Virginia is home to about 7 military schools and colleges open to girls and boys at varying educational levels; high school, college, and undergraduate.
If you’re on the search for the best military school in VA fit to train your cadet in academics, character, and discipline, you will surely find one of the best in the list below.
Virginia is one of the finest in the country for prestigious military prep and boarding schools. The close proximity of Virginia to historic landmarks and Washington, D.C., makes it a highly desirable place to attend prep school.
Here is a guide on the best military colleges for boys and girls in Virginia. We have also answered most of the questions that linger in your mind about this subject.
Let’s dive in!!!
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What are the Requirements to Get into Virginia Military Schools?
Each military school in Virginia has its admission requirements for admission. However, there are admission requirements that are common to all the military schools in the state be it for girls or boys, high school or college or undergrad.
To be eligible to get into the military schools in VA, you must meet the following requirements;
- Be of the required age range.
- Be free of felony charges and no pending court proceedings
- Must be physically and mentally capable to participate in the program
- Be free from the use of illegal drugs or other substances.
- Also, applicants must submit all supporting documents completely filled in as required by the school.
Any additional requirements will be school specific. Once you’ve made a choice of school from the list below, you should visit the school website for details on school-specific requirements.
How Many Military Schools are on Virginia?
As of 2022, there are just 7 military schools in Virginia. All accept both girls and girls. Some on the other hand accept just one gender. All of these 7 military schools in the state are accredited by the appropriate bodies.
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List of the Top Military Colleges in Virginia
Here we have listed and explained all you need to know about all the military and military-friendly schools in Virginia to help you make a choice of which is the best for your child.
Keep in mind the requirements and location of each school are different. For clarity, we have specified which school is a high school and which is a college.
The list of military schools in the state includes;
#1. Fishburne Military School
- Grades: 7-12
- Founded: 1879
- # of Students: 120
- School Type: Private
- Tuition: $34,000 per year
- Student / Teacher Ratio: 8:1
- Location: Waynesboro, Virginia
Fishburne Military School is a high school military school for pre-teens. It is one of the oldest private all-male military schools in the USA as a whole.
Over the years, Fishburne Military School has established an unparalleled reputation as an institution as well as in high-quality academics.
Although a military school, Fishburne Military School’s academic structure and the JROTC program are focused on preparing cadets for post-secondary education. The curriculum focuses more on STEM which leaves it as one of the few institutions in Virginia to compete in STEM academics against international competition.
Fishburne Military School has founding principles which all cadets must abide by honor, integrity, personal responsibility, and respect for everyone. The school also awards the Leadership for Life scholarship to one hard-working student.
It’s always important to note that the Corps of Cadets at Fishburne is recognized by the U.S. Army JROTC Cadet Command as an Honor Unit with Distinction.
#2. Fork Union Military Academy
- Grades: 7-12
- Founded: 1898
- # of Students: 365
- School Type: Private
- Student / Teacher Ratio: 9:1
- Location: Fork Union, Virginia
- Tuition: $40,000 (borders) $17,800 (day) per year
Still of the oldest yet existing military colleges in Virginia are Fork Union Military Academy (FUMA). Fork Union Military Academy is another iconic private military college of the Old Dominion.
Just like Fishburne, Fork Union Military Academy is only open to male students. The college is a full-time boarding school. Its curriculum prepares cadets to meet up with Ivy League schools’ standards as well as other federal service academies.
Fork Union Military Academy believes and inculcated into its cadets the need to express positivity daily. As a military school, FUMA ensures cadets participate in drills, and exercises in addition to sports, clubs, and student organizations.
Interestingly, cadets between 9-12 are allowed to focus on one subject at a time as opposed to the conventional multiple classes and subjects following its “One Subject Plan” curriculum.
Also Read: 10 Best Flight Schools in Virginia | How to Apply
#3. Massanutten Military Academy
- Grades: 6-12
- Founded: 1899
- # of Students: 140
- School Type: Private
- Student / Teacher Ratio: 7:1
- Location: Woodstock, Virginia
- Tuition: $18,000 (online), $25,000 (5-day boarding student), and $29,000 (7-day boarding student) per year
Next on our list of best military schools in Virginia is Massanutten Military Academy (MMA). Though an old institution, Massanutten Military Academy maintains its stellar reputation in academics and training. MMA is one of the military schools in Virginia which is open to boys and girls.
Options exist to become a border or a day student at MMA. Though academically conscious, MMA military training program is consistently ranked among the finest in the country for Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps which is recognized as an Honor Unit with Distinction.
Cadets get to compete in the JROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl (JLAB) for national recognition. Graduates of MMA, through the world-class STEM-based curriculum, have earned millions in scholarships.
Tuition assistance is available via scholarships like Steve and Kim Rehman Scholarship and flexible payment plans.
#4. Hargrave Military Academy
- Grades: 7-12
- Founded: 1909
- # of Students: 220
- School Type: Private
- Student / Teacher Ratio: 7:1
- Location: Chatham, Virginia
- Tuition: $40,000 (border), $16,000 (day) per year
Hargrave Military Academy (HMA) is another private all-male military school affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia. Following its approach towards building character, Hargrave Military Academy was honored as a National School of Character in 2016.
As a military school, Hargrave Military Academy follows a military structure, and participation in JROTC is not mandatory like some military schools in Virginia. Cadets wear uniforms for unison and adhere to a chain of command.
One reason to enroll in HMA is the self-paced learning the school ensures through the “Enhanced Learning Through Technology” program. With this cadets can work through study materials and complete requirements at their own pace, from any place on campus
Another reason to enroll in Hargrave Military Academy is you can have dual enrollment with either Danville Community College or Liberty University. HMA also offers standard and advanced high school diplomas. Also, there is an option of spending one postgraduate year on campus before departing for another institution.
Upon graduation from Hargrave Military Academy students will exhibit the school’s 4 principles of character, faith, academics, and athletics.
#5. Franklin Military Academy
- Grades: 6-12
- Founded: 1980
- # of Students: 365
- School Type: Public
- Tuition: No Tuition cost
- Student / Teacher Ratio: 11:1
- Location: Richmond, Virginia
One of the few public military schools in Virginia is Franklin Military Academy, not just in Virginia but also in the USA at large. At Franklin Military Academy, cadets have options to take on an alternative to a standard high school degree. Here, cadets learn in the traditional structure of a military environment.
This is one of the few military schools in Virginia for boys and girls. FMA expects all cadets to participate in Junior Reserve Officer Training (JROTC) and a demanding course load. Cadets may consider electives in Spanish, business, art, band, and chorus. In addition to school work, cadets also participate in as many extracurricular activities and sports such as football, basketball, baseball, and track.
As an honor of its exceptional way of learning, Franklin Military Academy received the prestigious bronze ranking in the U.S. News and World Report listing of the top high schools in the country in 2012.
Also Read: 10 Best Christian Schools in Virginia | How to Apply
#6. Randolph-Macon Academy
- Grades: 6-12
- Founded: 1892
- # of Students: 292
- School Type: Private
- Student / Teacher Ratio: 12:1
- Location: Front Royal, Virginia
- Tuition: Upper School Boarding: $41,784, Upper School Day: $21,487, Middle School Boarding: $38,696, and Middle School Day: $18,457
Next on our list of best military schools in Virginia is the Randolph-Macon Academy. Randolph-Macon Academy is a private college preparatory military school with multiple affiliations. Its affiliations include a prized agreement with the United States Air Force as well as the United Methodist Church.
Randolph-Macon Academy accepts day and boarding students with separate dormitories and classrooms for cadets in grade levels 6-8. One of the major academic highlights at Randolph-Macon is the Air Force JROTC program. This program is for cadets in the upper school (grades 9-12) to help them develop leadership skills and citizenship responsibilities.
In addition to the academic work, Randolph-Macon Academy offers a plethora of extracurricular activities such as band, drama, chorus, speech and debate, color guard, drill teams plus 16 coed varsity sports.
Upon graduation, cadets understand the importance of community service and get to work directly with Air Force flight instructors and aviation programs.
Keep in mind that Randolph-Macon Academy is accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
#7. Virginia Military Institute
- Grades: Ugrd
- Founded: 1839
- # of Students: 1,700
- School Type: Private
- Student / Teacher Ratio: 11:1
- Location: Lexington, Virginia
- Tuition: $37,570 (out-of-state and international students) and $19,120 (in-state students)
Virginia Military Institute is an undergraduate military school and the first state-supported military college in the United States. VMI offers a 4-year academic program of military training through the ROTC program.
Although the ROTC program is compulsory for all cadets, cadets are not mandated to accept the commission to the Armed Forces upon graduation although most cadets do.
At Virginia Military Institute, every student on campus is a cadet and therefore strict military discipline is anticipated from all. Cadets combine physical exercise with academic and leadership development.
Keep in mind that Virginia Military Institute is one of the military schools in Virginia that offers several majors such as engineering, liberal arts, humanities, or the sciences.
What is the Cost Of Military Schools in Virginia?
There are varying costs for tuition fees for military schools in Virginia. Out of the 7 military schools in Virginia, Franklin Military Academy does not accept tuition while others do.
Also, depending on the level of education you’re enrolling for, the location of the Academy, and the duration of the program, the cost may differ from institution to institution.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Military Colleges in Virginia
How Old Can I Get Into Military Schools In VA?
Depending on the school, the age requirement will differ. Every school has its specified age requirements. Virginia military schools’ age requirements start at 6 years old for high school students to undergraduates at Virginia Military Institute.
To get a grasp of the school’s expectations age-wise, we advise you to visit the school’s website once you have made a choice.
Do Virginia Military Colleges Accept International Students?
Yes, most military schools in VA, accept international students both boys and girls.
Do Military Schools Have Academic Curriculum In Virginia?
Absolutely, military schools have an academic curriculum. It’s a military school first because of the academic components, the training is just an add-on to build character, integrity, and confidence to face life squarely.
Conclusion
At this point all you have to do is make a choice from the list we have made above and once you’ve done that, kindly visit the school website for details on the requirements as well as the tuition cost for enrollment.
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