  |
|
|
THE END OF AN ERA AND OF COLUMBIA MILITARY ACADEMY
The climate for boarding schools and their popularity declined sharply after the Supreme Court ordered desegregation of public schools in the early 1960's. Communities all over the south began establishing private day schools, and the more expensive boarding schools faltered. Popularity for the military profession waned with public dissension and outrage over the wasted American lives in an undeclared war in Vietnam. Abolishment of the selective service draft in 1973 only served to justify those sentiments. Local leadership in Columbia wanted CMA to become a day school also. In an effort to build enrollment CMA began admitting female day students in 1969, who were not required at that time to take ROTC but had the option to do so. In 1978 when too few students were enrolled in the ROTC, it was withdrawn. The local day students did not want the discipline and rigor of military training. The military had been central to the success and pride that |
|
| Page 12 of 15 |