In the heart of this idyllic town, two rural highways intersect, forming a junction that has been frequented by young men from around the world for nearly two centuries. These young men are destined for the esteemed Carson Long Military Institute, situated on 56 acres of land just north of the town. Carson Long, a traditional military school, has been facing the same challenges that boys have encountered since its establishment in 1837, while also adapting to the evolving issues of the modern era. Although it is one of the oldest boarding schools in the nation, it wasn’t until after the First World War in 1919 that the all-male institute introduced military training into its curriculum under the leadership of Edward L. Holman. Presently, the institute is under the guidance of Colonel Carson E.R. Holman, a veteran of the Army who served actively for four years and in the Reserves for 26 years.

Carson Long is designed as a classical military school, striving to harmonize the enduring needs of boys with the new obstacles presented by changing times.

"Holman, a paternal figure whose upright posture and purposeful stride commands the attention of the boys, states, "Carson Long’s primary focus is education. We aim to provide the best education possible. The military program serves to reinforce this goal by instilling self-discipline."

Each year, over 200 boys enroll at Carson Long. To document the experience of a private military education, Education Week visited the school during the 2002-03 academic year. Students ranging from 6th to 12th grade transfer from their public school systems to Carson Long for various reasons, such as struggling academically or being influenced by negative peer groups. For some, the absence of their parents deprived them of a proper understanding of respect for authority and essential life skills. Others come to New Bloomfield with the intention of honing their leadership abilities and building self-confidence. And then there are those who are simply drawn to the military.

"Holman, 73 years old, affirms, "Ninety-nine point five percent of our students are here to receive a better education or improve their grades. Parents rely on us to guide their children through high school and prepare them for college." Carson Long is founded on the belief that a military education should be accessible to all. Although the annual tuition fee of $12,900 is significant, it is considerably lower than that of most other military schools, which makes the institution notably inclusive.

Holman remarks, "We completely embrace Abe Lincoln’s philosophy that ‘God loves the average man because he made so many of them’. We have always striven to provide a high-quality education for average children from families with an average income. Moreover, we strive to inspire these average boys to exceed expectations." In general, military schools are eager to clarify that they are not facilities where troubled youths are dumped. Many of the individuals who would have been accepted into military schools in the past are now directed to boot-camp-style schools or other secure institutions. Carson Long, along with most other military schools, does not accept candidates who have been expelled from their previous schools, have police records, or exhibit behavioral or psychological disorders. Furthermore, those applying to Carson Long must possess a genuine desire to attend the school.

Although some military schools have become coeducational due to declining enrollments, Carson Long has maintained its policy of exclusively admitting boys. School officials assert that Carson Long has always been able to fill its seats and highlight the considerable expenses associated with constructing facilities to accommodate girls. Additionally, both faculty members and alumni firmly believe that the presence of girls would prove to be a distraction that the boys do not require.

A majority of Carson Long graduates proceed to college. In the graduating class of 2002, which was smaller than usual with only 14 seniors, all of them went on to college. Typically, around 85 percent of a graduating class at Carson Long pursues higher education.

Holman emphatically states, "We are not a military training ground. Our school is primarily focused on college preparation."

Many of the teachers at Carson Long Academy, except for four out of the twenty-four, are male and have families. They live in apartments that are connected to the dormitories. Although only four of them have military experience, they maintain their military titles, while the other teachers start off as "lieutenants". Craig Martel, a health and science teacher, compares the experience of teaching at Carson Long to having a family of 200. He and his wife live in an apartment connected to the Barracks, where the youngest cadets reside. Martel explains that being a teacher at Carson Long is like being a mom and dad to the cadets for seven months. They act as surrogate parents to the high school students and have the opportunity to be as involved in their lives as they want. In return for overseeing the dorms, the teachers receive free accommodations.

The popularity of military schools has fluctuated over time. When World War II began and the Great Depression ended, there was a surge in the number of military schools. However, public opinion turned against them during the Vietnam era, leading to the closure of many military schools. Out of the more than 900 military schools that existed between 1783 and 1914, only around 40 remain today.

There is speculation about the future of precollegiate military schooling and its connection to the charter school movement. Military day schools are emerging as public school charters in Chicago and Oakland, California. In Prince George’s County, Maryland, a regular public military school opened recently and has become so popular that there is a waiting list for students outside the attendance zone. However, schools like Carson Long emphasize that the training provided at day schools is typically only enforced during the few hours students spend on campus.

Colonel Holman, the head of Carson Long Academy, is not concerned about the future of his institution. He believes as long as parents continue to value education, there will always be a demand for military schools like Carson Long.