 His parents then enrolled him at Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne , Pennsylvania . Salinger began writing stories " under the covers [ at night ] , with the aid of a flashlight " . Salinger was the literary editor of the class yearbook , Cross Sabres . He also participated in the Glee Club , Aviation Club , French Club , and the Non @-@ Commissioned Officers Club . Salinger 's Valley Forge 201 file reveals that he was a " mediocre " student , and unlike the overachievement enjoyed by members of the Glass family he would go on to write about , his recorded IQ was far from that of a genius . He graduated in 1936 . 
