To instill in students in United States secondary educational institutions the values of citizenship, service to the United States, and personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment. All course work is creditable toward high school graduation requirements. Cadets take part in training cruises, orientation visits and field trips to various naval activities to enhance classroom experiences. Cadets participate on drill teams, academic teams, marksmanship teams, in group athletics, are involved in community service projects, and in other types of extra-curricular activities.
Instructors are school employees.
Salaries are determined by the rank of the instructor and equal at least the difference between retirement and active duty base pay and allowances. Half of that amount is reimbursed to the school by the Navy. A Head Start People who are successful in life, who succeed in business, industry, and education have often developed a strong sense of self discipline, an ability to lead and motivate others, and a well rounded character. It consists of a minimum of 180 class periods per year of formal classroom training supplemented by ship training cruises, orientation visits, and field trips to various naval activities to enhance classroom studies. The naval science curriculum includes seamanship, oceanography, meteorology, astronomy, navigation, radar and sonar electronics, and leadership.