Porterville Unified will open military academy for 2018/2019 school year

PORTERVILLE, Calif. (KFSN) -- Starting next month, crews will begin converting space inside a Porterville Unified School District building into labs and classrooms, for their first military academy.

It's slated to open for the 2018/2019 school year.

District Spokesman Jason Pommier says the academy, which will cost $11.3 million, will be part of the district's Pathways Program, which focuses on getting students college and career ready.

"(It's) the open choice pathways that we have, that model, but utilizing the military model leadership format," Pommier said. "So some people have thought that this was going to be boot camp and that is

definitely not the case here."

There will be military teachers, but students do not have to enlist after graduating. Courses offered include group dynamics, principles of fitness, and leadership philosophy. Pommier says the main goal is to create leaders, whether it be in business or the community at large.

The district will also be building a new $6.6 million gym next door. The existing charter high school and adult school will also have access to that gym.

"It's going to be right here on Highway 65, so it's going to be something that people, on a day to day basis, are going to be able to drive by and see," Pommier said. "And we think it's going to be a nice addition to Porterville Unified School District."

Officials say they already have 100 students enrolled for the academy's first year. Right now, they're only taking students grades seven through nine.

More information available here.