Exploring St. John’s Northwestern Academies: A Premier Military Boarding School with Global Vision

St. John's Northwestern Academies

Founded in 1884, St. John's Northwestern Academies is renowned for its unique educational philosophy and high-quality teaching resources, providing an outstanding platform for students from around the world to grow and succeed. The school is located in the charming and vibrant town of Delafield, Wisconsin.

As the eighth stop on the GE Spring 2025 FAM Trip, we arrived at the beautiful St. John's Northwestern Academies. Driving through the warm and welcoming town, we immediately felt how convenient life around the school is. Nestled within a picturesque community, the campus boasts stunning grounds with historic architecture exuding classical beauty, while the interiors feature modern renovations and facilities.

Upon entering the campus, we were instantly captivated by the expansive, lush green lawns.

At the school entrance, we were warmly welcomed by the student band performing live — a truly ceremonial and heartfelt reception that reflected the school's hospitality toward visitors.

Guided by the school’s reception staff, we began our visit in the school dining hall. Here, faculty, advisors, and the GE visiting team introduced themselves and exchanged greetings.

Flags representing various U.S. states and countries adorned the dining hall walls, symbolizing the school’s international student body. International students hail from countries including Mexico, China, Vietnam, Brazil, Japan, and the Czech Republic.

Flanking the dining hall are various offices, including the headmaster’s office. The school staff shared key information about St. John's Northwestern Academies.

With a long-standing history, the school provides a safe learning environment and secure living conditions for all students. The campus includes supervised dormitories and evening study halls. Students benefit from supportive peers and abundant academic and mentoring resources, maintaining a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1. Originally an all-boys school, St. John's Northwestern began admitting female students in 2018 and currently has 38 girls enrolled. The school offers both 7-day and 5-day boarding options.

Student Organizations and Daily Management

The student body is organized following a military tradition into companies (Corps), each typically led by senior students (primarily seniors with one junior). These companies—such as Apple Company, Google Company, and King Company—are mixed groups. King Company is unique in excluding 7th and 8th graders and includes high school juniors and seniors, as well as female students. Many American students in these companies are interested in pursuing military service.

Daily routine includes uniform inspections on non-training days to maintain students' morale and readiness for competition seasons.

1. New Student Training

• Training Schedule and Process:

  
  

  Before the academic year starts at the end of August, new students (including returning juniors and seniors) undergo a 4-day intensive orientation focused on status adjustment and team building.

• Daily Training:

  
  

  Early in the semester, students engage in rigorous training to master standardized procedures. Freshmen often perform poorly initially but improve through senior-led demonstrations. Last spring’s family weekend parade showed a notable improvement in skill levels.

• Team Competition System:

  
  

  Throughout the year, companies compete across various dimensions: marching drills, dormitory organization, uniform standards, academic achievement, and behavioral conduct. The top-performing company earns the “Victory Cup,” a tradition upheld for decades. Outstanding squads, like the ceremonial saber unit, receive special honors.

2. Curriculum and Competition System

• JROTC Program:

  
  

  All students participate in the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC), a national-level program covering grades 9 through 12 that emphasizes military theory and skills.

• Competitions:

  
  

  Students compete in national drill team contests, physical and teamwork challenges with the “Raiders” team, marksmanship contests, and more. The “Raiders” program is among the strongest in the Midwest. The school has also recently established a robotics team competing regionally and nationally.

3. Transfer Student Support

• Transfer students entering mid-year (e.g., January) complete a 5-day intensive orientation covering uniform wear, dormitory rules, drill movements, and general knowledge. Mentors or advisors provide one-on-one guidance, and company and battalion leaders assess their progress.

• New students joining in August receive a 4-day orientation to help them integrate smoothly, along with returning students' status adjustment.

After the introduction, we strolled through the campus.

Walking ahead, we saw the school's iconic "Stone Lighthouse." Founded in 1884 by Episcopal priest Sidney Smith (who passed in 1923), students later built the lighthouse from stone themselves. Shaped like a flame with a light atop, it symbolizes the school's core values of “Active Participation,” “Perseverance,” and “Never Giving Up.” Students show respect by saluting the lighthouse as they pass.

Next to the lighthouse is the Victory Memorial Chapel, whose cornerstone was laid on November 11, 1920 (the WWI Armistice Day), completed in 1926. Built from local gravel stone, the chapel is grand and solemn inside.

We toured various classrooms where every class had a teacher’s office, and class sizes were small, maintaining the 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio for personalized support.

We participated in a session led by the college counselor to learn about daily schedules and how students can better organize their studies based on teacher guidance. College counseling begins in grade 11, assisting with course selection, application preparation, and personal essay writing to highlight each student's uniqueness and strengthen their competitiveness. The military environment cultivates strong leadership, recognized by universities nationwide.

Students apply to universities across the U.S. and Europe (including the UK, Germany, Spain, and Mexico). International students may apply to service academies, although admission quotas depend on agreements between their home countries and the U.S. government. The school also offers college and career planning classes, using Holland’s vocational interest assessments to help students understand their strengths and career paths. SAT/ACT test prep is available.

While most students do not pursue military careers, a few seniors annually enter ROTC programs via university scholarships.

Examples:

Last year, three students received Army ROTC scholarships—two to Marquette University (three-year scholarships) and one to the University of Wisconsin–Madison, who will become an Army lieutenant upon graduation. Two other students joined ROTC as “walk-on” cadets without scholarships.

On the university admission wall outside classrooms, acceptance letters from prestigious schools, including service academies and top 50 U.S. universities, are proudly displayed.

Featured Programs

1. Dual Enrollment

   
   

   St. John's Northwestern partners with the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and Marquette University to offer students college-level courses during high school for credit. This significantly reduces tuition costs (e.g., a 3-credit course costs $300 at SJN versus around $450 at public universities and over $2500 at private schools), allowing students to complete part of their freshman year early and fulfill general education requirements. Credits are transferable to other universities. Students can also opt for these as honors courses.

2. Flight Program

   
   

   The aviation course covers the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed for ground school exams, including flight simulation and landing practice. Students receive free one-on-one coaching to accelerate learning. The curriculum integrates STEM subjects such as physics and math. Students who pass the FAA Private Pilot Knowledge Test receive an “A” grade. After about 10 hours of training, students can pilot independently but must complete 40 hours of flight instruction before the official flight exam. The program is taught by certified flight instructors from Wisconsin Aviation.

   
   

   

3. Robotics and Engineering

   
   

   Robotics education begins in 8th grade with Edison and Lego kits covering programming, mobility, and sensors. High school students use the VEX Robotics system and compete locally from early in the academic year until February or March.

   
   

   

   
   

   Engineering classes teach foundational concepts, project design cycles, and CAT software, culminating in 3D-printed projects. Two new courses—Biochemical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering—are planned for this year.

   
   

   

   

   

   
   

   AI tools assist students in coding, requiring them to understand underlying principles while leveraging AI for programming support.

   
   

   Interdisciplinary learning includes 3D printing for history projects, such as replicas of Pearl Harbor battleships.

   
   

   The school also runs a drone program with applications in agriculture, military, and firefighting.

   
   

After classroom tours, we visited dormitories. The majority of the approximately 270 students are boys (235) with 35 girls, including about 35 day students. Most students board full-time; some opt for 5-day boarding. Male and female students have separate dorms with double rooms featuring high ceilings, warm winters, and cool summers. Students may personalize some room items like calendars but cannot put up posters. Hallways have security cameras, and dorms provide secure storage for valuables.

Dorms remain open during Christmas, Thanksgiving, and spring breaks. For spring break, some students stay on campus for an additional fee. Weekends often feature educational trips. Over recent years, the school has reduced mandatory military activities on weekends, adding more recreational options and allowing students to leave campus for activities. Excessive electronic use results in confiscation and educational interventions.

The dormitory building includes a quiet study center with ample seating and a small library for reading and self-study.

Next, we visited the spacious indoor gymnasium, fully equipped with sports facilities. The second floor houses a fitness center open for students during their free time. St. John's Northwestern actively arranges various activities to meet students' exercise needs.

Finally, we returned to the dining hall for lunch, where a wide variety of foods were available, including various noodles, meat dishes, salads, and fruits.

This visit to St. John's Northwestern Academies deeply impressed us with the unique charm of this century-old military school. The blend of classical and modern campus environments, alongside a rigorous yet dynamic military education system, creates an exceptional atmosphere. The school not only provides quality academic and living support but also fosters leadership and responsibility. Its rich specialty programs and attentive college counseling embody a comprehensive and student-centered educational philosophy.

As an international school, St. John's Northwestern embraces cultural diversity and emphasizes individual development. Whether students aspire to military careers or top-tier universities, they can find a path for growth here.