Reviews of Camden Military Academy (School)

Lynn Coggins

Camden Military has been a blessing to our family. Our son was struggling in the public school with his ADHD. He needed more structure and Camden Military Academy has given him that environment to learn more sucessfully. The small class size and shorter class periods has helped him stay focused and excel. He is now applying to colleges and looking forward to taking the next step in his education.

Alston Miethbauer

Our son is starting his third year and he is excited to go back. The small, structured environment of this school fits our son's needs. Academically our son has excelled and the experience the school provides will prepare him for life. A good experience he has had was the great comradeship of his fellow cadets, who came from many areas of the world. Our son has moved up in rank and looks forward to taking on more responsibilities. Our hope for him is to have a happy and successful year at CMA.

Scott Levine

Our son Andrew was a very smart 9th grader. Unfortunately he did not apply himself. He got by but never studied. He tried out for tennis but got cut. We enrolled him for 10th grade at Camden Military Academy. We made the 750 mile journey from NY to SC. I really thought we'd be driving back in 2-weeks to pick him up. Boy was I wrong. Not only did he make it there, but he flourished. With the structure and motivation he was taught to want to succeed. So much that he was the valedictorian of his class and played varsity tennis. We are so happy to have sent him to Camden. Yes, we miss him every day, but he is getting everything he needs at Camden. By being on his own, he has become very responsible and very self-confident. Camden has been a great investment and we are sending him back for his junior and senior years. We are indebted to CMA for helping mold our son.

Heidi Hogan

My son, Alex, began Camden Military Academy as a means to improve his academic performance and his behavioral issues in the summer of 2013. Prior to that, Alex was failing in all but P.E. at a local public middle school in Charlotte, NC where we live. In addition to his poor academic record, Alex had begun demonstrating behavioral issues over the course of the last 2-3 years that began to mandate some type of alternate lifestyle changes for himself as well as our family. I cannot tell you how difficult it was to come to the decision to have Alex attend a school where he would not be residing in our residence 24/7 but after looking at all possible scenarios, it was the only choice my husband and I felt we had, in order to be able to help Alex. After making that decision, we knew we had to find a school that would teach Alex how to improve his learning abilities, form steadfast positive study habits and objectives, and grow in his behavioral choices by reinforcing structure scholastically as well for personal maturity of self. Alex has attended Camden for the last year and I cannot say enough about the security it has brought to me as well as pride in my son and joy for him in his academic successes during this time. In less than 1 year, he has went from a failing student to one that is well above average academically. It's been years since Alex has passed all his subjects and I'm happy to say he will finish out the year passing all of his courses and begin High School at Camden this Fall. I have had the pleasure of interacting with the staff at Camden over the last year many, many times- from my first phone call with Casey Robinson in Academics, to the nurses (Rachel and Denise), to the Commanding Officers (Ergenkoff)... they have all watched over and treated Alex with the respect and care that I could only hope for. It amazes me that there are more than 300 students on campus with the follow up I get concerning Alex. Behaviorally, Alex is continuing to improve as he witnesses the actions, continuity, and performance based acknowledgement that Camden students seem to thrive on. My heartfelt appreciation goes out to all of the Camden folks I correspond with regularly and those I haven't yet had the pleasure to meet. In a year, you have made a difference in just the way Alex acts and reacts in our home, and have taught all of us that his capabilities exceed even what I thought was his potential. Alex has more room to grow in his next few years and I hope that Camden continues to help mold him throughout. Thank you again. Heidi Hogan

Angie Kendrick

Camden Military Academy was a great decision for our son. While he isn't a problem teen, he was making poor decisions. A family member had attended CMA, and we knew that this would be an opportunity for our son to be able to excel. The leadership, guidance, and support have been excellent. He's forming relationships that he will have for a lifetime. Even if your child doesn't struggle socially or academically, CMA is a fabulous choice for an opportunity for growth and development.

Vulsar Mods

A great place to turn your boy into a man.

Lynne Folts

For any parent considering sending their son to Camden Military Academy, I highly recommend it!...Our son while extremely bright in so many ways, suffered terribly since elementary school with ADHD, and we were losing him academically and socially in the mainstream public school system, and while trying everything under the sun from medications, tutors, never ending communications with teachers, lost assignments, battle royals in keeping him on task, it was just a frustrating nightmare which only got worse as he entered High school. So while we discovered Camden Military Academy as our son also seem to show an interest in some military related fields, we enrolled him in CMA for the second semester of Junior year to give it a try as a last ditch effort and WOWW what a difference. The structure was exactly what he needed in him thriving in that environment, the major improvements to his self esteem, self discipline, and as that created a motivation for him to succeed for himself and amongst his peers was just remarkable. I don't care if your son has an interest in the military, academic/learning impairments, social issues, or just a kid in search of himself while getting a good solid education with people who are committed to having your son meet those goals, CMA is the ticket, and in truly motivating these boys to dig inside themselves in discovering their true potential in being accountable to others but most importantly themselves...My son is now a 3.85 GPA student on consistent honor roll, a second lieutenant for his company as he has earned the respect of his peers, faculty, and most importantly now himself, and I would be more than happy to elaborate more on our experience to any parent considering, or presently has a son enrolled in CMA....and as for us as just an average family was worth every burger I had to flip in order to supplement our income in getting him there...and finally...not sure about one of the other reviews on here regarding the school being a "joke", teachers posts, or tours of the school or speaking to the students, my son would be HAPPY to share his experience at Camden that with any school for any student there are challenges on multiple levels whereas that is just life in general and OUR job as a parent I believe is to encourage our children to meet these challenges as best they can in learning to adjust in becoming an "adult"... and yep teenage boys sharing a room does certainly not mirror a room at the Ritz Carlton and as personally my son's room may never look that way?...lol...but he has certainly learned that whatever choices he makes towards his own success in general are now HIS as well as whatever consequences to follow and THAT is more than half the battle won for even some adults we may know...again a Thumbs up for CMA...and to the staff for a job well done....:)

Eric Widmar

CMA has been a God-send for our family. We are active-duty military, and our son struggled significantly in junior high school, both academically and socially. Unfortunately, his challenges manifested themselves at home in unhelpful ways. After one year at CMA, our son is a completely different person. His GPA went from a 1.7 to a 3.4, he was promoted 3 times in one year, and his sense of confidence, responsibility, and respect for others has helped him to become the young man we always knew he could be. His experience is a powerful example of the benefits of the CMA environment, support, and teaching methodologies, both in and out of the classroom.

Stephanie Aaron

My son really likes CMA and really feels like he has brothers for life there. I had a few greviences with the diet plan and workout regimine for the students. Upon observation there are several overweight students for this to be a military style academy. There were other small things that concern me but nothing so major that I would not allow my son to return for another year. This will be his third year. I would like to see more leadership training with the students as well a some sort of a healthy lifestyle implemented. Overall, I see a change in my son and his attitude toward responsibility and being a better person.

Christina Miller

This school, Camden Military Academy, has done a world of difference for my son. It brought discipline that, as a single mother, I could not provide. The teachers are caring and have made an impression on him. He will be returning in September.

E _

I attended for two years and graduated from Camden Military Academy. My time here was filled with good and bad times but could never be said to be boring. There are some fine teachers here to be sure and can only speak to the ones I have had. Teachers of note were Grogan, Arrat (spelling may be incorrect, no longer employed), Marshal (may no longer be employed), Thaxton (may no longer be employed), Schrader (No longer employed), Wang, Hartley, and Johnson. The excellent teachers I recall were Grogan, Schrader, Wang, and Marshal. They were all hard working men and knowledgeable in the subjects they taught. As for the rest, it is insulting to have their names in the same sentence. Arrat was a Spanish teacher at the school for many years, a very lazy man. When we took our exams the answer key would be attached, in class most students sleep and he most likely would be watching a soccer game on his tablet. Lecture in the course took up maybe 2 hours total over a semester of classes I had with him, in a course meeting 45 minutes or so a day, every week day. Thaxton was a kind woman but to be frank, was dull as a rock. Her courses were loved by the students as there were little to no rules and the only knowledge ever gained was when she would talk trash and gossip about our temperamental Dean of Students. A famous story on campus was when she took two students to a local Walmart and under her supervision, they robbed the store and subsequently were arrested (One of the two students was expelled, the other from my understanding was more or less innocent). Johnson teaches History on campus. By teach I mean he will maybe assign pages to read and then will experiment with how long someone can be in REM sleep and stay employed. There is no exaggeration when I say this but the man sleeps at some point in 4/5 lectures I attended weekly. These are not all horrible teachers I had but only the notable ones. The quality of teaching on campus was quite bad, I entered university with little background in chemistry or other important subjects. Of course any student can motivate themselves to be proficient in any subject, so the blame is not one-sided, but in speaking with other students I graduated with, they agree wholeheartedly. Onto discipline and student life, the standards are equally terrible. I have many stories of what goes on but one that stood out to me from the week I arrived on campus was this. It was my 4th day on campus, a sunday night, I open my door (Into the hallway) and the Company Executive Officer (student) walks into the barracks after a furlough weekend high as a kite. CSM Irtenkauf sees the student and says Welcome back (X), and then does not comment on his obvious intoxication, and tells him to go to his room. Why he said nothing to this day I can only narrow it down to two answers, he doesn't care, or is blatantly incompetent. Of the six cadet officers in our Barracks that year, three Lieutenants smoked weed and did acid on a regular basis and the cadet Company Commander regularly took SARMs (a non-anabolic steroid). This drug abuse continued on to a lesser extent the following year but to this day (according to friends still attending 2019) is still going on. These are standout examples I have seen first hand but mind you this is only the tip of the Ice Berg and part of a disturbing trend. Faculty who run the barracks (known as TAC officers) with few exceptions are quite incompetent. The campus has a policy of allowing these TACs to select their student leadership in the barracks with little oversight. This combined with students rarely being expelled for bad conduct means that TAC officers have an incentive to promote the students that are the worst behavior wise, killing two birds with one stone. This way disruptive students now have an incentive to not fight the system. These students may improve in character but at the expense of every other student. I would say more, text limit reached. Best of luck, I recommend you send your child to somewhere else, anywhere but here until this is sorted out.

Caleb Watson

This place helped me a decent amount with my discipline issues and the TACs really know how to instill a sense of pride in oneself through mentorship and daily advice. My only problem (and one that the staff in the school seems to be working on) is the sheer amount of nicotine products in the undergrounds of the school. Other than that, everything else about the school is great.

Natalia Nunez

Prior to Camden Military Academy, my brother lacked motivation and focus. He was failing multiple classes and did not care. His teachers said that he was a bright young man but lacked discipline when it came to school work. When it came time for the new school year, my brother expressed an interest in going to a military school. My parents thought it was the perfect time to send him, so that hopefully he would learn some discipline when it came to school. Since attending CMA I have seen a complete change in my brother. He was on the Dean List this past year and was actually excited for his classes. He is active in sports and clubs and has made a bunch of friends. Sending him to CMA was the best decision my parents made.

thomas braun

1962-1966 Class '66. I arrived at CMA in 1962 without any knowledge of English language. Back then from Venezuela. Indeed we had other students from foreign nations. Teachers were excellent and very understanding to all of us. Our 1966 graduating class was 51 cadets back then. Some of our friends regardless of race, color or religion never returned back from Nam. It was a Jr. ROTC school but it sure teaches you discipline, courtesy and values which are applicable later in life. I highly recommend CMA.

J McNicoll

In our third attempt to find a school that could help our son to grow academically and more importantly, in virtue, we sent our son to Camden. He had previously been in a school ranked in the top 20 of the State of California, and even they could not help him to overcome his constant defiance, poor academic achievement and lack of cooperation with the school authorities. His behavior at home was equally undesirable. He was disrespectful and it was a constant fight with him to get him to do the minimum. From the first interview that he had with Mr. Robinson over the phone, our son instantly knew Camden was the best fit out of his options, and asked us to please send him there. My husband went to check out the school and agreed that it was a good fit for him. The reasonable tuition was another attraction. Our son started the school year at Camden this past fall and at the first break I went to the Parent Teacher Conference. My son showed me the campus with great pride, and took me to meet each one of his teachers. Every one, Ltc. Rice, Mjr. Dority , Ltc. Hartley, Mjr. Reeder, Cpt. Thomley, and his TAC 1SG Collins, showed a real interest in his wellbeing. The improvements in his grades as well as their comments on his behavior were beyond my expectations. I was completely awed by his behavioral improvement as well. The academic year has gone by and the whole family is enjoying our son’s company during summer break. He cooperates at home, helps out with chores, is much more respectful and he is clearly much happier. He is proud of his academic achievements. He achieved straight A’s and as a sign of his overall character improvement he has been promoted to Corporal. Although it is not easy or economical for us to have our son in the other side of the Continent, we are convinced that Camden is the best investment we could make for him. We thank God for the blessing of Camden Military Academy. Lucy McNicoll

Ron Howes

Camden Military Academy is not perfect. Our son was there for 7th grade and yes there were a couple of fights. You have 300 boys on this campus. Guess what boys fight. There were some bullies but when we talked with the leadership the bullies were taken out. During the year our son was there we were aware of at least 3 students that were expelled. That’s 1% of the student body. Check your local school for their expulsion and suspension rates. The academics are sound your children will get a quality education for the money spent. Yes your kid will get yelled at and disciplined like marching around the parade field to work off demerits. Yes your child may come home with some new cuss words. No there is no racism there. We are white and our son is African American. Kids use the N word the staff does not and when caught the kids who use the N word get discipline. Summary: This is not a perfect school but it’s a very very good school. We found a significant difference between our son before CMA and after. We will be sending him back for 9-12. The summer school isn’t cheap but it’s a great introduction to the school.

Andrew Clapper

It’s funny reading these reviews now. I attended CMA more than a decade ago under Sergeant Major Stokes. Blanket parties were a thing I heard about but never experienced because I kept my head down. The underground tobacco trade was very much a thing. That I know from firsthand experience. If your child is a salesman and can buy underage he stands to make quite a bit of money. When I was there the cadets ran the school. If you told on fellow cadets for anything or stood out in what they though was a bad way you would have problems. Getting good grades was easy. I had a biology teacher whose practice exam was the exact same as the test and he’d go over the correct answers beforehand. My gpa sky rocketed. It’s not a gladiator school unless you’re kid is looking for it but it’s not prestigious either. I attended a boarding school my following year. Much more strict and much less dangerous. Well just to edit I’m proud I attended a school that could hire such a great PR team! If only they spent as much on their educational staff. This place was a circus. Send your kid if you are done and fed up but it didn’t help anyone while I was there. I have a strong impression it won’t help them now. There are other better options out there.

Wendy Green

Our son got his wake-up call when he needed to attend summer school for failing physical science. My threats of "You better get that attitude in check, pick up those grades, or there won't be any summer vacation for you" was now his reality. Luckily for us, we found Camden Military Academy. As he had done well in his other classes, we didn't want his summer school attendance to be a punishment for him. CMA summer program was the ideal program, in the ideal location. At the end of the 5 weeks, we got much more than we bargained for. He passed the class, which we knew he was capable of doing. Most impressively for us, our son transitioned back home being a respectful, polite, POLISHED, young man. In the 4th week, his phone calls were more frequent, he kept asking, "where am I going to school this year?" My response, "where else but back on St.Croix!" I was caught off-guard, our son wanted to continue his education at CMA. Not being financially prepared, he returned home for that current school year. Upon his return, we discussed it. Like many other parents, I vented, "why did I have to pay for you to pass a class in the summer, when you had the whole school year to do so?" I also asked, "why do want to go to Camden, is it easy?" His response, "No, the teachers take their time with you and makes it easy for you to understand." I was SOLD! His expressions said it all. He returned to CMA the following school year to begin his high school years. Since the summer of 2015, CMA continues to have a profound impact on our son in many aspects, as they transformed him from a young boy, to now a young man for his CMA 2018 Junior year.

josh .williams

This school is not a school you would not want to send your kid. My kid was costantly beat up on and made fun of because of his size. Not only did they to that but they have a thing called a "blaket party". Which is when they throw a blanket over your head and beat you up not a very nice place to send your child. Im sick amd tired of what they make it seem to be. If i could give zero stars!!!

Patrice Tutt

Camden's Summer School Program was a huge blessing for our our family and especially our son. Our son spent almost 6 weeks there taking two classes this summer. He received the individualized teaching assistance he needed and was able to pass both classes with high scores. The teachers taught and coached our son as if he was their very own child and for this we are very grateful. My son was very happy there. So happy, he wanted to go back to Camden for the upcoming school year and we enrolled him. He came home after 3 weeks and he was changed young man. He was more respectful, humble, cooperative, and more responsible. I thank God for Camden Military Academy. This school is super fantastic.

Ashley Ripley

Camden Military Academy has turned out to be the best decision for quality education for our youngest son. At first we were very nervous on sending our son away to a military boarding school. After our sons first few weeks at CMA he was so excited to tell us all about the formations and the events he had taken part in. From the cadet challenge to the gold star parade our son started to feel he like was part of a brotherhood and actually fit in with his peers. With several calls from his TAC officer a month we learned that our little boy was developing into a respectful young man. He is on the Dean's list and Honors list and continues to make his parents proud. The structure and guidance that our son has received at this school is nothing short of remarkable. His Self-Esteem has increased and his respect for others is more than we could have asked for. Thanks CMA!

Nancy Pitt

Sending our 14 year old son away to military school was one of the hardest decision we have had to make. He is a great young man who was having a difficult time making good decisions or living up to his full potential. In 10 short weeks at CMA, the changes we have seen are a blessing. From one who was failing in his school work, making poor decisions, disrespecting himself and others, he is now achieving academic success on the Honor Roll, taking personal accountability for his actions and showing a higher level of maturity. As a result of the structure that CMA offers, it is great to witness him enjoying the success of his hard work. Seeing the pride he takes in athletics and academics, coupled with the bonds he has developed with other cadets is affirmation that we made the right decision. As a result of the relationships with his teachers, staff and TAC officers, our son has grown to appreciate the disciplined military lifestyle that CMA offers. We are now excited for his future and highly recommend CMA to other parents looking to change the trajectory of their sons future as well.

c mccahey

I live in California and i flew out there and I was thrown out of Camden military academy after I was accepted because of my religious beliefs, I'm a Catholic. As well as one staff member being so keen almost excited to tell my MOTHER that no one liked her. I also had a footlocker shipped there and after I left I had asked them to send it to me but never received it. All in all it was the price of a plain ticket, car rental, hotel, and and plain ticket back to California.

Bob Harry

I am a Cadet at Camden Military Academy, disguard all the comments you have read thus far the comments you have read are from the staff of Camden Military Academy (CMA). So obviously they are paid the leave a decent review. I chose to come to this school for a better education (which I am not getting).Here is the honest truth about this school. This school is a complete disaster drugs plague this school, you name it all the types of drugs that exist seem to exist here. People get kicked out left and right because of these reasons. You would think that it would be getting better since we are kicking these people out but the people that are sent here seem to overcome that. Fights also are an issue here people go to the hospital left and right because of either drugs or fights. I cannot name how many lies the staff have told me about reguaring this place it’s is but innumerable. 1 (“you have to want to come to Camden Military Academy”) people here don’t go awol for no reason do they? That is a lie, ask ANY Cadet here trust me they would rather be somewhere else. 2 (“ there is WiFi in the barracks”) completely false I can barley get service here and the WiFi that is on campus is well beyond the barracks. 3 (“ we put education first”) completely false. I have been told by my teachers that they would pass me because of the way I look. Plus the whole study hall thing is a complete disaster they yell at us for no reason all while we are trying to study. 4 (“we don’t condone hazing of any kind”) wrong I have have seen tac officers manhandle kids. They aren’t afraid to grab you witch is completely unexeptable I’ve also witness a tac threatening another Cadet. That is just scratching the surface on this place. Nothing they say about this place is true, it’s all for advertisement purposes. Do not ask my name or what company I am in. I ask to remain anonymous for my own personal safety. I wish more cadets would come out like this but most of them are scared. Do not send your kid here if you are a concerned parent don’t waste your money a public school is better than this and that is saying something.

Diane Furlow

I am the single mother of two sons who attend Camden Military Academy. In this current culture of entitlement, division, and disrespect for authority, I was struggling to raise my boys to become respectful men of sound judgement and good moral character. Camden Military Academy is the best decision I have ever made as a parent bar none. The Academy has an arsenal of resources. A cache of manhood so to speak. It is an environment full of good male role models in close proximity. Whether it be staff or fellow cadets, all members embrace characteristics of discipline, honor, respect, and love of country. The Academy directs young men to work hard and persevere. With that comes maturity and growth the adolescent young man thrives in. My boys have embraced the Academy and its teachings of unity, solidarity, and reward for personal achievement. I have watched them grow and mature into young men of distinction. Camden has helped to change the trajectory of both my sons lives. It has been a complete joy to watch their transformation. I am forever indebted to Camden Military Academy and its staff.

Robert Gaddis

Our family was searching for a school that would fully develop our son into a man. We desired a school that would teach responsibility, discipline, courtesy and respect, in addition to standard academic subjects and sports. Furthermore, our son was searching for a way to express his independence and self-reliance. We were fortunate to find Camden Military Academy and are greatly impressed with Camden's ability to transform our son, in such a short period of time. By the end of October of his first year, our son was displaying respect and courtesy which he was previously lacking. In addition, through Camden's approach to academics, and their tutoring program, we were greatly pleased to see a rapid improvement in our son's grades. Our son is happy at Camden, because he likes the independence that a boarding school provides, while still providing structure and supervision. We strongly recommend Camden Military Academy to prospective families searching for a truly unique and rewarding academic experience.

Tristan Keane

This school is a waste of money. 3 kids have been raped. Dean of students has had relations that go way outside the appropriate bounds of teacher student in a sexual manner. Not at all how they sell the school on tours.

Lisa MacKenzie

A naturally bright young man with a dynamic personality, my son unfortunately suffered from insecurity and low self-esteem due to several factors in his life. My son began to struggle in the traditional public school system once he got to middle school. Despite the best efforts of his teachers, he struggled with learning issues that made it nearly impossible for him to succeed in this setting. Academic difficulties led to classroom distraction and disruption, leading to social challenges and by the end of 7th grade, every day became more impossible. My son was miserable, begging for a different school situation, and my life had become nearly consumed with managing the school and social relationships. Additionally, having not had a male role model in his life (we divorced when my son was 2 and his father died 6 years later) was very difficult for my son, and clearly left a void in his life. Over the course of the summer, we researched and evaluated 20-25 different school situations, including private schools, traditional boarding schools, online education programs and more. When we visited Camden Military Academy, it truly felt like the right place for my son. Our experience during this first year at CMA has been very positive - my son will be finishing 8th grade in May. The school does a great job of matching boys with the TAC officers, company cadets and roommates who are good matches for their personality types. His life in his company and barracks gives him very clear definitions of what is expected and the consequences of doing, or not doing what he is supposed to do. There are many additional activities for the cadets to participate in, including a well-equipped common house, numerous fields for casual athletics, swimming pool, library, weight room, etc.... In addition, the school fields teams for nearly every varsity sport, and competes regularly with schools in their area. My son has been able to participate in football, lacrosse and Black Jacks, a drill team which afforded him the opportunity to travel to Washington, DC and compete in a national competition - ultimately shaking the hand of (Ret) General Colin Powell!! The cadets at CMA also have some opportunities to visit military installations nearby and are visited by important military figures. Recently my son shared his experience visiting a military airbase during which he and his fellow cadets were able to tour and experience a Blackhawk and an Apache helicopter! He is absolutely having experiences that he would not have in his life at home. Class sizes are VERY small at CMA, and this has allowed my son to receive the type of educational flexibility and attention that he needs - he has maintained an A/B average during his entire first year at the school. The faculty at CMA is comprised of both military and non-military personnel, so the cadets are exposed to both. My son has learned a tremendous amount about the various branches of the military, ranks in the military, and how each of these branches operates in service our country. This has created a curiosity in him about pursuing the military as his career, and I am so grateful that the school has helped to awaken this desire and direction. Each company of cadets at CMA is assigned to a barracks, and have (adult) TAC officers assigned to them. These officers are in charge of managing the daily routines of their cadets, maintaining discipline, inspections, study halls, travel plans and many other required functions. I have found the TAC officers to be a strong combination of stern, direct, authoritative, kind and helpful and am very grateful to them for their mentoring and care of my son. Overall, our first year at Camden has been a very positive experience in every way, and my son has gained confidence, respect, discipline and accountability that I know he would not have developed had he stayed in the situation he was in before. It spoke volumes to me when he started talking about returning for 9th grade, and in fact, his predicted path to leadership at the school through his high school years!

Denise

My son was failing at least 2 classes per semester and getting C's and D's in the rest of his classes before going to Camden Military. He is now on the honor roll and has felt what success feels like due to Camden Military. The school has given my son a chance to succeed in life.

Lucy McNicoll

In our third attempt to find a school that could help our son to grow academically and more importantly, in virtue, we sent our son to Camden. He had previously been in a school ranked in the top 20 of the State of California, and even they could not help him to overcome his constant defiance, poor academic achievement and lack of cooperation with the school authorities. His behavior at home was equally undesirable. He was disrespectful and it was a constant fight with him to get him to do the minimum. From the first interview that he had with Mr. Robinson over the phone, our son instantly knew Camden was the best fit out of his options, and asked us to please send him there. My husband went to check out the school and agreed that it was a good fit for him. The reasonable tuition was another attraction. Our son started the school year at Camden this past fall and at the first break I went to the Parent Teacher Conference. My son showed me the campus with great pride, and took me to meet each one of his teachers. Every one, Ltc. Rice, Mjr. Dority , Ltc. Hartley, Mjr. Reeder, Cpt. Thomley, and his TAC 1SG Collins, showed a real interest in his wellbeing. The improvements in his grades as well as their comments on his behavior were beyond my expectations. I was completely awed by his behavioral improvement as well. The academic year has gone by and the whole family is enjoying our son’s company during summer break. He cooperates at home, helps out with chores, is much more respectful and he is clearly much happier. He is proud of his academic achievements. He achieved straight A’s and as a sign of his overall character improvement he has been promoted to Corporal. Although it is not easy or economical for us to have our son in the other side of the Continent, we are convinced that Camden is the best investment we could make for him. We thank God for the blessing of Camden Military Academy.

Griff Beckham

I have been at Camden Military Academy for eight years, and my experience here has been excellent. I have seen plenty of boys turn into young men due to the individual attention, encouragement and motivation provided by all staff and faculty. Our cadets here are held to very high standards. Our academics have improved over my eight year period and they continue to grow every year with implementations of new courses, technology and even offering more college credits. At Camden Military Academy, teachers enthusiastically volunteer their time before and after school to help kids improve academically. Many of our teachers also coach, and I have seen many valuable life lessons learned both inside and outside of the classroom. There are plenty of sports and activities enabling our cadets to have different experiences. Each cadet has a different experience, and as a teacher and coach, I try to make sure those memories last a lifetime. Rather it is a project we are doing in Physical Science class, an academic bowl utilizing mathematic strategies, an athletic challenge in physical education or the bond of family developed through team sports, I have seen countless kids form friendships here that will last a lifetime. I believe in the difference we make in young men's lives here, and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Camden Military Academy. Once A Spartan Always A Spartan!

Luke Mcguire

i have two boys who attend CMA. my seventeen year old began getting into trouble at the age of thirteen, he is now going into his senior year, first in his class and number two top ranked cadet at CMA. he is respectful and working towards his goal of attending the citadel. my sixteen year old struggled academically his entire life, he has had an IEP, private tutoring and other private schools. CMA is the only place he has succeeded in school, and he now has hopes of attending the Air Force Academy. i cannot say enough about Camden it has taught my children integrity, respect and honor. it has given them both a future they would never have obtained anywhere else

James Yanacheck

I am extremely happy with my son''''''''s experience at Camden Military Academy. He attended the summer program and he is approaching the conclusion of the eighth grade. I have noticed a positive change, both academically and his disipline. He carries himself with more self confidence and is eager to return for the summer program this year. I love the "new" Daniel and I am excited for his future at CMA, and beyond

oiralis gonzalez

My 13 years old son was struggling in life and we did not know what else to do with him. We tried all type of therapies, psychiatric medications, and nothing worked. I was afraid that if he continues making those wrong choices that will lead him to drugs or incarcerate. On my desperation for helping him and straitening his path, I found Camden. We admitted him on January 2018 for the half of the academic year and we started seeing immediate results. My son from being a total chaos to our lives became a pleasure to have him around. On the summer, I asked myself. If these changes have been only on a half of academic year, I can’t image what Camden will do on his life when he expends an entire year? The changes have been amazing to watch, He is now grateful, his grades improved tremendous, he is more mature, and he is more willing to compliant with our household rules. Not only we have seen all these changes but my family that at first were against my decision to admitting him on a “military school.” They are now congratulating him for his accomplishments and his incredible remarkable positive change. Camden has definitely make a difference in my child.

I.T Bowie

As a senior at CMA about to graduate in one day I feel that I should share my experience to more than my friends at home , but to people interested in this school.I have grown mentally and physically here . This school is what you make of it and if you try your best at succeeding you will . As I reflect back I think about the great people I have met and the love I have for each brother and staff member here I think of how far we all have come. When I first came I here I wasn’t the perfect cadet and made mistakes and it took me half a year to realize getting scolded wasn’t because you were disliked it was because CMA saw something greater in me than I saw in myself. I started looking at my TAC’s as a second set of parents and when I was on Chain Of Command I saw how much they care and the hard work they do for the core.Through the tough times and great ones I will never look back and regret my time here at CMA. It saddens me to leave but I am forever in debt to this school for the lessons they taught me and allowing me to meet my life long brothers.

Catherine Heller

This will be my sons senior year at CMA and I can't say enough about how he has grown in the past three years. I am thankful everyday for the opportunity to send him here.

Patricia Cattaro

The journey to May 2020! My sons started at CMA in 2014, the youngest son as seventh grade student. My boys have grown into an exceptional young man. I strongly believe the core values of CMA are integrity, honesty, and respect and they are shown, lived, and instilled into all their cadets. They also uphold family as another of their values. That is exactly what my sons are to CMA, family. My sons are treated and loved as if they are their sons. Their success matters as much to CMA as they do them and me. My oldest graduated from CMA in 2016 and will be graduating, from the Citadel, May 2020. My youngest is on track to graduate May 2020 from CMA. Thanks to CMA, I am a proud mom and May 2020 will be a busy month all made possible by this wonderful school.

Karen Dean

More As I reflect back on my son’s second year at Camden Military Academy, I re-read a post entitled “A Second Chance” I wrote on CMA’s Facebook page last year. At that time I was so thankful and amazed for the positive changes that I saw in my son. Camden taught my son, modeled for my son, and held my son to its mission statement to become the best “whole man” he could be. My son was truly happy and thriving, which manifested itself with great grades, positive attitude, and future goals. We were once again a peaceful, loving, silly family, and I did not dream for anything more. Yet now a year later, more is exactly what Camden has helped provide for my son. With each successful experience my son encounters, his self-pride grows, and his future dreams grow also. Because he excelled with structured academic time in his smaller-sized classes and in the quiet, mandatory study hall, my son began to love learning again. He has taken his renewed love of academics and has utilized the partnership that Camden has with the University of South Carolina at Lancaster and is taking college classes for dual credit. With his success in his college classes, his future goals to attend college have expanded; his academic success at CMA has opened the doors not only to schools like Chapel Hill and Wake Forrest, but also to the many outstanding military academies like The Navel Academy or West Point. However, Camden teaches much more than classroom knowledge; Camden teaches the whole child to develop morally, emotionally, and physically. CMA incorporates character building and teamwork throughout its day. Whether the cadets are cleaning their barracks and practicing formations before breakfast even begins or physically training on their sports team or interacting in their clubs after school, Camden builds to instill solid work ethics and communication skills to help each cadet build self-confidence, self-respect, loyalty, and leadership skills. Each teacher, TAC officer, and staff member models and holds my son to CMA’s rules and expectations, thereby helping him grow daily. So as my son completes his junior year and will enter his senior year in the fall of 2016 at Camden Military Academy, I am grateful beyond words to have had the opportunity to send my child to a school that not only talks about, but also lives, models, and instills, its mission statement to help each student to reach his full potential. CMA has helped our son become more: scholarly, confident, disciplined, goal-oriented, and most of all – truly happy.

Bill Hollingsworth

Prior to Camden Military Academy, our son Brandon was for the most part a well behaved and bright young man that lacked focus and purpose. This past year we have watched Brandon begin to realize his potential as a leader, who now walks with a purpose and is beginning to understand that he is much more intelligent that he ever thought. He went from D's and F's to A's and B's. Camden Military Academy has had a definite net positive effect on Brandon. There have been challenges along the way but in my view it has been well worth it! I highly recommend Camden for young men that just need a push and a bit more structure in their lives to succeed.

Deb Hughes

I am Daniel Wolf Larios’ Grandmother. Prior to sending my grandson to Camden, he was failing all his classes and his school was not going to promote him from sixth to seventh grade unless I agreed to send him to another school district I or a behavioral treatment center. Instead, I researched Military schools and was lucky enough to find the Camden Military Academy. Since Daniel has been at Camden his life has gone from being a child who refused to do school work and not participating in life to a young man who values his education, his family and sees many possibilities for his future.

Tara Gentile

Update May 2015: My son is completing his second year at Camden Military Academy, and I am very pleased with the progress he has made. His grades improved immediately, and he has maintained a high degree of academic achievement during his time there. His levels of self-disciple, self-motivation, and responsibility have soared as a result of the mentorship he has received and the accountability he is required to adhere to. He will be returning for his third year in the fall (at his own request), and I expect nothing less than continued success. April 2014: My son was not performing up to his abilities in the classroom or at home. After much research and guidance from professionals, my son and I decided Camden Military Academy might be the solution to our issues. Since attending Camden this first year, his grades have drastically improved, his motivation level is peaked, and his attitude has become more respectful, responsible, honest, and mature. It was a tough decision to send my son to Camden – only because of the guilt a parent can feel by sending their child to a boarding school – but it was absolutely the right choice. My son has loved his first year at Camden, and made the choice to return next year.

Tyler Scott

Is this school worth going too? My parents are threatening me to go here.

Eric Smith

Our son was a poster child for being a statistic. Always goofing off in Public schools and making many poor decisions. Frequently associating himself with other children also making bad decisions, fueling negative behavior on a daily basis thus resulting in poor grades and being held back. I can't begin to emphasize how exhausting it was trying to drag him "kicking and screaming" to a successful path. Various motivators were put into place and we would have a pattern of every 3 weeks on and off challenges. Finally, we made the decision to send our son to Camden Military Academy. After several months in his 1st year he sees the "Light" and made the decision on his own to step up to the plate, earn rank and embrace structure. He really cares about doing well and it shows in his attitude even when he is off campus. He is proud of what he is doing and so are we. Now that behavior is in check the grades have also improved dramatically! My only regret is NOT sending our son to Camden Military Academy Sooner!

Anthony Barone

Our son L.B has been there for one year and has completed his sophomore year. Simply can say enough about the quality and structure he has experienced during this time. Many thanks to Charlie Company. Sr Collins and Jackson for their never ending guidance and support. God bless this fine South Carolina school.

Katieydidd Katieydidd

I sent my son to Camden Military Academy several years ago. He needed a more structured and controlled environment. We live in a very high performing school district but the children are a little entitled. My son was more focused on his social life than he was his academics. While at Camden, because of the structured environment, he was not able to get into the sort of mischief that he got into at his high school back home. He needed that at the time. I credit the school with getting him to understand that he had to follow protocol and abide by the rules. I did have some issues with the school, however. My son and I are African American and I was appalled, to say the least, that the "N" word was widely used across the campus. I had to meet with the school's senior leadership, including the Commandant and Head of the School, several times until they finally understood, that as long as my son was attending the school, the word could not be used - AT ALL! Moreover, because of the hierarchy system, there were kids who were really not mature at all who had higher ranking. These kids abused their power - and even engaged in bullying some of the younger kids. My son got into several fights at the school defending younger kids who were being bullied. As a result, my son developed a following among the younger kids because they knew he would protect them. As at all schools, there was some drug abuse at the school. If your child is dealing with these kinds of issues, you will want to be careful. The school had a few good role models but not all of the school's leadership were able to or interested in really bonding with the kids and mentoring them. I confess that this is something I had really hoped for at the school and was left disappointed. The school is also very Christian based. If your child is white, Christian and of size and strong personality your child will likely fair well. If your child is none of the above, this might not be the school for your child. If your child is lacking one of the items I mentioned above, you will need to be thoroughly and completely engaged with your child's matriculation at the school and you must be prepared to visit the school regularly - at least once a month - so that your child will fair well. This might make things difficult if you live far from the school as did I. I do not regret my decision to send my son to this school, although had I known everything, I likely would have sent him to a different school. As as single mother, I was really looking for a school where my son could formulate strong connections with mature men of character. I did not find that at this school. But, that being said, when my son returned to his home school, he was more mature and did not get into the trouble (Parkouring at school, clowning with friends, getting to class late, not doing his homework, etc.) in which he had previously been engaging.

Kathy Lucas

Is this program for ages 12 and up or what ages

Michael Agasi

sooooo bad there are FIGHTS EVERY WEEK

Julie Chung

My son was not doing well in the public school system. It was not challenging enough that he was loosing interest. It was difficult for him to fully engage with the programs offered to him. When he arrived at Camden the difference was so amazing. He was immediately tested and advanced one grade level in both Math and English. I was impressed with Camden's flexibility in academic system. The military approach to maintaining order was a big advantage. My son found it much easier to focus on his studies. There were also a lot fewer distractions. As a result of this he made Dean's list throughout his first year. At Camden, cadets are organized into military companies. This means that my son routinely interacts with older cadets on a regular basis. I discovered that this allowed my son to mature more quickly due to the example set by these role models. Now as an eighth grader he has already set his sights on West Point, and a career as a medical doctor. He is confident that staying at Camden will allow him to meet his goals.

Nora Hughes

Deciding to send my son to Camden Military Academy was not easy. I was not open to sending him initially. It was my family's idea. I was actually angry that they wanted to send him to a "reform school" - he's not a juvenile delinquent, he just NEVER stopped to think about consequences. This is a boy with above average intelligence (not just mom's opinion, I assure you...) and ADHD. Highly intelligent boys get bored easily and find VERY creative ways to entertain themselves; now combine that with ADHD. Suffice it to say there's never been a dull moment. Then I visited the campus. I went on the tour and actually wished I had been able to go to a school like this. I asked a cadet who was not part of the tour staff what he thought. He told me there were things he liked and things he didn't like. I asked him if he thought it was ultimately a good decision to send him there and he said it was probably the best thing that ever happened to him, but not to tell his parents he said that (lol). I asked him if he'd send his son; he looked surprised, thought about it and said "Yeah, I really would". Camden Military Academy is NOT a reform school; it's a blessing. My husband passed away when our son was 8 months old. I have spent his entire life trying to raise a boy to be a good man. I planted the seed, but Camden helped bring it to fruition. After just one year, the changes have been amazing. To see him accept responsibility for his actions, and to consider the consequences of his actions, and to choose a better course of action is a wonderful thing. The respectful demeanor that is now the norm has eased the tensions in our household. Him being able to come into manhood surrounded by people who can relate to him (because as a mom, I've never been a teenage boy) is probably one of the best gifts I could ever have given him. Camden provides structure and supervision on a consistent basis, when working parents sometimes can't, and encourages the boys to strive to succeed as individuals and as teams. My son wrote me a letter and said that even though he initially hated the idea, he was glad he was at Camden. It's been wonderful for both of us.

Jeff Jordan

Im am a retired public school principal and now lucky enough to teach and coach at Camden Military Academy. This school is outstanding ! The small classes allow me to get to know the students and do what is best for them. We do not teach to a test as in public school. We teach so that the student actually learns the material and understand it. I am also impressed with all the help a student can receive from daily tutorials, learning centers and mandatory study halls. I highly recommend CMA for any young man!

Valerie Kelley

I have watched my grandson mature over the three years he has attended Camden Military Academy. His original goal was to join the army as soon as he reached seventeen. Now he is taking dual enrollment college classes! He took Drivers' Ed. while attending Camden Military Academy and I had no worries handing him the keys to my car this Spring Break. He greatly enjoyed the experience and independence. He spent some time job hunting so he can work this summer before returning to Camden for his final year. He plans to take more college classes and has identified a continuing interest in history. The responsibility he has been give, as part of the cadre, has helped both his self esteem and maturity. The mentors and role models, with whom he has interacted while at Camden Military Academy, have contributed to his maturity and have helped him to consider more ambitious goals for the future. Thank you to all who have played a part in helping my grandson become the mature young man that he is.

Jim McGuire

As a father of 2 Camden Cadets, I have nothing but positive things to say about Camden Military Academy. We dropped off a somewhat rebellious teenage boy that was struggling with his academics in a public school setting and demonstrating a lack of respect for his teachers, parents and family and a few years later we picked up a RESPECTFUL, CONFIDENT, SUCCESSFUL, GRADUATING young man! The discipline and direction as well as the support that our son received had a significant impact on his high school career as well as his personal growth and development. He went from being a mouthy, failing school boy to a young man that was respected by his classmates and learned to use his inner leadership abilities. We also have a son that is currently a cadet at the Academy. He has struggled with his academics for the majority of his school career. That is until he began attending Camden. He went from failing his classes in the public school system to passing every class at Camden. Not only did he pass but he achieved the BEST GRADES that he has EVER achieved. In addition to the turnaround in his academic performance we also saw him find direction and discipline in his behavior and activities. He was finally striving for something, striving for better grades, striving to improve, striving to earn "rank" in his company. Never had we seen this from our son before. We were receiving calls and texts from him just to let us know that he had earned a "rank up" or that he had gotten an A on a test or in the class. He was actually excited and proud of himself and for his achievments. Something he had never done or felt before. I would gladly recommend Camden Military Academy to anyone and as a matter of fact I have. I recommended that a friend enroll a member of their family a couple of years ago. They did and they experienced the same results with him. Struggling in public school, enrolled in Camden and graduated with excellent marks and a positive attitude! Jim

David Green

Camden Military Academy is an excellent school. CMA serves young men in grades seven through twelve as well as post-graduate. I came to work here in 1976 and have seen hundreds of success stories. The school strives to challenge students in academics and athletics, as well as their character development. Camden Military proves to the students that determination, consistency, and hard work actually pay off. Respect for authority and good study skills are two of the most important things I think our school has to offer. The opportunity to set and accomplish your goals is, and has always been, here. I highly recommend Camden Military Academy to any young man who desires to lead a successful life.

Christine Hernandez

My son started at Camden as an 8th grader and it couldn't have been soon enough. Since attending Camden, his behavior and school work have improved ten fold. He has gone from almost failing the 7th grade and failing 7th grade math to being on the honor roll while attending Camden. It means so much to me to see him succeeding and his self esteem to be on a much higher level then when he started. He was diagnosed with ADHD a few years ago and the teachers at his public schools would just push him to the side and not attend to him. At Camden, he gets more personalized attention since the classroom sizes are smaller and because of this, he is striving more so than at public school with his studies.

The Martin Family

We enrolled our son in CMA in fall 2016, hoping that this environment would help him overcome the difficulties he had dealing with structure and discipline. At the end of just one year at CMA, we see positive changes all around and our overall expectations of what can be accomplished in such little time have been surpassed. Not only has his school work improved tremendously, but he has also developed into a young man who understands that self-discipline and dedication are key elements for success. Being a member of the CMA-community is giving him the sense of belonging that has helped him build the confidence that he needs to thrive. It is wonderful to see him take pride in his accomplishments and to actively plan his future. Our son is looking forward to completing his senior-year at CMA, and we are immensely grateful to CMA for providing him with a nourishing environment and a wealth of opportunities that enable him to be a happy, responsible young man who finds the strength in himself to be the best he can be.

Graham England

Sending a child away form home to CMA during his high school years was a very difficult and emotional decision for our family. We would miss him terribly, but at the same time, we knew he needed structure, a purpose, and self-assurance that a single parent was unable to provide. During his first and second grading periods he made the Dean's List. Activities with the Civil Air Patrol, winning a Defensive Award in Baseball and playing both Jr. Varsity and Varsity were all highlights for this year. He also received his first promotion during his first few months of school. These achievements have given him confidence in his talents and ability to accomplish his goals. From the beginning, the staff at CMA have been extremely helpful and encouraging to us as a family. They always respond promptly, professionally and respectfully to all of our concerns, worries and even mundane questions. The teaching staff and coaches make the lessons interesting to their students while instilling responsibility, respect and confidence. We are very happy with the results of our decision to send him to Camden Military Academy.

Ed Jernigan

I find it interesting that teachers posted reviews at about the same time for this place. Ask the students what this school is like, not the teachers or staff who get paid by the school. Tour the school? Go ahead, they show specific rooms for a reason. Get away from asking the teachers about the place, ask the students, and not the students they have speak to you. I'm talking the kid that won't even make eye contact with you as he walks by. Why does everybody suddenly start passing classes? Check your bank statement. This school is a real joke, don't just take my word for it.

Nate Bristow

Camden Military Academy is everything you want as a parent for a young man!!! My son went from failing grades and no leadership skills to now passing with A's & B's and is a Sergeant with his company and leading other cadets. Camden has built character in my son and has taught him how to become a leader. His TACT officer Sergeant Major Wilder is one of the worlds best teachers in developing boys into men as well as the rest of the Camden Staff.

Kris Lucey

We chose to send our son to Camden because he was not doing well in school and his attitude was disrespectful and lackadaisical. Our son is finishing his freshman year at CMA and is now a different kid. He's still a 15 year old boy but the things he has learned at CMA during his 1st year are nothing short of amazing! He carries himself different, he stands taller and speaks with pride. He has gained much needed self confidence and the structure and discipline have been instrumental! We have already enrolled him for his Sophomore year and are excited to see what the next year holds.

Luke Christiansen

As an instructor at CMA I believe 100% in the mission of the school to build young men of character. Camden Military provides students with small classes, one on one instruction, and a unique faculty (how many high school students get to take math classes from a former pilot?). Young men from all walks of life can benefit from what CMA has to offer.

Amy Jarvis

Camden Military Academy has made a huge difference for our son. Before attending CMA, he didn't care at all about school. He never got in trouble, but he was unmotivated and lacked confidence. He was failing some classes and barely passing others. CMA has given him the structure and discipline that he needs to succeed. He is now making A's and B's and taking pride in his work. It has been such a joy to see our son realize his potential. He is growing into a responsible, confident young man, and he's making life-long friends along the way. We are forever grateful to Camden Military Academy for changing the course of our son's life.

Brandon Harbaugh

My son started at Camden Military Academy late in his sophomore year of High School after we had made our last military move to North Carolina. We made the decision for him to attend Camden Military Academy due to his goal of being a military officer and the opportunity and impact this could have on him achieving those goals. Before he started at CMA, he lacked confidence in himself and his ability to accomplish things like organization and becoming established with a good group of friends. In just a few short months I have seen a significant change to not only his attitude, but his focus, determination and generally the way he carries himself. He stands taller and takes pride in getting good grades and the possibility of becoming a leader amongst his peers. My son will graduate in 2019 and I have no doubt that the skills and attributes he has developed while attending CMA will stick with him for the rest of his life.

Darin Arthofer

This year was my son's first year at Camden Military Academy. In public school he was bored and did not feel challenged. He skated by with minimal effort. We tried challenging him but just could not seem to motivate him. When our family discussed the possibility of relocating he mentioned he was interested in attending a military academy for high school. We looked at several other schools but all agreed Camden would be the best fit for him. He learned very quickly that hard work pays off. He has made Deans list each quarter. He shows motivation and drive. The Boy Scout troop is very active and has him motivated to earn his Eagle Scout Rank next year. The teachers care about the students. We are very happy we made the decision to send him Camden.

Mark Dority

I am a Geometry instructor and wrestling coach at Camden Military Academy. I grew up in Camden SC, in a neighborhood less than a mile from the campus; therefore, I can say I know a little bit about the school. When I was a teenager I used to hear the bugle playing revielle every morning at 5:55 am and taps every night at 10:00. I could not imagine waking-up and going to bed at such hours. Moreover, when I saw cadets in Camden during their town-leave, I felt sorry for them for having to wear uniforms (I always wondered how they could act so cheerful and normal). Altogether, it made me thankful that I did not have to go to school there. So, its somewhat ironic that I would end teaching at Camden Military Academy. Seeing something from the inside certainly gives you a diffferent perspective. Let me use that pespective to give you an honest assesment of the school, students, and administration. In my opinion the school works best for students who are struggling due to lack of structure. The very nature of the regimented structure cures a lot of ills. Every cadet awakes, does physical-training, eats breakfast, cleans the barracks, goes to class, goes to lunch, goes back to class, goes to sports practice, goes to dinner, endures study-hall, goes to bed, at the same time each-and-every day. These guys are pretty tired by the week-end. This system does not work for everybody. Students who have a problem with authority do not fare very well. Sometimes these personality types show improvement, but extreme cases of this type rarely improve. Opposed to these are the young men who take up the challenge of leadership. These cadets get a first-hand experience with truly valuable life-skills (the ones that count). It is truly impreesive how well some of these "teenagers" take to this task. In my opinion, this is one of the major advantages of the school. The faculty and staff really care about the academic success and wellfare of the cadets. The instructors understand that they are teaching to a broad spectrum of student types---some struggling, some gifted---and must be flexible in that regard. Its not an easy task, but we have a duty to look out for each of these young men and to prepare them for the future.

Penny Yanacheck

This is my son's first year at CMA, and there's such a difference in him. He's more confident and respectful, and he is working hard and succeeding. Camden Military Academy personnel have helped him in the classroom, on the athletic field, and in his everyday handling of life. We are excited to enter his high school years at CMA and see a wonderful future for him!

Terry Lascell

When Adam's mom passed away suddenly in February 2013 I went from uncle to father, for the first time, instantly. Through the transition Adam completed the eight grade at the public school he was attending and he maintained a C average. When freshman year began I decided he should try public high school and very quickly learned that it just wasn't for him. Our family consists of health care educators at the collegiate level and administrator at the hospital level. It can be assumed that quality is not only of high importance, but carefully identified. Public school was simply not providing Adam the structure and tools, at various levels, for him to apply himself and excel. The decision to enroll Adam at Camden Military Academy was not completely based upon behavior, but closely relative to the quality of education overall, et al; academically and socially. I am elated and often amazed at how much Adam has grown and benefited from Camden Military. He has gone from a shy, low self-esteem C/D student to Honor Roll and the Dean's List. His maturity level has excelled beyond his years and his accountability is remarkable. He has dreams and aspirations now, which he never had before. He plays sports, which he never had before. He now has characteristics within that has allowed him to find his own potentials. I highly recommend Camden Military Academy to parents (and students) who wish to see a transformation that is created by learning, structure, and from what I hear, a lot of fun!

Bradley Fitz

CMA is a great school no doubt, but don’t go if you don’t like stress CMA is a Reform school despite half the stuff they say. Most of the kids who come here are a delinquents.So if you do something simple as making a simple mistake . You will walk for your whole free time. The Tac officers who are supposedly here to help your kids will yell at them and punish them and make them walk for hours in the scorching heat with no water. So ask your self if 30,000 dollars a year is real worth it

Paige-Marie Davis

My son previously went to a local high school where he did well for part of his freshman year. After that, he determined that studying for tests was not his top priority and if he did his homework, he would most often forget to turn it in. He went from a good student to a poor student. The large class size worked against him. He needed to improve academically if he were to get into a good college. He was also not very respectful at home quite often talking back and not doing what was asked of him. Since my son began at CMA, he has dramatically turned his grades around. For the last two progress reports, he has been on the Honor’s List. He is determined to be on the Dean’s List and continues to work toward that. Teachers’ comments on the progress reports include “conscientious student” and “dependable student”. He joined the lacrosse team – both travel and home – and is currently a back-up to the main goalie. Besides his increased grades, he is learning how to take responsibility for his life. Daily tasks like laundry, living with a roommate, bunk inspection, room cleanliness, and homework deadlines are all a part of his routine now. It is now a pleasure for to speak with him again and laughter is now a big part of our weekly video calls.

Shane Thompson

My wife and I made the difficult decision to send our sixteen year old son to Camden Military Academy, midway through his sophomore year. We wrestled with the guilt of having someone else raise one of our children and an idea that we were somehow doing something wrong and were not good enough parents to figure it out. Ultimately, we came to the conclusion that good parents find solutions that help their children thrive and grow into productive, purpose-driven individuals. For our son, we have learned that Camden is exactly what he needs. Camden provides a structured and organized environment, which encourages accountability and rewards effort. Our son was failing three of his classes, prior to attending Camden. While he was in three honors classes, he had given up on school and was attached at the hip to his video games. He was to the point where he was framing arguments against completing high school and he thought he had learned everything there was to learn in life. Our son now has all A’s and is talking about his future as well as his goals. He likes all of his teachers, which is highly uncharacteristic. He completes and turns-in all of his homework assignments and performs well on his exams. When he visited home, he made his bed and folded his blanket on the foot of the bed. He is becoming a different person, in a very good way. Sending our son, to Camden Military Academy, is a sacrifice for us. It is a financial sacrifice as well as an emotional one. However, making the sacrifice for a couple of years now will help us, and him, avoid suffering the consequences, for doing nothing, for the rest of his life. I am proud of what our son is accomplishing now, and I can thank the leadership and staff, at Camden Military Academy, for providing the environment that seems as if it is tailored specifically for his personality type. ~ Shane Thompson

Briyson Tadlock (SHFA)

how much does it cost?

Tracy Bryne

The change in my son since enrolling at Camden Military Academy (CMA) in January of 2013 has been astonishing. Not only has he improved his grades and made the honor roll nearly every semester, he is much more responsible and his attitude is very positive. His self confidence has grown and I can honestly say it is because of the leadership opportunities he has been given at CMA. He will be company commander next year and he recognizes the hard work and determination required to achieve his goals. He is taking several college classes at CMA through the University of South Carolina and will graduate in May 2015 with a total of 24 college credits. Before he began attending CMA he had no goals but now he plans on attending the Citadel and joining the Marine Corps. I am so glad we selected CMA.

Harrison Cooke

CMA really helped me a lot. Before attending Camden, I was lazy and didn't really care about my grades. Weeks into arriving at CMA, I was bringing my grades up, learning responsibility, and what it was like to grow up and become a man. I am forever thankful to Camden Military Academy.

NJ Isaak

My son is presently in 10th grade and will be entering the 11th grade in the fall of 2018. During his time at Camden, my son has steadily progressed up through the ranks and has begun to take on leadership roles--both in his company and extra-curricular activities. It's been exciting to watch as, prior to Camden--in public school--my son was operating at a D/F level and the only extra-curricular activity he engaged in was skipping out. Mostly, my son was just showing up at school and hoping to get passed on to the next grade. At Camden, it's completely different. The structure and the all-boy atmosphere was exactly what my son needed. For him, it works. After two weeks, he was once again excited about attending school. His grades shot up to A's and B's and he's almost always on the Honor Roll. The biggest drawback to Camden is that my son is so far away from home. For our family, though, that's a sacrifice we're willing to make to give my him a good education and a future. Where he once figured that he'd just find a 'whatever' job upon graduation, now his plans are to apply to West Point. Thank you, Camden.

Dray Lloyd

I have been a teacher at Camden Military Academy for the past three years, and I have witnessed several transformations in young men while enrolled at the Academy. Many of the young men that come to CMA have fallen behind academically because the public school system has failed to give them the individual guidance and one on one instruction they have long desired. At Camden Military Academy, teachers have tutorial sessions factored into the everyday schedule as well as additional one on one opportunities for students before and after school. The formula we have implemented for academic success provides cadets with the tools to succeed, and I have seen students gain confidence in themselves and their ability because of the particular attention we pay to every student. At Camden Military Academy, we are instilling core values that provide a road map for success as our young men prepare to embark on their individual journeys in life. If a cadet immediately joins the work force, serves in the military or goes to college, we make sure he is prepared to face and overcome any obstacles. We teach the importance of time management, teamwork and loyalty through an athletic program that attempts (with a high rate of success) to give every cadet an opportunity to play a sport at the high school level. We challenge our cadets to accomplish things they may not have believed they had the capability to do prior to becoming a Camden Military Cadet, and time and time again, these young men answer the call. I have never been more satisfied in my professional career than I have been at Camden Military Academy. I truly feel every day that I have the chance to play an important role in helping young men realize their true potential. The entire staff is committed to providing these young men with knowledge, values, guidance, confidence and an overall positive attitude. Teachers, tactical officers and administrative staff all work together to provide our cadets every possible way to demonstrate their talents, and I am proud to be a part of Camden Military Academy.

Katie Dean

Camden has been an incredible resource for my brother. Thanks to the tremendous leadership from faculty and staff, coupled with the amazing fellowship opportunities he gets from living with young men his own age, I’ve seen my brother really come out of his shell in the past year. Since participating in clubs and sports and being given unique military opportunities not offered at traditional public schools, he has been exposed to new experiences and career paths that he would not have otherwise known about. He is greatly looking forward to pursuing his new military goals upon graduation. It may sound cliché, but Camden Military Academy has given my brother new hunger for a life he never would have known had it not been for CMA, and my family and I will always be grateful for that.

Estela Sandoval

I used to struggle with a confrontational, defiant and disrespectful boy at home, who was failing at school. Our relationship was very difficult and frustrating, attempting to discuss anything, such as responsibilities, was like walking on eggshells. After struggling for long time to come to an agreement we finally decided to try an alternative approach to his education. Thankfully we found Camden Military Academy, which has proven time and again to have been a great decision. Although I was initially drawn to their reputation as an educational leader, I have decided to continue my son's education here as I have witnessed his transformation into a successful student and a young man of honor and character. I attribute this great change to all the caring and hardworking staff who support him here, especially to the positive role model that his TAC officers provide. My son now has a positive attitude, a sense of accomplishment, and shows initiative with his responsibilities at home. He has developed into a young man with a healthy self-confidence and better standards for himself. Now we can enjoy harmony and peace at home together.

H Monty

I sent my son in the 8th grade. He wasn't struggling academically but I had lost control of my authority as his parent. He needed more structure and discipline. It was the scariest decision of my life. I didnt know anything about military academy, only what you see in the movies. My husband worked with a guy who went to Camden in the past and had recommended it. The guy he worked with was always well put together and was a hard worker. What did I have to lose? I wanted him to have some direction in life before he turned a certain age in could not longer get through to him. So, off we sent him. It was the hardest 2 weeks of my life. Slowly, I realized my son was at the perfect place for him. He has structure, discipline if necessary and good teachers. What struck me is the staff really care about these boys. The Tac officers have control over them. They have rules and they March to their orders. The cadets feel a sense of accomplishment as they get rewarded for their achievements. My sons chin was held high, he made Dean's list almost every quarter. He was proud of his achievements. When he went back home on furloughs, his old friends were quite immature compared to how much Dalton has grown up. I have the highest respect for Camden Military Academy. It has been the best thing for our son. We plan on sending him back this fall for his 2nd year. Lord willing, he will he there until graduation. If you are a mom or dad, looking at these reviews, you can trust me...if your son is struggling at home with respect and lack of ambition, Camden will turn him around. By the Grace of God, this school exists, tucked away in the middle of South Carolina, for the quality and building up the next generation of men.

Jorge McFarlane

Terrible "school" if that's what you want to call it...I highly un-recommend it

Craig Comrie

I was gonna put 0 stars but I guess that's not a option

indra kingston

This will be my son 3rd year attending CMA. I an excited to see what his freshman year and the next 4 yrs have in store for him. His growth academically, socially and emotionally is amazing. He's more confident, humble compassionate and respectful since attending CMA. His grades have improved tremendously and hes even managed to rank up. He's still a 13 year old with playful ways but I know when he walkes down the aisle his senior year I wont only be celebrating his academic achievements but his emotional and life journey from a boy to a man.

Rebecca Cacciato

When I knew my son needed a change, I began researching schools that would provide the structure my son so desperately needed along with the necessary support. I was leery to send him so far from home. So, I went to visit Camden while school was in session. Walking the campus, speaking to students, teachers, and staff reassured me as a mother that this could be a good home away from home for my son. Once our decision to enroll was made I was still not prepared for the transformation that I saw in my son. It has been a remarkable year. Not only did a happy confident young man return to my home, his academics have improved. Yet the biggest gain has been to see his desire to create and achieve his own goals both academically and on the sports field. I am truly grateful.

Nick Conte

Our son spent his first year in the 2014/2015 school year and totally shocked us with how much he fell into the daily routines and how much that has helped him get better grades and focus on what's truly important for helping make him a man. He has learned to tie a tie, shine his shoes, show respect and listen to orders. His grades are much higher than when he was at our public school and he is asking to return to the CMA again for the 2015/2016 school year. I wish the school had more money to update their aging facilities, but they are building a new housing unit on campus and they excel at what's important - academics.