Southern Preparatory Academy

Our son was crushed by online school during covid. Failed every class. Became incredibly unmotivated and got stuck. He just couldn’t get unstuck. Was sitting in a lot of shame from failing. Couldn’t turn away from the screen on his phone and mostly refused to get out of bed and go to school. His dad took him to visit Southern Prep and our son bravely said yes to going. He knew it would be a pathway to change bad habits - sleeping, excess technology usage and not completing school work. To date, he played on the football team and soccer team (is not a sports guy but loved participating) was, promoted to company commander in one year, got halfway thru getting his pilots license (will finish this summer), graduated with 2 college credits and made good friends at southern prep. He was also accepted to his dream aerospace college. We honestly can’t believe the difference in his confidence and motivation to succeed. The way he speaks and carries himself is so different. Nothing we could have done for him. He did this work by himself. Our son has always hated the mundane. Southern Prep is anything but mundane. He now knows now he can do hard things. He has thrived in this challenge. We are so grateful for this school and the opportunity to enroll. The people here genuinely care. They want nothing but to see their boys “handle business”. We would actually now consider this for our younger boys. SPA works to create men not wimpy boys who can’t get off video games and will forever live in their parents basement. The facilities and food aren’t great but that’s ok.... it will make them appreciate home that much more. The staff might yell at them a lot which I don’t care for but some boys prob need to be yelled at. And better there than in my house. Boys here are able to be a boys while growing into a man. Not addicted to screens. Playing outside and being free to be boys/young men. If you yelled at your son today for not getting out of bed, or turning off the video games and don’t know what to do next, call Jennifer and go for a visit. Quit enabling them at home.... trust me, I did it for too many years. Southern Prep will make your boy a man.

I went to LWMA in the same years that two gentleman who have left bad comments about hazing and other stuff like fighting. I was small and not that tough when I got there but absolutely nothing happened to me like that. I learned so much about life and how to be a person that people would look up to and how to be a leader and live life responsibly. I was there with Col. Bill Jenertte who, even after I Graduated stayed in contact and anytime I was in a fork in the road after I graduated I could call him and if he didn’t answer he would call me back or if he was busy another staff member would call me back and they all remember their students. They saved my life. I graduated as the Battalion Commander and I started there like everyone else, a scrub. I went through leadership trading and left at the top of the ranks. I loved that place so much some weekends when we had the opportunity to go home for open weekend I would choose to stay on campus. And I’m from Destin Florida where it’s warm and I could go on my dads boat and jet skis and have a great weekend but LWMA became a family to me too that some weekends I would want to stay there. If I could say one thing with 100% certainty is that if I never attended LWMA I honestly know I wouldn’t of been able to have the life I have now and I sure wouldn’t know how to live life with character. I live by a cadet code. That is
To be faithful, honest, and sincere in every act and purpose and to know honorable failure is better than success by unfairness or cheating.

That cadet code has made it possible to now own a house and own two charter boats and I also have a 500 Ton captains license. I have a baby on the way and I was just telling my wife that I would love to drive up there this year to visit the campus.

Long story short: Every teenager should go because it would save their lives and the education they would get with the sports and the more one on one with teachers can not compare to any other school in America. I am forever greatful to LWMA. And bad reviews left on LWMA is from kids that probably never had the mindset to become a better person

Growing up “local” we all knew of Lyman Ward Military Academy. Our girlfriends swooned over the sharply uniformed cadets at the theater on Friday nights. Best to go on Saturday night! Or perhaps it was our parents telling us they were looking into it! All of my “local” buddies will understand that. Well friends, I finally made it. My dad would be so proud! Everyday I go to the beautiful campus of The Southern Preparatory Academy. It’s not at all the place I pictured when dad threatened. As a man, it is a place I wish I had experienced in my youth. As a father, it is a place I wish my son could have experienced. The keys to success exist in this place; delivered by some of the finest people I’ve ever known. I consider my part of this mission a privilege and I wish EVERY American male had the opportunity to experience Southern Prep.

Such a great, positive environment for young men! I can't say enough about the staff at Southern Prep. They genuinely love these boys and want the best for them! I continue to see great things happening on campus... i know these things wouldn't be possible without the leadership and staff at Southern Prep. Their dedication to Southern Prep and these young men doesn't go unnoticed.

There is simply no institution anywhere that cares as much about the development of young men as Southern Preparatory Academy. The staff are 110% dedicated to the success of the cadets. I can confidently say that Southern Prep changed my son's life, and he will never forget the valuable lessons he has learned.