Read more details about Randolph-Macon Academy on their 2026-27 profile page.
Reflections and Advice:
1.) What do you think makes your school unique relative to other boarding schools?
Randolph Macon Academy is a military academy with many aspects of a non-military prep school--chapel for instance. It is also a co-ed military academy, which was great for me (being a woman!).
2.) What was the best thing that happened to you in boarding school?
R-MA really gave me the discipline that I needed at that point in my life. I am now very successful in business, I have a Masters Degree, and I credit R-MA for setting me on the right track.
4.) What did you like most about your school?
The structure and discipline were great for me at that time in my life.
Academics:
1.) Describe the academics at your school - what did you like most about it?
The academics were very challenging and prepared me for college--I did very well in undergrad and graduate school thanks to the preparation that R-MA gave me.
Athletics:
1.) Describe the athletics at your school - what did you like most about it?
There was mandatory participation in either a sport or another extracurricular activity every day, which got many students involved in sports who might otherwise not have been.
Art, Music, and Theatre:
1.) Describe the arts program at your school - what did you like most about it?
There was the opportunity to sing in the choir, play hand bells, and more.
Extracurricular Opportunities:
1.) Describe the extracurriculars offered at your school - what did you like most about it?
The school had every student organization that a public school would--National Honor Society, etc.
Dorm Life:
1.) Describe the dorm life in your school - what did you like most about it?
Dorm life was very nice compared to other boarding schools--for example, rooms are broken into "suites" where 4 girls share a bathroom. There are phones in every room, which is also nice, however this is a military school--your room is checked every night, there is a lights-out time, etc.
Dining:
1.) Describe the dining arrangements at your school.
The dining arrangement at R-MA is very family-style--everyone sits at a round table and gets to know a handful of classmates who sit with them.
Social and Town Life:
1.) Describe the school's town and surrounding area.
Front Royal is a very quaint town--not a lot to do other than a movie theater, bowling alley, pool hall, K-Mart, etc.
2.) Describe the social life at your school - what did you like most about it?
I met some great friends who I am still in touch with.
Daily Schedule:
Weekday
7:00 AM
breakfast
8:00 AM
morning formation
8:30 AM
morning classes
12:00 AM
lunch
3:00 PM
afternoon formation and activity
6:00 PM
dinner
7:00 PM
free time
8:00 PM
study hall
10:00 PM
lights out
Weekend
11:00 AM
chapel
Read more details about Randolph-Macon Academy on their 2026-27 profile page.
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
One aspect that I liked most about R-MA was the fact that the classes consisted of no more than twenty students. Having this few students in a classroom meant that as an individual student I. . .
Diversity. R-MA offers a wide range of valuable experiences and opportunities (both academic & non-academic) that will certainly propel you to your desired college/university, not to mention have you very well prepared. In. . .
Randolph-Macon is unique for 2 reasons: 1) The ROTC experience is quite unique. I think that drilling as a unit really builds friendships and camaraderie among students. It certainly helps the students. . .
Show more reviews (1 review)
Recent Articles
What Strong Student-Safeguarding Policies Look Like
Learn what strong student-safeguarding policies should include, how boarding schools put protections into daily practice, and which questions families should ask about reporting, boundaries, training, supervision, and accountability.
Reading a Boarding School’s Disciplinary Record
Learn how to evaluate a boarding school’s disciplinary record, distinguish serious incidents from routine enforcement, identify missing context, compare policies fairly, and ask schools better questions before enrolling.
The Questions Schools Should Answer About Adult Dorm Access
Parents evaluating boarding schools should ask who may enter student dormitories, when access is permitted, how adults are supervised, and what safeguards protect privacy, boundaries, reporting, and accountability.
