ST. GEORGE — St. George Academy’s motto is uncomplicated — “aim higher,” but for many, the road to reaching life’s potential often requires discipline, drive, a little luck and a helping hand along the way.
This school year, St. George Academy – a public charter school authorized to teach grades eighth-12th with a focus on college preparatory – is bringing on board a new U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program in collaboration with the Utah Military Academy Foundation.
As part of the military academy experience, the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps offers students an immersive experience in leadership development, teamwork and citizenship. Students will cultivate essential life skills through classroom instruction, physical training and community service. Currently, there are approximately 20 students enrolled in the program, with enough space to add 30 more students to the cadet ranks.
The thought process behind the changes at the academy is to provide students with a broader set of course offerings that build upon the academic success of the past, said Christy Hall, St. George Academy executive director.
“St. George Academy emphasizes accelerated and rigorous educational experiences while providing a safe and inclusive learning environment,” Hall said. “We provide personalized support by collaborating with students, families, and faculty to develop and implement specialized goals that facilitate lifelong learning.”
To meet this goal, the school has added a full military program based on the Utah Military Academy model.
“Although our program is Army-based, it’s more than just a junior ROTC class; it is an entire program that encompasses several disciplines,” Hall said.
Courses include
Marksmanship
Under the guidance of skilled instructors, students will master the art of marksmanship, enhancing focus, patience and attention to detail.
Aviation
Students will explore the world of flight, learning about aerodynamics, navigation and aviation safety. Through hands-on experiences and simulator training, they will gain a deeper understanding of the principles of aviation and prepare for potential future careers in the field.
Drones
Students will learn about drone technology, flight operations and aerial photography. They will be able to develop piloting skills and gain insights into the growing field of drone applications across various industries.
Rangers
Students who want to push themselves to be the best physically and mentally find themselves drawn to the Ranger team – a physical fitness-based competition team. Competitions can have specific requirements but generally include physical fitness, orienteering and cross-country running.
Coaches select the teams based on attitude, academics and ability. At a minimum, cadets perform push-ups, sit-ups and run at least 3.1 miles. The Ranger team requires cadets to follow directions, have a positive attitude and desire to excel.
Color Guard
The Color Guard team presents the national/state/school flags at school and community functions. Only cadets with exemplary behavior, outstanding uniform and personal appearance standards, and a thorough knowledge of drills and ceremonies will be selected.
Drill Team
This team performs in state and national drill competitions and demonstrations. Team practices are conducted during drill class. Before-school and after-school practices are sometimes needed to prepare for competitions.
“Our collaboration with the Utah Military Academy gives our students opportunities for personal growth, leadership, citizenship and career pathways that align with our rigorous academic program,” Hall said. “This is the beginning, and we are very excited to see it taking shape.”
The U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps is one of the largest character development and citizenship programs for youth in the world. The U.S. Army’s JROTC program currently operates in more than 1,700 public and private high schools, military institutions, and correctional centers throughout the United States and overseas.
The JROTC faculty is led by nearly 4,000 instructors who are retired from active duty, reserve duty or National Guard Army service. According to a 2020 Congressional Research Service report, 552,990 students were active in 3,432 units across the U.S. and Department of Defense schools overseas.
Hall said the addition of an Army JROTC is the first step in a school-wide makeover.
“We are taking our school and shifting into more career pathways,” Hall said. A logical next step, she added, is offering a path to be successful in the medical field. … The goal is to partner with our local hospitals – especially the VA hospital – to allow our students access to real internships.”
The slate of other new programs planned for St. George Academy also includes engineering with its emphasis on mathematics and scientific skills as well as practical knowledge of computing software, critical thinking and analysis, and communication and collaboration with other students.
St. George Academy officials say their AJROTC program is not about creating a military force from its middle and high school students but “is part of our mission to provide students with more advanced educational challenges to pursue their academic and life goals.”
Sgt. Brandon Draper, St. George Academy JROTC instructor, said the program is designed to build a culture of professionalism and leadership within the students who enroll.
“The structure gives kids a solid foundation,” Draper said. “They learn principles. They learn to put others before themselves. They learn empathy. The students who drop out of our program many times do not want to make the sacrifices we ask them to make, and the kids who succeed know this is something worth doing.”
Part of the Junior ROTC creed is to acknowledge the role their family, their country, their school and the corps of cadets play in their quest to be a leader of men/women. Part of that is to give back to the community by being involved, Draper said.
“The ultimate goal of my job is to be a positive influence on the cadets,” Draper said. “A lot of the kids that come in need structure in their life. They need a sense of purpose. I tell them they will be accountable to others their whole life, but the most important person to be accountable to now is their self.
“This is where the battle has to start. If they learn how to be accountable to themself, they can be accountable for others and learn to become a leader. Whether it’s in the military, corporate America or college, this is something that they will use for the rest of their lives.”
While challenging and rewarding, life in JROTC is not all peaches and cream, Draper said, adding that it takes dedication, strength of character and a commitment to others. By providing values, skills, education and discipline through structure and the esprit de corps of the military model, students are given the keys to success.
Both Amanda Smith and her son, Benny DeSilva, said they believe the eighth grader has what it takes as a first-year cadet.
“Benny is a fantastic kid,” Smith said. “He’s always willing to help, and he’s 13 years old going on 30 … always comfortable around everyone. So far, he’s loving it. It’s his favorite class in school, and it’s what he wants to model his life around at this point.”
DeSilva, who does “love it all,” plans on using what he will learn in JROTC as a stepping stone to his future career path in the military.
“My plan is to graduate from high school, then attend the U.S. Naval Academy,” DeSilva said. “Once I graduate from the Naval Academy, I want to serve five to 10 years, or longer, in the U.S. Marine Corps.”
Unsure of what he’d like to do in the military, he’s leaning toward commanding ground troops.
Approximately 20% of Junior ROTC participants go on to join the military. Looking at student outcomes, a 2017 study conducted by The Rand Corp., a nonprofit think tank, noted several positive effects of JROTC participation.
According to the report: “Studies that examined academic outcomes found consistently positive associations between grade point average and JROTC participation. JROTC participation was also consistently associated with lower dropout rates and improved attendance.”
Considering nonacademic benefits, Rand said JROTC programs provide students with a sense of community, particularly for students not involved in other activities. There are also opportunities to compete for JROTC scholarships and attend service academies.
For more information, call St. George Academy at 435-319-0105.
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