California Military Institute, located in Perris, California, is a public, co-educational school whose environment is similar that of the military — highly structured and programmed toward both personal and team development. The California Military Institute (CMI) serves the city of Perris, California and surrounding Inland Empire communities of Riverside, San Diego, Orange and Imperial counties. The combination of intensive high quality learning opportunities with the rigorous and demanding regimen of self-discipline demanded in a military environment insures that the uniqueness of our program will
continue. CMI cadets are continuing in the tradition of academic excellence, cadet leadership, patriotism, and community service. As a public charter school, CMI provides a military environment without the boot camp atmosphere.

Student Demographics

As a public school, the California Military Institute has no enrollment restriction beyond age and behavior. Boys and girls of all colors, creeds or religions are welcome within its doors. The majority of the students attending CMI are of Hispanic heritage.

Military Impact

Students are under no obligation to enter military service after graduation from this secondary school. Students must wear military uniforms, but parents are not obligated to purchase them. Most outer wear is provided at no cost. If highly polished or appropriate dress shoes are desired, that cost is absorbed by parents.

Drills, exercises, training and displays for audiences are part of military life, and those functions do find their way into student life. The time and effort these activities take are credited against either physical education credits for graduation or vocational educational credits.

Admission

The California Military Academy has no special admissions requirements or procedures. Submit complete transcripts and a current and complete shot record before the next class year’s deadline, and if there’s a spot available, it’s a “first come, first serve” acceptance policy.

If athletics are on the horizon, though, you will also need to submit the results of a complete medical physical and a sports-related insurance policy to the school before student participation outside a Physical Education class — schools sports teams — will be considered.

Athletics

Football, soccer, baseball, softball and other competitive sports are available for team or individual participation.

How We Operate

CMI operates on the values of honor, courage and commitment as detailed in the Statement of Corps Values. CMI further believes that every cadet and recruit has within themselves the potential for leadership and service that will benefit our society as a whole. Activities and training opportunities at CMI focus on developing our cadets as leaders who excel at all levels of responsibility. First and foremost among the skills of being a good leader is being a good follower and CMI recognizes the value of both follower and leader.

Community service is one of the hallmarks of CMI both as a means of creating a positive identity and recognition in the community, but also as a way of developing in our future leaders an understanding of the importance of service. Cadets and recruits serve their communities in a wide variety of ways including, but not limited to, participation in civic celebrations and events, assisting charitable organizations through fund-raising or direct service, and assisting surrounding schools or similar organizations with after school programs available to all.

HONOR guides Cadets of the California Military Institute to exemplify the ultimate in ethical and moral behavior as detailed in the following list:

 Obey the law
 Lead by example
 Respect yourself and others
 Maintain a high standard of integrity
 Uphold special trust and confidence
 Place faith and honor above all else
 Honor fellow cadets, the Corps of Cadets, Country, and Family.

The qualities of maturity, dedication, trust and dependability commit Cadets of the California Military Institute to act responsibly; to be accountable for their actions; and to fulfill their obligations.

CMI is a unique educational experience combining high academic expectations and standards with a military-style environment. CMI has many unique features that set it apart from other public schools. The concept of CMI was developed and promoted by members of the Board of Trustees for the Perris Union High School District, our chartering local education agency. When first conceived, the military style structure was modeled after another charter school in Oakland, California. As with the school in Oakland, CMI is affiliated with the California Cadet Corps (CaCC) which is the JROTC program offered by the California National Guard. The Military Science curriculum that we offer our cadets was developed by the CaCC.

CMI is not a “military school” that is for troubled or at-risk cadets. CMI was created to provide educational challenges to cadets who attain a minimum of a 2.0 GPA and have no significant behavioral issues. With these academic and behavioral criteria and a sense of military-style organization in place, CMI opened its doors for the first class of fifty 7th graders in 2003. Our first class of seniors graduated in June 2009. We currently serve 5th-12th grade and have a total enrollment of 1006 Military Path/ 21 Technology Path students. The California Military Institute has successfully started its twelfth year of meeting the challenge of providing a high quality educational experience for those who seek a safe, secure, motivating, and disciplined learning environment.

COURAGE is the mental, moral and physical strength ingrained in Cadets. Courage is the ability to do the right thing, in the right way, for the right reasons. It carries Cadets through the challenges of youth and aids them in overcoming fear. It is the inner strength that enables a Cadet to do what is right; to adhere to a higher standard of personal conduct; to lead by example; and to make tough decisions under stress and pressure.

COMMITMENT is the spirit of determination and dedication found in Cadets. It leads to the highest order of discipline for individuals and units within the Corps of Cadets. It inspires the unrelenting determination to achieve a standard of academic and personal excellence. Commitment includes a personal determination to:

 Perform all tasks at the highest level of personal ability
 Always be truthful and forthright
 Complete all assigned tasks with pride and dignity no matter how difficult or simple