Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Virginia, is a Christian, college preparatory, military-style boarding school for young men in Grades 7 through 12 and postgraduates.
Fork Union was founded in 1898 and has a rich tradition promoting character, leadership, and scholarship.
Fork Union Military Academy strives to keep its tuition as low as possible so that the cost of military school is affordable for as many families as possible.
Quick Stats (2025)
- 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 280 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Affordability
Offering Breadth
School Overview
Year Founded
1898
1907
Campus Size
1305 acres
125 acres
Colors
Blue, Red
Student Body
Enrollment
300 students
319 students
% Students of Color
48%
27%
% International Students
10%
21%
% Students Boarding
97%
67%
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
Yes
No
Frequency of Saturday Classes
Weekly
Less than once a month
Student : Teacher Ratio
8:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
27
18
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
68%
72%
Summer Program Details
Tuition Cost
Endowment Size
$18 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$36,600
$66,900
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
n/a
$35,500
Tuition international students
$44,850
$58,300
Summer Program Cost
$4,500
% Students on Financial Aid
74%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$15,057
$25,000
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
55%
64%
Director of Admissions
Mrs. Jackie Montero-Sharpe
Application URL
AP / Advanced Courses
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
27
18
Courses
AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Environmental Science, AP Microeconomics, AP US Government & Politics, Dual Enrollment English 111 – College Composition, Dual Enrollment Political Science 135 – US Gov’t, Dual Enrollment Political Science 136 – Local & State, Dual Enrollment Religion 216, Dual Enrollment US History – US History I, Honors Algebra II, Honors Biology, Honors Chemistry, Honors Computer Science, Honors English I – World Literature I, Honors English II – World Literature II, Honors English III – American Literature, Honors Geometry, Honors German II, Honors German III, Honors Leadership and Ethics, Honors Physics, Honors Pre-Calc/Trig, Honors Spanish II, Honors Spanish III, Honors Western Civilization I, Honors Western Civilization II
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
16
16
Sports
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
23
23
Extracurriculars
National Honor Society
Club or Organization:
Boy Scouts of America, Breakfast Club - Christian Study Group, Chess Club, Computer Gaming Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Fishing Club, Global Citizens Club, Honor Council, Interact Club, National Junior Honor Society, Quadrille Club, Retan Rifles, School Newspaper, School Yearbook, SCUBA Club, Woodworking Club
Arts and Music Programs:
Bagpipers, Band, Choir, Chorale, Dramatics
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Orienteering
Club or Organization:
Boy Scouts of America, Breakfast Club - Christian Study Group, Chess Club, Computer Gaming Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Fishing Club, Global Citizens Club, Honor Council, Interact Club, National Junior Honor Society, Quadrille Club, Retan Rifles, School Newspaper, School Yearbook, SCUBA Club, Woodworking Club
Arts and Music Programs:
Bagpipers, Band, Choir, Chorale, Dramatics
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Orienteering
College Matriculation
College Acceptance Rate
100%
Year: 2017 - 2018
10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)
James Madison University
18
Virginia Tech
16
George Mason University
11
The Citadel
8
Virginia Commonwealth University
8
Liberty University
7
University of Alabama
5
Pennsylvania State University
4
University of Tennessee
4
United States Naval Academy
3
School Notes
- School Motto: We forge devout, educated, honorable young men who are courageous.
- School Mascot: Blue Devils
- Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Virginia, is a Christian, college preparatory, military-style boarding school for young men in Grades 7 through 12 and postgraduates. Fork Union was founded in 1898 and has a rich tradition promoting character, leadership, and scholarship.
- Upper School students follow a unique "One-Subject Plan" of study, concentrating on a single major subject every seven weeks. Middle School students follow a traditional middle school schedule. The mission of Fork Union Military Academy is to provide young men a college preparatory education in a residential, Christian environment.
- Using the best aspects of the military system, the Academy teaches its cadets responsibility, leadership, discipline, and pride by providing an atmosphere in which spiritual, mental, and physical growth can flourish. In addition to our high-quality academics, our athletic program is outstanding. Our school has produced two Heisman Trophy winners (Vinny Testaverde and Eddie George), one Heisman Trophy finalist (Chris Perry), many professional NFL and NBA players, and Olympians.
- Fork Union Military Academy is located within the small village of Fork Union in Central Virginia on a large wooded tract of more than 1,300 acres. This rural setting provides a sanctuary from the noises and bad influences associated with larger cities and suburbs, and gives students wide open spaces for orienteering, cross country, and other outdoor activities. With fewer external distractions, our peaceful, pastoral environment is ideal for this school.Fork Union has a number of endowed scholarships that are awarded to cadets based on various qualifications such as leadership, character, academic performance, and other qualities specific to the scholarship fund.
- Fork Union Military Academy accreditations: Accreditated by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools
- 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
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. . .
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. . .
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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The nearest boarding school to Fork Union Military Academy is St. Anne's-Belfield School (23.7 miles away)
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