teaching. His English and history teachers, gone. His favorite nurse was gone, and on it goes. He tells me that very odd things keep happening at the school because they have accepted some very odd cadets to keep the money coming in. The pinnacle of the weird? A student that defecates in other students dorm rooms! I fully understand that boys will be boys but this is ridiculous! The answer to this from the adults on campus was to give the cadet a Saturday school. Nothing more. He also tells me that teachers have threatened to quit over safety issues, but that was none of his teachers. I do also question the wisdom of unsupervised access to downtown Carlsbad, which the students earn with good behavior, but for middle school students? I also question the wisdom of forcing students in middle school to take jrotc. They are too
Young.
The sense of community that I was told about seems to not be there anymore. I had such a warm feeling when I visited last year because his teachers were not only well versed in how to teach boys only, but they had so much warmth. I saw teachers enjoying their job, enjoying each other, and sharing that with the students. The teachers and staff today are nice enough, they certainly try, but ANA is a unique school that requires a unique approach that I get the feeling takes years to perfect. With new teachers, a newish principal, and an overall lack of well developed structure, the beauty of the campus and all the glory of the boys in their uniforms with flags and sabres is lost. Please ANA, invest in your future and the futures of our boys.

Posted: April 16, 2025

Posted: April 14, 2025

At our boy-friendly school, we prioritize the involvement of the entire communityparents, teachers, counselors, staff, coaches, and most importantly, the boysin our learning process. Every day, we gain new insights. The boys experience significant growth and development, which leads to a transformative experience for everyone involved.

Posted: April 14, 2025

Sending our son to Army and Navy Academy has been one of the best decisions we've made as parents. From the moment we enrolled him, we could sense the dedication of the staff to not just educate, but to nurture and develop young men into confident leaders.

The structured environment provided by Army and Navy Academy has instilled discipline and responsibility in our son, traits that will undoubtedly serve him well throughout his life. The emphasis on leadership and character development goes beyond the classroom, with opportunities for extracurricular activities, community service, and leadership roles within the student body.

We've been consistently impressed by the faculty and staff who genuinely care about the well-being and success of each student. They take the time to get to know each boy individually, providing support and guidance every step of the way.

Academically, our son has flourished in the challenging yet supportive learning environment. The small class sizes allow for personalized attention, and the curriculum is both rigorous and engaging. We've seen tremendous growth in his academic abilities and confidence.

Beyond academics, the Academy offers a wide range of opportunities for personal growth and enrichment. Whether it's participating in athletics, joining clubs and organizations, or taking part in leadership training programs, there's something for every interest and passion.

As parents, it's incredibly reassuring to know that our son is not only receiving a top-notch education but also learning important life skills that will prepare him for success in college and beyond. We wholeheartedly recommend Army and Navy Academy to any parent looking for a nurturing and empowering environment where their son can thrive.

Posted: April 14, 2025

Posted: March 31, 2025

When I had the opportunity to teach at ANA, I was elated. Now, however, I feel it's my duty to share my experiences with those who might be considering working at ANA or enrolling a student there.
From the very beginning, I found the atmosphere at ANA to be quite troubling. The students showed a disregard for their teachers and the learning process, making it incredibly difficult to foster a productive classroom environment. When the administration was prompted about this, they simply passed an email to the "cadet life" portion of the school and then... nothing happened. Behavioral issues were a constant challenge, and I often felt my safety was compromised due to the lack of administrative support. The administration, unfortunately, did not fare much better. There was a widespread culture of disrespect, where the concerns of teachers were frequently brushed aside or simply ignored. This lack of support made it nearly impossible to effectively address the behavioral problems, further contributing to the chaotic environment.
As a seasoned teacher, I've faced my share of challenges, but nothing quite prepared me for ANA. Once, while teaching my most challenging class of Freshman, a student began disrupting the lesson with aggressive behavior. Despite my attempts to redirect his behavior, his aggression escalated. Suddenly, he stood up and directed the threatening language at me. The class fell silent before the class broke out in laughter. I remained calm, following protocol I thought by immediately calling in the incident to the security (Ops). I expected swift action, but what followed was a disheartening display of inaction. After about 5 minutes the student was removed, swearing and threatening the security person, a Marine veteran.
The administration acknowledged my report but took no visible steps to address the student's behavior or ensure my safety going forward.
The lack of support from the administration left me feeling vulnerable to harm. It became clear that the school's priority was not the well-being of its teachers or the maintenance of a safe student environment, rather just ensuring the checks keep coming. The incident highlighted a deep issue within the school culture, and one many teachers at ANA know, there's a pervasive disregard for the concerns of educators.
My time at ANA was filled with stress and frustration. I would strongly advise against this school for anyone seeking a safe, respectful, and supportive educational setting

Posted: March 31, 2025

Posted: March 24, 2025

During my time at ANA I found myself increasingly disillusioned with the work environment, which was a lack of support for teachers, inadequate pay, and bad student behavior.

The absence of meaningful support from the administration was one of the most frustrating aspects of my experience. Im told that the school had long serving Admins, but they quit or were fired, leaving zero experience in that position when I got there. Teachers were left to fend for themselves with little guidance, zero professional development, or resources to effectively manage their classrooms. Requests for help were often ignored, or worse, teachers being verbally punished for trying to use the resources in place. Its a military school with military staff that couldnt care less. This, and when disciplinary issues arose, the response from the administration was often a boys will be boys reaction. This lack of support created an overwhelming sense of burnout among the staff. It showed, too. New and long serving teachers were burned out fast, looked sad, honestly, and many of them just took jobs elsewhere.

The pay. Despite the high tuition fees that parents paid, the salary offered to teachers was well below the average, forcing many of us to seek additional sources of income just to make ends meet. In fact, that seemed to be the norm. The lack of transparency regarding salary increases further contributed to a sense of undervaluation and frustration among the staff. We left last year with no indication of further employment or salaries. This lead to good teachers taking jobs elsewhere.

Perhaps the most challenging aspect of my time at ANA was the behavior of the students. As an all-boys school, there was a prevailing culture of disrespect that often made teaching difficult. Many students displayed disruptive behavior, ignoring rules, and verbally assaulting teachers. When these issues were brought up with the administration, both academic and the Commandant of cadets, there was often little action taken to address the problem. This not only affected the learning environment but also created a sense of helplessness.

My year at ANA was a disappointing and demoralizing experience. Teachers were unsupported, underpaid, and faced a daily struggle with student behavior. The lack of experienced educators with the wisdom that follows created a listless feeling. I cannot recommend this school to either prospective parents or students, and especially not teachers.

Posted: March 24, 2025

My experience with this school is decidedly bad. But its more complicated than that. My oldest son attended the school from 2018, through COVID, and graduated! This was the only school around with the guts to open back up and teach the kids during the pandemic, but they did so with the utmost amount of safety. So, when my youngest son was entering 9th grade, I thought the school would be a really good fit. I have seen his struggle with his grades, a little bit with school discipline, but ultimately is a really good kid that I felt could use some structure and discipline. Structure and discipline, along with good academics, is what the school does. Or, at least it used to do. I was shocked to see that so many of the teachers my older son had, are no longer there! My oldest son had an amazing computer science teacher, hes gone. The nice history teacher, gone. The administration is completely different, they dont have a General anymore as a leader(Ill get to that later) and the TAC officers, as important as the teachers really, are nearly all different. My son began to call home and report out all sorts of crazy things to start the 2025 school year. At first I thought he was exaggerating. It turns out he wasnt! Kids were running amok on campus, and apparently the discipline structure that used to exist, including demerits, and working off the merits with structured supports, was completely scrapped. He told me that his TAC officer was rarely available during his night supervision time, because the school had him doing additional jobs during that crucial evening stretch after dinner. On top of all of this, I am told there was a very dramatic firing of the previous president. While I dont know the ins and outs of this, I am told it led to absolute chaos on campus. The tuition price went up quite a bit since my older son attended, but nothing is improved. Same food, same campus that is a mix of new buildings and a beautiful sports complex but the classrooms look terrible, it shows you where the priority is! At the end of the day, I regret choosing this school. The experience did not match the promises made, and it certainly wasnt worth the significant financial sacrifice for our family. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for the unique environment that used to offer. That was an exceptional educational experience. Now it is just another place where poorly behaved kids are given excuse after excuse to act like fools and the adults coddle them.

Posted: March 24, 2025

Posted: 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.

Posted: February 21, 2025

Posted: November 14, 2024

This place is chaos! My parents sent me here because I want a career in the military but Id this is how the military is I am in for a bad time! The former Marines and Army guys here are lazy and definitely dont 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. Im probably leaving at the semester

Posted: November 14, 2024

Posted: November 12, 2024

They try their best( the teachers) but they have a TON of new/first year/ unqualified teachers. My son explained thats its 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 wasnt the case. The class sizes are small but not as small as I thought theyd be. Im 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 doesnt 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 youd think the history classes at a military school would be great. Nope! My sons favorite teacher left the school along with a bunch of other teachers over the summer and was replaced by a teacher that looks like hes 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 dont speak English in his classes that do nothing but get passing grades, he finds it unfair. Im 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, its pricey!
PS. My sons will be back to his home high school next year as long as he keeps a B average

Posted: November 12, 2024

Posted: 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 its on the beach in Southern California!

Posted: July 16, 2024

Posted: 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.

Posted: 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.

Posted: May 23, 2024

Posted: 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.

Posted: 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.

Posted: 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.

Posted: May 22, 2024

The kids at the school were very mean to my son and also they gave my son food poisoning 4 times

Posted: May 22, 2024

The school my son said was meh

Posted: May 22, 2024

Posted: April 2, 2024

A good that I intend to begin career

Posted: April 2, 2024

Posted: January 3, 2020

Every student is doing homework at the same time with teachers staying into the evening to be available.

Posted: January 3, 2020

Small class sizes help teachers attend to individual student needs.

Posted: January 3, 2020

Promote individual and group responsibility for the school environment

Posted: January 3, 2020

Teaches boys to be good followers before being great leaders!

Posted: January 3, 2020

Teachers are available after school hours for individual and small group tutoring

Posted: January 3, 2020

The structure squashed bullying with peer and adult feedback

Posted: January 3, 2020

This school is warm and feels like a second family.

Posted: 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.

Posted: November 18, 2019

The staff does not want to inform the parents of how their kids are doing. The Dean of Academics actually refused to share any of the work our student had done. He said it would be too time consuming.

Posted: November 18, 2019

About 40% of a students grade are given just for "participation", ie showing up in class. Many of the classes don't have actual tests, just open book in classroom "assessments" and questions after watching a movie.

Posted: November 18, 2019

Posted: June 15, 2019

We learned at an early age how to lead through the exemplerary JROTC program of this school

Posted: June 15, 2019

I graduated from here, and this school more than prepared me for college. The teachers are amazing and they really care about the academic success of the students.

Posted: 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.

Posted: June 14, 2019

They are organized and have support after school

Posted: June 14, 2019

Highly qualified and caring individuals. Small class sizes.

Posted: June 14, 2019

Great ROTC Program and structure all around campus.

Posted: 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 decision
2- have complete faith about the outcome
3- take selfless and inspired action

The 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.

Posted: July 8, 2018

Exceptional. ANA truly is the best environment to educate boys into upstanding and successful men.

Posted: July 8, 2018

Posted: 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.

Posted: 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.

Posted: March 3, 2017

The teachers can't be effective. There is no administrative support for them. The Dean, Ethan, is immature and has no experience.

Posted: March 3, 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.

Posted: November 5, 2013

This school has changed the lives of many young men that have attended and are attending.

Posted: October 7, 2013

The Army and Navy academy has just had its 103th birthday. Having over one Century of history, this school develops the sense of honor integrity in its students. It is more than common courtesy, but actually taking pride in what we do and who we are. The affinity this shcool has with the US Military Academy, West Point, NY has given its cadets abundant knowledge of the military. While thriving to achieve excellent academic stardards, the Army and Navy Academy puts in good character and good life attitude in its students. The thing I love the most about this academy is the fact that it has really small class (12 people ave). Students have plenty of opportunities to communitcate with teachers. Studnets can ask questions in extra time in the evening and afternoon, teachers will be in classrooms to assist. One thing that this school might want to improve is to have classes start later. This is my second year in this school. I love its unique structure and its traditions.

Posted: August 24, 2013

Our son attended the JROTC leadership camp this year. It was an amazing experience for him and us, as parents. During his sophomore and junior year at high school in Hawaii, he was having challenges particularly focusing on his work. To our great surprise, this summer program resulting in him receiving 8 ribbons, appointed commander of the 2nd platoon, and graduated in the top 10% of his class to achieve "Honor Graduate". My wife and I could not have been happier. He is there at the ANA now for his senior year and feels right at home with his peers and officers. The change in him is exactly what we have been praying to see. This is one of the best decisions that we have made and I personally believe that boys are missing out on a great opportunity to become men and leaders if they have not visiting this amazing campus on the Pacific ocean. I just spoke to him today and he is settling in and is ready to assume a strong leadership role and knows that he will be appreciated for his contributions to this school. I have not seen him this motivated and determined to succeed in years. Bravo ANA!

Posted: August 21, 2013

At Army and Navy, classes are much easier to understand, making it less difficult to pass and helped me maintain a good GPA. At my old public school, the teachers were too busy dealing with six classes of thirty to fifty students, so they could not spend time with people who were struggling. With a small ratio of students to teachers, Army and Navy teachers were able to spend time to give extra lessons to struggling students. Dorm life is difficult to get used to, especially at an all boys school, but it was enjoyable enough to keep me through the year. Senior year was especially the best when it comes to dorm life. Seniors have more freedom in choosing their rooms as well as roommates. The best part about Army and Navy was that we were right on the beach. The beach in Carlsbad that the school resides in is very beautiful; with warm sand and cool waters, it was the best place to be when you want to relax and get away from school stress during your free time. The best thing that has happened to me at Army and Navy was building confidence and self esteem. I've always had low confidence and self esteem, but after going through Army and Navy, I feel much better about myself.

Posted: July 15, 2013

I was only a boarding student for my senior year. I enjoyed it a lot more than going home on a daily basis. The rooms are set up sort of like a college dorm. A bed with a desk under it with a desk light, closet space for uniforms, and a set of dresser drawers that can be locked. Rooms are assigned, for new students, according to each cadet s interests and preferences. Returners are allowed to pick their roommate as long as the choice is approved by the Commandant and Residential life officer. If there is a problem with a roommate, arrangements can be made for students to move rooms. I was always a very good and diligent student during my time at the Academy. The attention that the teachers would give you if you needed it was phenomenal and very helpful. The average class size is about 15 students per every one teacher. There are a wide variety of classes for students to choose from. Different Advanced Placement and Honors courses are available to students if they are interested in that. The environment is very competitive but friendly at the same time. Overall, the Academy was very helpful to preparing me for real life.

Posted: May 17, 2013

The Academy follows U.C. standards and 98% of seniors matriculate to college and universities. These are stats from the past 5 years and only a small % go off to the miltary after graduating. With graduates at MIT, John Hopkins, UCLA, NYU, Rutgers, Penn State, we are very proud of our graduates. Find out more by speaking directly to parents and alumni.

Posted: May 12, 2013

While this school pretends to be a college prep school, it is nothing short of Animal House in uniform. Students getting caught with tobacco and alcohol get a slap on the wrist, no discipline unless you call doing push ups and running laps discipline. Many of the teachers have little respect from the students, deservingly so. If you give a child multiple attempts to complete something with no repercussion, how can they have respect? Doesn't matter if its a teacher or parent. The students run the school. Someone else wrote about inflated grades. We couldn't agree more. Our son did so poorly on national exams and that is a direct reflection on the school and what they are teaching. They teach the bare minimums. Is that what you want for your son? If you are going to pay all this money, go to a school with teachers who stay year to year and have advanced degrees to be role models for your son. Army Navy, shame on you for falsely luring families in just to turn out recruits for the military. parents don't be blinded by the hype. Kids don't return the following year because parents listened to them and found out the truth about what's happening there.

Posted: May 9, 2013

I cannot recommend this school to any one. My son went during middle school years and basically the school is "dumbed" down with a grading scale that has 59 as a passing grade and what normally is an F in other states, is a C at this school. To make matters worse, the school allows the students to make up failing test grades and keeps the highest grade for parents to see so they think their son is doing great. The grades are artifically inflated to make the parents happy and keep paying the money to send their son here. Meanwhile the students are losing ground with their peers even in public schools. And if they see your son is not too bright, they will stick him in minimum core classes only and focus on military training. The students have video games and tv's in their rooms and freedom to roam the streets. At 12, this is a nightmare waiting to happen to some poor child. This school is only interested in churning out military recruits because they are too ignorant to graduate college. THey may get in, but don't graduate. This is NOT a typical military boarding school. it will not help your child if he has no self control or self discipline. There are much better options.

Posted: January 14, 2013

This is not a reform school, or a military prison school. If your son is uncontrollable elsewhere, he will continue to be so here. Yes, they have military influences covering much of daily life, but the school does allow boys some level of self-determination, as well as access to off-campus. I don't see how you can blame a school if your son starts smoking. I'm not rich, yet my son was treated great. He had to work hard in classes, and ended up graduating as valedictorian and receiving a full scholarship to college. He participated in so many activities and won so many badges/pins I used to joke with him that his uniform looked like some sort of South American dictator! In public school he only did the minimum asked of him. He agreed to go to ANA in 8th grade as a day student, and then begged to board there for the rest of his time. He was allowed to make mistakes, and learned how to correct for them. The attention he got from teachers/counsellors was amazing. He made great friends from around the world. He's turned out to be an incredible adult, and I give ANA a lot of credit for that.

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	Palisades Pointe	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Carlsbad	CA	2.2 mi
2	Mira Costa Estates	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Oceanside	CA	3.7 mi
3	St. Cloud	Condominium/Townhouse	Oceanside	CA	5 mi
4	Montecito village apartments	Apartment Complex	Oceanside	CA	5.1 mi
5	Windsor at Aviara	Apartment Complex	Carlsbad	CA	5.6 mi
6	Shadowridge	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Vista	CA	6.6 mi
7	La Costa	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Carlsbad	CA	6.7 mi
8	Rancho Carrillo	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Carlsbad	CA	7.5 mi
9	Torrey Highlands	Neighborhood/Subdivision	San Diego	CA	17.5 mi
10	Whispering Winds Apartments	Apartment Complex	San Clemente	CA	24 mi
11	Redhawk	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Temecula	CA	25.8 mi
12	Spectrum Center Blvd, Kearny Mesa	Neighborhood/Subdivision	San Diego	CA	26.4 mi
13	Canyon View	Neighborhood/Subdivision	San Diego	CA	28.1 mi

#	Name	City	State	Distance
1	Carlsbad	Carlsbad	CA	0.5 mi
2	Downtown Oceanside	Oceanside	CA	2.7 mi
3	Encinitas	Encinitas	CA	9.4 mi
4	Lake Rancho Viejo	Fallbrook	CA	16.4 mi
5	Torrey Highlands	San Diego	CA	17.5 mi
6	Mira Mesa	San Diego	CA	21.2 mi
7	La Jolla	La Jolla	CA	22.3 mi
8	University City	San Diego	CA	22.7 mi
9	Downtown	San Clemente	CA	23.5 mi
10	Wine Country area of Scripps Ranch	San Diego	CA	23.6 mi
11	Temecula, California	Temecula	CA	27.1 mi
12	Serra Mesa	San Diego	CA	28.1 mi

Base	Distance
Camp Pendleton	13.6 mi.
Miramar MCAS	23.7 mi.
MCRD San Diego	30.6 mi.
San Diego Naval Medical Center	32.3 mi.
North Island NAS	33.2 mi.
Naval Base Point Loma	33.6 mi.
Coronado Naval Amphibious Base	35.5 mi.
San Diego Naval Base	35.8 mi.

Army and Navy Academy

Carlsbad, CA 92008

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Carlsbad, CA 92008

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