Dr. Mona Venning, JROTC Director

The Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) mission, “To Motivate Young People to be Better Citizens”, is the guidepost for the program’s success.  The JROTC program of instruction focuses on the development of better citizens through the development of skills in Citizenship; Leadership Theory and Application; Science; and American History.  JROTC classes are conducted in a structured interactive environment and the JROTC classrooms are equipped with technology and tools to enhance student participation and learning. This course of study is normally completed in four years at a traditional high school (8th grade students on the same campus of a high school with JROTC may enroll as a LET 1).  JROTC instructors are all highly qualified and experienced military veterans who have successfully completed 20 or more years of service in our Armed Forces.

Our JROTC staff are committed to establishing a legacy of excellence as they strive to accomplish their mission- "to motivate young people to be better citizens." They prepare high school students for responsible leadership roles while making them aware of their rights, responsibilities, and privileges as American citizens. The program is a stimulus for promoting graduation from high school, and it provides instruction and rewarding opportunities that will benefit the student, community, and nation.

The National Defense Act of 1916 established organized Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) programs at public and private educational institutions. The Army Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps became a part Atlanta Public Schools when a unit was activated in 1919 after 342 students of the now extinct Boys High School submitted a signed request in 1918 to activate a unit there.   Today the Army JROTC Program is alive and well in all eleven APS high schools. Since the program began, thousands of students have been exposed to the ideals of leadership, character development, and citizenship training provided by JROTC.

The Atlanta Public Schools and the United States Army will continue its proud and long-standing partnership to develop informed and responsible citizens and to better equip our young people to become the leaders of tomorrow.

The objectives of APS' Junior ROTC program are to develop students/cadets who are:

• Aware of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship
• Aware of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship Prepare to be good leaders; willing to show initiative and take charge.
• Prepare to be good leaders; willing to show initiative and take charge Able to think logically and communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing
• Able to think logically and communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing.
• Committed to improving physical fitness Committed to living drug-free.
• Committed to living drug-free Instilled with self-discipline and positive self-motivation.
• Instilled with self-discipline and positive self-motivation Aware of the historical perspective of the military services.
• Aware of the historical perspective of the military services Aware of the importance of teamwork
• Aware of the importance of teamwork Imbued with the core character traits/values for successful living.
• Imbued with the core character traits/values for successful living Aware of their strengths and weaknesses.
• Aware of their strengths and weaknesses Aware of the problem-solving/decision-making process for resolving issues
• Aware of the problem-solving/decision-making process for resolving issues
• Adaptable and confident Prepared for successful living upon graduation from high school
• Prepared for successful living upon graduation from high school.