Fork Union Military Academy Photo #9 - Hatcher Hall overlooks Fraley Circle at the heart of our campus.

Fork Union Military Academy

PO Box 278, 4744 James Madison Hwy
Fork Union, VA 23055
Fork Union Military Academy has been called "the West Point of high schools," and is a Christian, college preparatory boarding school for young men.
Built on the structure and discipline of a traditional military academy model, you will find a unique school experience that provides accountability, rewards good performance, and serves as a leadership laboratory in which you can develop your team building and leadership skills.
Founded in 1898 by one of Virginia's prominent Baptist ministers, Dr.
William E. Hatcher, the Academy enrolls about 300 capable young men in grades 7 through 12 and postgraduate each year.
The Academy's mission is straightforward: give each young man the structure, accountability, and preparation to achieve his very best - in college and in life.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 7-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 300 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $36,600
  • Acceptance rate: 55%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Fork Union Military Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 272 schools) for:

School Overview

Definition of Terms | 2026 School Data
Fork Union Military Academy
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
7-12, PG
8-12
School Type
Co-ed
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1898
1907
Campus Size
1100 acres
125 acres
Last Day of School
Wed. May 19, 2027
School Motto
Body. Mind. Spirit.

Student Body

Enrollment
300 students
319 students
% Students of Color
48%
27%
% International Students
10%
21%
% Students Boarding
97%
65%
Average SAT Score
1110
(Out of 1600)
* National Avg. »View
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No

Academic Profile

Saturday Classes
Yes
No
Frequency of Saturday Classes
Less than once a month
Weekly
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
Military-style uniforms
Casual
Average Class Size
12 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
7:1
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
68%
73%
Summer Program Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
27
18
Courses
AP Calculus ABAP Calculus BC
AP Environmental ScienceAP Microeconomics
AP US Government & PoliticsDual Enrollment English 111 – College Composition
Dual Enrollment Political Science 135 – US Gov’tDual Enrollment Political Science 136 – Local & State
Dual Enrollment Religion 216Dual Enrollment US History – US History I
Honors Algebra IIHonors Biology
Honors ChemistryHonors Computer Science
Honors English I – World Literature IHonors English II – World Literature II
Honors English III – American LiteratureHonors Geometry
Honors German IIHonors German III
Honors Leadership and EthicsHonors Physics
Honors Pre-Calc/TrigHonors Spanish II
Honors Spanish IIIHonors Western Civilization I
Honors Western Civilization II

Tuition & Financial Aid

Endowment Size
$18 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$36,600
$71,250
Tuition international students
$44,850
$58,650
Summer Program Cost
$4,500
% Students on Financial Aid
74%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$15,057
$25,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
Weekly

Admissions

Application Deadline
None / Rolling
Jan. 15
Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)
No
Acceptance Rate
55%
64%
Director of Admissions
COL Gary Leydig
Application URL

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered
16
17
Colors
Blue, Red
School Mascot
Blue Devils

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
23
23
Extracurriculars


Club or Organization:
Boy Scouts of AmericaBreakfast Club - Christian Study Group
Chess ClubComputer Gaming Club
Global Citizens ClubHonor Council
Quadrille ClubRetan Rifles
School NewspaperSchool Yearbook
SCUBA ClubWoodworking Club


Arts and Music Programs:
BagpipersBand
ChoirChorale
Dramatics


Recreational Athletic Programs:
Orienteering

College Matriculation

College Acceptance Rate
100%

School Notes

  • Fork Union Military Academy, sometimes described as "the West Point of high schools," is one of the nation's leading college preparatory, Christian boarding schools using military structure and discipline to build accountability, reward performance, and develop leadership.Here, your son finds an academic environment built for how boys learn, and a structure that helps him grow into the man he's capable of becoming.Ask a cadet what kind of student belongs here and the answer is consistent: someone who wants to be better, to be challenged, not just to achieve, but to grow. Someone who knows that being extraordinary is a choice, requiring extra effort every day, especially when the going gets hard.For the student who's already driven, Fork Union sharpens everything: rigorous academics, higher standards, peers who push each other further.For the student who hasn't yet found his footing, this is often the turning point, where capable young men discover what they're really made of.
  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • Sonny Randle, '54 - Sportscaster, former NFL wide receiver
    • Plaxico Burress, '96 - NFL football player, wide receiver for New York Giants
    • Gen. John T. Chain, Jr., '52 - Former Commander In Chief of the Strategic Air Command
    • Robert S. Bloxom, '55 - Virginia's Secretary of Agriculture
    • Charles Edwin Estes, '43 - CEO of Great Coastal, a nationwide trucking company
    • John Bassett Vaughan, '48 - Vaughan-Bassett Furniture Company
    • Edward Telling, '38 - Former Chairman & CEO of Sears
    • Kevin Plank, '91 - President & Founder of Under Armour
    • Billy Campbell, '76 - Actor
    • Lloyd Dobyns, '53 - Fomer NBC News Reporter/Correspondent
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Fork Union Military Academy cost?
Fork Union Military Academy's tuition is approximately $36,600 for boarding students.
What is the acceptance rate of Fork Union Military Academy?
The acceptance rate of Fork Union Military Academy is 55%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 64%.
Who are famous alumni from Fork Union Military Academy?
Fork Union Military Academy famous alumni include: Sonny Randle, '54, Plaxico Burress, '96, Gen. John T. Chain, Jr., '52, Robert S. Bloxom, '55, Charles Edwin Estes, '43, John Bassett Vaughan, '48, Edward Telling, '38, Kevin Plank, '91, Billy Campbell, '76 and Lloyd Dobyns, '53.
What sports does Fork Union Military Academy offer?
Fork Union Military Academy offers 16 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Diving, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Marksmanship, Orienteering, Riflery, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Winter Track and Wrestling.
Does Fork Union Military Academy offer a summer program?
Yes, Fork Union Military Academy offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What is Fork Union Military Academy's ranking?
Fork Union Military Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for High percentage of students on financial aid and High # of AP/advanced courses offered.
When is the application deadline for Fork Union Military Academy?
The application deadline for Fork Union Military Academy is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

Alumni Reviews Review School

Review
Description

Class of 2024
5.00
Campbell university
One of the most famous aspects to our school is it's one subject plan. The one subject plan is an idea where every student attends a single class every week day for 7 weeks, throughout. . .

Class of 2007
5.00
George Mason University
Fork Union will change your son’s life. I’m not exaggerating. I’m not using hyperbole. I have no vested interest in convincing you of this fact. FUMA is a special place, and it will take the. . .

Class of 1985
5.00
Longwood College
Fork Union's One Subject plan was instrumental in regaining my place among my peers when it came to class standing. The ability to completely focus on one subject for a 8 week semester was absolutely. . .
Show more reviews (4 reviews)
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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 7-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 300 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $36,600
  • Acceptance rate: 55%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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