Virginia is home of the largest number of accredited military schools that serve K–12 students in the United States. Of its seven schools, six are private/independent, and one is a public charter school. Read on for more on military schools in Virginia.
An Overview of Military Schools in Virginia
The seven military schools for K–12 students currently open for business in Virginia and holding accreditation from recognized agencies mostly date from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, a time when the idea of combining military discipline with rigorous academic studies was widespread. But Virginia also represents the most recent thoughts about education, as home to the first-in-the-country public military charter school. Thus, Virginia’s collection of military schools offers both the traditional and new approach to military school.
Here is an introduction to the military schools in Virginia:
• Benedictine High School is an all-boys Catholic military college preparatory school in Richmond, Virginia, serving grades 9–12. It serves day students, is a member of the Association of Military Colleges and Schools in the United States (AMCSUS) and is accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS). It was founded in 1911.
• Fishburne Military School is an all-boys college preparatory military school in Waynesboro, Virginia, serving grades 7–12, with a post-graduate year. It is almost entirely a boarding school, with a few day students and 5 percent international students. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS). It was founded in 1879.
• Fork Union Military Academy is an all-boys college preparatory military school with a Baptist affiliation in Fork Union, Virginia, serving students in grades 6 through 12, with a post graduate year. Almost all students board, but there are a few day students and four percent international students. Fork Union Military Academy is accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States (AMCSUS). It was founded in 1898.
• Franklin Military Academy is one of the “specialty” public schools in Richmond, Virginia (that is, it is not a charter school), serving grades 9 through 12. It is referred to as FMA on the Richmond Public Schools website, but FMS (Franklin Military School) on the school website. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). It was founded in 1980. A public safety program was added to the curriculum in 2004.
• Hargrave Military Academy is an all-boys college-preparatory military school with a Baptist affiliation in Chatham, Virginia, serving students in grades7 through 12, with a post-graduate year. It serves nearly all boarding school students, with a few day students and 7 percent international students. It has nationally recognized PG basketball and football programs. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS). It was founded in 1909.
• Massanutten Military Academy is a coeducational college preparatory military school with a non-denominational Christian affiliation in Woodstock, Virginia, serving students in grades 7–12, with a post-graduate year. It offers 6 AP courses and dual-enrollment courses with Shenandoah University. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS). It was founded in 1899.
• Randolph-Macon Academy is a coeducational United Methodist college-preparatory military school with an Air-Force affiliated JROTC in Front Royal, Virginia, serving students in grades 6-12 with a PG year. It offers 14 AP classes, 16 interscholastic sports, and has an award-winning speech and debate team and marching band. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS). It was founded in 1892.
