These cadets are not in Algiers, New Orleans for basic training — they’re attending another day of school at the New Orleans Military & Maritime Academy (NOMMA), where participation in junior ROTC is required and a vital component of daily life.
During their days, the cadets learn about leadership, global awareness and marksmanship from retired marines. While many other students are competing to become homecoming king, these students are competing to achieve higher military rank and facing off in platoons for battles over physical training prowess.
But the cadets’ days are not limited to JROTC activities; they spend most of their time studying math, English, science, and history so they’ll be prepared to take on any challenges they face — starting with the ACT.
“Our mission is to prepare students for success after high school, whether they're going to college or going into some other career or the military,” the school’s principal, Dr. Cecilia Garcia, explained.
NOMMA, which opened five years ago with support from the Walton Family Foundation, was granted a rare 10-year charter extension last week by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education based on its high academic achievement (as measured by students' course progress, ACT scores, and graduation rate).
Last year was the school’s first graduating class, and all but two of the 75 students graduated on time, according to Garcia. Forty-five of those students have enrolled in college, about a dozen went on to military academies, and others are either working for a family business or have taken off a semester and are planning to go to college.
Thousands of schools offer JROTC as an elective course, but it is rare that students are required to enroll. NOMMA was the first school in Louisiana to follow this model. The principal — who has decades of experience in school leadership and school turnarounds — says JROTC contributes to a school culture based on respect, service and focus on academic studies.
“We’re creating a school that hasn't existed before,” Garcia said. “When you can impact the lives of a child and you can create a school that does that, it’s very rewarding.”
