If you’ve driven through Chicago’s Logan Square lately, you’ve probably seen the imposing building at the corner of Armitage and Karlov. That’s the Marine Leadership Academy at Ames. Most people just call it "MLA" or "Ames." It’s one of the few places in the city where you’ll see sixth graders walking around in crisp utility uniforms, looking more organized than most adults do on a Monday morning. It’s a Public Military Academy within the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) system.
Don't let the name confuse you. It isn't a boot camp for "troubled" kids. That is the biggest myth out there. Honestly, it’s just a neighborhood school with a really intense focus on leadership, discipline, and the Marine Corps values. It serves grades 6 through 12. Think about that for a second. You have eleven-year-olds and eighteen-year-olds sharing the same campus, all operating under a military-style hierarchy. It’s a unique vibe.
The Reality of Marine Leadership Academy at Ames
People hear "Marine" and they think drill sergeants screaming in faces. It’s not like that. Well, maybe a little bit during drill practice, but the academic side is the real driver. The school transitioned from being a middle school (Ames Middle School) to a military academy around 2013-2014. It was a controversial move at the time. Local activists fought it. They wanted a traditional neighborhood school. But the "Academy" stuck, and since then, it has carved out a very specific niche in the Chicago education landscape.
The school operates as a Title I school. That basically means a high percentage of the students come from low-income backgrounds. For many of these families, MLA represents a path to college that feels structured and safe. You’ve got the JROTC (Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps) integrated into the daily curriculum. Every student is a cadet.
Why the Military Model Actually Works Here
Structure saves lives. Or at least, it saves GPAs.
At the Marine Leadership Academy at Ames, the day starts with formation. It's not just for show. It sets a tone. If you're a cadet, you're responsible for your uniform. You're responsible for your rank. If you mess up, it's on you, but your "platoon" also feels it. This creates a weirdly strong sense of community that you don't always find in massive, 3,000-student high schools. MLA is smaller. It’s more intimate.
The curriculum follows the Common Core, just like any other CPS school, but there’s this extra layer. Cadets take Naval Science classes. They learn land navigation. They learn marksmanship (with air rifles). They learn how to lead a group of people through a task without everything falling apart.
The Controversy You Might Have Forgotten
We have to talk about how this school came to be. It wasn't a smooth transition. Back in 2013, the Logan Square community was split. Protesters literally sat in the streets to stop the conversion of Ames Middle School into a military academy. They argued that the community didn't ask for a military school—they asked for a better neighborhood school.
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The Board of Education pushed it through anyway.
Why? Because the military academy model in Chicago has a high success rate for graduation and college enrollment. Whether you agree with the "militarization" of schools or not, the numbers at places like Phoenix Military Academy or Rickover Naval Academy were hard for the board to ignore. Today, the heat has mostly died down. The school is a fixture. It’s part of the neighborhood’s DNA now, even if the scars of that 2013 battle remain for some long-time residents.
Academics vs. Military Life
It’s a balancing act. You aren't just doing pushups.
- Advanced Placement (AP) Courses: They have them. Students are encouraged to take AP Spanish, AP English, and AP Government.
- Post-Secondary Focus: The goal isn't to send everyone into the military. Surprisingly, most graduates go to four-year colleges. The military is just the framework for the discipline needed to get there.
- The Uniform: It’s a big deal. Proper wear of the MCCUU (Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform) or the "Service Bravos" is graded. It’s part of your GPA.
If you hate tucking in your shirt, you’re going to have a rough four years here. Seriously.
What It’s Really Like Inside the Classrooms
Walking down the halls of the Marine Leadership Academy at Ames feels different than a "normal" school. It's quieter. There is a lot of "Yes, Sir" and "No, Ma'am." To some, it feels restrictive. To others, it feels like a relief. There is no guesswork about expectations.
The teachers here are civilians, mostly. But they work alongside retired Marines who serve as the military instructors. It’s a "dual-command" sort of feel. The Marine instructors (SgtMaj, MGySgt, etc.) act as mentors, counselors, and sometimes the "heavy" when discipline slips.
One thing people don't realize is the emphasis on "Service Above Self." The cadets do a massive amount of community service. They’re at the parades. They’re helping at local food pantries. It’s part of the grade, but it also builds a resume that looks great to college recruiters.
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Admissions: How Do You Actually Get In?
It's not just about living nearby anymore. Because it’s a "Contract" or "Citywide" school in some aspects, you have to apply through the GoCPS system.
- The Application: You put it on your list during the standard CPS application window.
- The Interview/Information Session: Usually, there’s a requirement to attend an info session so you (and your parents) know what you’re signing up for.
- Selection: It’s a lottery-based system for the most part, but there are certain priority tiers.
If you think you're going to show up and just "try it out," you're in for a shock. The commitment to the uniform and the conduct code is non-negotiable from day one.
The "Post-Grad" Reality
Does every kid join the Marines? No. Not even close.
In fact, the school prides itself on its college acceptance rates. They have a "Post-Secondary" office that is honestly more aggressive than many private schools. They want kids in college. They want them getting scholarships. If a kid wants to enlist, the Marine instructors will help them—and they usually enter at a higher rank (E-2) because of their JROTC experience—but the "college-first" mantra is everywhere.
You see MLA grads at University of Illinois, at UIC, and even at some Ivy Leagues. The "Marine" part of the name is the how, not necessarily the where. It’s the method they use to produce a student who can handle a heavy workload without crumbling.
Common Misconceptions About MLA at Ames
Let's clear the air on a few things.
"It's a school for bad kids." Wrong. It’s a school for kids who want a challenge. If you have a history of serious disciplinary issues, a military academy might actually be the hardest place for you to be because the scrutiny is constant.
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"They are recruiting for the 18th hole." People think JROTC is a pipeline for war. Legally, JROTC cannot recruit for the military. Their mission is "to make better citizens." Period. There is no obligation to join the armed forces after graduation.
"It's all boys." Nope. It’s co-ed. The female cadets are often some of the highest-ranking leaders in the school. The "Top Dog" (Battalion Commander) is frequently a female student who out-drilled and out-studied everyone else.
Is It the Right Fit for Your Kid?
Honestly? It depends.
If your child thrives on routine, they will love it. If they like being part of a "unit" and wearing a uniform with pride, they’ll thrive. But if your kid is a "free spirit" who hates rules and thinks dress codes are an infringement on their soul, it’s going to be a long, miserable six years.
You have to want the structure. You have to want the "leadership" part of the Marine Leadership Academy at Ames. It’s not a passive experience. You can't just blend into the back of the class. You are constantly being evaluated on your "bearing"—how you carry yourself, how you speak, and how you lead others.
Actionable Steps for Interested Families
If you're looking at MLA as an option, don't just read the website.
- Visit during a drill competition. Seeing the cadets in action, competing against other schools, tells you more about the culture than any brochure.
- Talk to current parents. They’ll tell you the truth about the cost of uniforms (it’s a thing) and the time commitment for extracurriculars.
- Check the GoCPS deadlines. If you miss the window, getting in mid-year is almost impossible because of the way the Naval Science curriculum is structured.
- Prepare for the middle school to high school jump. If your child starts in 6th grade, they have a "seat" for high school, which is a huge stress-reliever in the chaotic Chicago school system.
The Marine Leadership Academy at Ames is a specific tool for a specific type of student. It’s not a "traditional" experience, but for the hundreds of cadets who walk those halls in Logan Square, it’s exactly the foundation they need. It’s tough. It’s loud. It’s disciplined. And for the right kid, it’s the best start they could ask for.