Question(s) about Camden Military Academy

Question

Has anyone every attended or have a family member who has attended? Can you tell me a little bit about their experience? My nephew is wanting to attend there thru high school...His parents are not so sure..I'm all for it if that is what a 15 yr old wants to do...

thanks TN

Originally posted on Fighting Gamecocks Forum by TN--Gamecock.

Answer 1

Better than public school is about all I know.

Then again, anything is better than public school at this point.

Originally posted on Fighting Gamecocks Forum by BleedsGarnett.

Answer 2

There is nothing wrong with public schools.

Originally posted on Fighting Gamecocks Forum by crazyabe.

Answer 3

All the private schools where I grew up were 'send your just expelled kid here so they dont lose a year' schools.

I do have to say I find it really odd that a 15 year old would want to impose that on himself.

Originally posted on Fighting Gamecocks Forum by Cool Hand Cock.

Answer 4

Yes and no. If you're in an area where incomes are high, single family housing is dominanat and homes average $250k and above and the vast majority of parents have college/professional degrees, then, yes, generally speaking, you can count on a pretty good public school system. However, if you live in a poor area, with home valuations averaging under 100k, and a lower-than-state-or-national-average home ownership, and with a high percantage of free lunch kids, beware, better check out that state's grading system for schools. You're likely to see a failing grade at all levels of the public schools for that area. That's life.

Originally posted on Fighting Gamecocks Forum by 67gamecock.

Answer 5

I went there for two years and would not take anything for that experience. The people I met there from all over the world that I still stay in touch with. Most of them have gone on to do very well in life and I have used those connections to help me along the way.There is just something about a connection with people who go through something together that others don't understand that forms a different kind of bond. One of those people was my football coach Steve Kazor who went on to coach at Texas and to the Dallas Cowboys,Detroit Lions,and the Chicago bears.

This post was edited on 2/22 1:28 PM by swatterac

Originally posted on Fighting Gamecocks Forum by swatterac.

Answer 6

I don't think you can generalize like that. But you really do need to look carefully at individual public schools and the programs they offer. Many schools offer magnet programs that provide an education equal or better than what the kids would get at the priciest private schools. But your kid has to be accepted into the program and you have to feel comfortable with the overall school environment.

Originally posted on Fighting Gamecocks Forum by 76gintcock.

Answer 7

I graduated from Riverside High School, and at the time it was a pretty good school.

It still doesn't compare to the education my children are getting in a Private school. I was always in the top 20% of the class, and I would be a year behind where my kids are now.

They are also better disciplinarians than the public school system, and usually weed out trouble makers very quick presenting a more viable learning atmosphere than a public setting which has to take everyone.

Originally posted on Fighting Gamecocks Forum by BleedsGarnett.

Answer 8

A couple I knew were having trouble with their son when he was in middle school. This was a good, loving family. He was fairly rebellious and had some attitude problems in school that was causing problems at school and at home.

They put him at Camden Military and while I don't know specifics, I've heard through the grapevine that he greatly improved over the year or two he was there.

I guess it depends on what the young man needs from a school.

Originally posted on Fighting Gamecocks Forum by Rollerdude123.

Answer 9

True- but there are some outstanding public schools- and some that aren't so outstanding. Some oustanding private schools- and some that aren't so outstanding.


Every child deserves a safe school and parents shouldn't put up with ones that aren't. However, I believe parents focus too much on how "great" a school happens to be or how "great" all the programs are that they offer.

If kids work reasonably hard, and stay out of trouble, and gets involved in positive development programs while in school (band, athletics, chorus, orchestra, foreign language clubs, etc) they will be fine regardless of the school they attend.

I think the parents are usually the root of the problems with a lot of kids: Driving their kids to acheive at all costs, trying to keep up with the neighbors, etc.

This post was edited on 2/22 4:43 PM by Rollerdude123

Originally posted on Fighting Gamecocks Forum by Rollerdude123.

Answer 10

I think Apathy and Culture are the biggest problems, but that's just me.

Originally posted on Fighting Gamecocks Forum by BleedsGarnett.

Answer 11

You completely left out the upper middle class. Do you work for the federal government?

Originally posted on Fighting Gamecocks Forum by JeffTweedyFan.

Answer 12

I've got a friend that put her only son there this year and he seems to be excelling from all accounts.

Originally posted on Fighting Gamecocks Forum by Rock Hill Cock.

Answer 13

Thanks for the responses...My newphew lives in Virginia Beach at Beach Borough...no they are upper middle class...her income is in the low 6 figures...im guessing around 100K....

According to my sis, his grades are not what they should be and she said she is spending a fortune on tutors...

He could move down to my folks and go to Byrnes High (my alma mater) culture shock from the hustle and bustle of VA BEACH ..he seems to be into skate boarding, video games, hanging out at the boardwalk with his friends...not exactly the lifestyle he would get in Greer SC...

I remember having a great experience in high school with academics, athletics, and just hanging out at Haywood mall on weekends...my life was simple...kids today with all the technology, imo, makes life complex...

I hope he goes to Camden...if it will help him get into college...we are a long line of Carolina Grads so i hope he will get to experience that as well...

This post was edited on 2/22 7:48 PM by TN--Gamecock

Originally posted on Fighting Gamecocks Forum by TN--Gamecock.

Answer 14

I don't get the federal government dig at all. What the heck to you mean?

Originally posted on Fighting Gamecocks Forum by 76gintcock.

Answer 15

there. The faculty is pretty strong.

When I was in high school, CMA didn't have the best reputation, but it has changed a LOT. My daughter dated a young man who went there from 9-12th grade and excelled.

Your nephew needs to be in a military frame of mind before he goes, though. If he WANTS to go, I'd say go for it. And tell him to get involved with all of the activities. That helps.

As to the blocked person below, I resent your casting aspersions on the local high school, my alma mater and the place I taught for 35 years, or any other public school that is trying hard to educate the students we are sent. Hate that kind of crap. :(

Originally posted on Fighting Gamecocks Forum by chick75.

Answer 16

Culture? yes - that's a problem.

There is a large middle ground in between Apathy and driving your kids at all costs.

I went to USC for college. If my parents were solely focused on the best possible education for me, I'd have been in the Ivy League or somewhere like Vandy, UVA, or Duke. But I ended up at USC because my parents knew I'd work hard, and do well regardless of the name of the school.

Originally posted on Fighting Gamecocks Forum by Rollerdude123.

Answer 17

I'm a CMA alum that attended during my junior and senior years. I still cherish the experience because the school is geared toward academic performance. Three hours of studies are mandated at night (no radio or television) and the classes are longer. Many students who were bad or simply unmotivated before coming to Camden Military got the positive encouragement they needed to excel in their class work.

Going through the military format with a diverse student body also builds discipline and camaraderie. I can't emphasize that enough.

Originally posted on Fighting Gamecocks Forum by Cap'n Crower.