The academy was founded by ColonelThomas A. Davis as the Davis Military Academy on November 23, 1910. It was originally located in the Pacific Beach neighborhood of San Diego, California.[2] In 1936, the academy moved to Carlsbad, California, and was renamed the San Diego Army and Navy Academy. In 1944, "San Diego" was dropped from the name. Army and Navy Academy was notably led by William Currier Atkinson, who served as the academy's president for fifty years.[3]
Organization
Army and Navy Academy's president is Major General Peggy Combs, who previously served as the Commanding General for U.S. Army Cadet Command.[4] The academy is governed by a board of trustees composed of philanthropists, alumni, and current and past parents.[5] The school's academic program is managed by the dean of academics and its Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) program is administered by the Senior Army Instructor.
Academically, the school is organized into a middle school (grades 7 & 8) and a high school (grades 9–12).[6] Its high school academic program conforms to a college preparatory curriculum that follows the University of California A-G requirements for graduation.[7] The academy's instructional philosophy is built around a single-gender educational model targeted toward the educational needs of boys.[8]
Outside of classes, Cadets report to TAC (trainer, advisor, coach) Officers.[9] TAC Officers are responsible for mentoring and educating Cadets in the afternoons and evenings, and serve as residential life officers in the academy's seven residential halls. Each TAC Officer oversees a company in the school's Army-style battalion. Cadets are assigned to roommates based on shared interests. Most rooms on campus are occupied by two Cadets, but some larger dormitories feature three-occupant rooms.
The academy participates in California Interscholastic Federation sports and has competitive teams that include surf, wrestling, golf, football, lacrosse, swim, track and field, basketball, and baseball.[10]
Notable programs
All Cadets participate in JROTC leadership courses in addition to their normal academic class schedule.[11] The JROTC program consists of four levels of Leadership Education Training (LET) instruction. Cadets earn rank based on their academic and disciplinary performance, as well as regular assessments through the JROTC program. Top Cadet leadership positions are determined through the Leadership Candidate Course (LCC), an overnight excursion involving a variety of physical and mental challenges for prospective leaders. After LCC has ended, a selection committee meets to decide who best fits each position. Committee members include the academy president, senior army instructor, commandant of cadets, JROTC instructors, faculty leaders, and academic counselors.
New students enter as "New Cadets" and have no rank. New Cadets are expected to undergo basic training on Academy history and professional knowledge, and must additionally complete several their first parade and military review, before becoming a full member of the Corps of Cadets.
Army and Navy Academy's drill team is nationally recognized as one of the best high school drill teams in the nation.[12]
