I am a FUMA graduate, class of 1989. I will say my four years there undoubtedly helped me become a successful adult. Pros: The one subject plan. Being able to focus for seven weeks on one academic class helped beyond measure. I went from failing in school to passing and even making the honor roll in my junior and senior years. Mandatory study time. When I was there, we had a monitored mandatory study session in our rooms for two hours five nights a week. This allowed me to focus on problem courses without distractions. Daily routine. Raising at 0600, breakfast in the mess hall, class formation, chapel services three days a week. Mail call. Afternoon sports practice. Weekend dances with girls schools. Movie nights. All those things taught me the importance of a regimented life and has helped me greatly in my professional life. The cadets run the cadet corps. There were always adult faculty officers around to make sure we didn't turn into a modern Lord of the Flies, but my peers truly ran the barracks and kept solid order. Company commanders, platoon leaders, non-coms all worked together to enforce the rules. The main method was the fear of losing weekend passes and free time, which would happen if caught violating rules. Punishment was spending afternoons marching penalty tours, doing dishes in the mess hall, or losing that precious weekend pass. Sounds tame but was amazingly effective. Cons: The cost. The facilities and n campus have changed greatly since my time. During alumni weekends, I have sen the new buildings. They are very nice, very comfortable. And apparently expensive. Unfortunately, the only way to pay for them is through student tuition. I honestly find that the only downside. I'm sure there's payment plans. Alumni get a ten percent discount if sending their sons. My son is grown. He missed the FUMA experience. But if he has a son and they need more structure to their lives, I'd certainly recommend FUMA and would help with the cost. read more

The teachers and instructors here are genuinely supportive and care about students. That part of the experience was positive. However, the administrative and billing side of this school is extremely concerning. My child attended for only about six weeks before being sent home by the school. I was not given clear explanation or proper guidance on next steps. After that, all my emails, calls, and voicemails were ignored. Then the financial issues started. I began receiving charges with no clear breakdown. Even after my child was no longer attending, the school continued demanding payments. Every month there were random charges like "pay extra", small and large amounts, with no explanation of what they were for. This has been the worst financial experience we have had among three private schools. The most serious issue is that the school is refusing to release my child's transcripts unless I pay a disputed balance. I have already paid separately for transcripts, and another school has requested them, but they are still being withheld. Using a child's academic records to pressure payment is unacceptable. This situation has been stressful and has affected my child's ability to continue education. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND ALL FAMILIES TO CAREFULLY VERIFY THIS SCHOOL. Based on our experience, I would not recommend this school. read more

I failed the 6th grade in public school. Rather than go to summer school or repeat the year where people would know me, I reluctantly let my parents send me to Fork Union. That was the start of a 7 year journey. Repeating 6th grade there I was amazed to find I was on the Headmasters list (a step below Deans List). The military structure and one-subject plan were what I neede. Oh sure, I was not the best student to start, however I learned that every action has consequences and I quickly adjusted. I graduated in 1969 and mention that because although the school has physically changed over the years. their attitude and teaching remains at the forfront. Many famous people have been students and point to Fork Union as having made all the difference. Although I was not very interested in sports at the time, I now wish I had participated. However I did join many of the hobby and activities over my time there. Fork Union is not for everyone, but it certainly was for me. I count many of the teachers and administrators as friends and mentors. I still communicate with fellow students from my classes over 50 years ago. That says something about how the school was a large part of my life. read more

I was a child of the 70's when back then fuma allowed 5th graders (10 years old) to enter (for me this was 1974), well I was one of those children who needed not be in a military institution but in an environment of love. I was 10 years old and I did what I was told by my family. I stayed 4 years through 8 grade and then entered the general populous, completely foreign from what was happening around me at fuma. I struggled for years, I turned to alcohol and drugs in my 20's and lived drunk for 30 years. I am now 11 years completely sober, starting in 2012 and have found my footing in life. Fork Union taught me a substandard curriculum, I was never loved and it took me 44 years years to undo the harm this system caused me. I'd like to know what happened to others who had the misfortune of being there very young. I do understand they accept 7th graders these days. What child, 12 years old needs to be in a loveless environment? Think twice before you ruin your child's life Lastly back in those days, parents dropped their kids off because the child was a behavior problem or the parents wanted to travel the world and let someone else deal with their child. Please don't be that parent. read more

Our grandson is a current student and being at Fork Union is a very positive experience for him. He is aware of his need for academic achievement and is having success in the classroom and he understands, accepts and appreciates the discipline. As a mature 14year old, he sees the need for both to be happy and successful in life. The School is a very positive influence on his life and is setting him up for a great future. Picture volunteering for Veterans Day Parade read more

Fork Union Military Academy - Middle Schools & High Schools Near Me - Fork Union, Virginia

Part time college counselor which really hurt my son in preparing for college. An academic department with zero accountability. A good school for leadership, they did a great job with my son but the school failed miserably when it came time for him to apply for colleges. read more

If I could give a 0 for a review I would. We sent our son to Fork Union Post Grad Football program. What a waste of $21,000k -$5k credit. Our son suffered his senior year. He had 2.6 grade point average. Our goal for sending our son to FUPG program was to allow him to get more film, use FUPG recruiting contacts and raise his grade point average. Coach Arritt promises they will develop the whole man. Emotionally, spiritually, academically and in Football. Increasing the grade point average is a joke, it's gimme A. Spiritually your son will gain more watching Joel Osteen. My son did thrive in the military environment but don't let that fool you into thinking kids aren't getting phones inside, and they are able to watch unlimited streaming of movies on their computers. Now for Football. ALL of the coaches act as if they are there just to collect a paycheck. They do nothing to develop the players or motivate them. One of the coaches even had a domestic dispute and charges were filed. The coaches are there to WIN, because it will look better on their resume to say they had 2 undefeated seasons. The coaches are not there to develop players. If your son is not getting playing time in high school he will not get playing time at FUPG Football. They will take a team of 30-40 kids and only play their top 22 players. Basically they take kids into the program knowing they are not good enough to be starters and use your $$$ to help fund their program. Now the PRESIDENT of the Fork Union. Never have a I met a more unprofessional, egotistical or argumentative person in my life. When my husband and I tried to discuss the lack of playing time for our son and other players the President went on to get defensive and started asking irrelevant questions like - What was our son's grade point average and even went as far to say that my son probably wasn't good enough to be a starter on the team! But yet, they take your money! My husband was a college football player, did assisted college coaching and has coached recreational leagues for our sons. He knows how to motivate and build skills in players. Instead of listening to why it's important to play all of the kids and NOT worry about getting the WIN the PRESIDENT became so defensive he started asking my husband about his college playing record and his record as a coach! As if what his record was 30 years ago or 7 years ago! He should have listened to parents who weren't happy about the lack of playing time for our son. By the way there were kids on the team that never even took a snap. We drove 3 hours to watch our son get a few snaps on a few games. All the coaches care about is their paychecks and getting the win because that helps them when people look at their resume. None of the kids in the football program enjoyed being at Fork Union. My son went to the recruiting event on the last day of the program and did get 4 coaches ask him to come to see their universities. So they had recruiters there, but my son is 6'5'' - his size alone gets him noticed. If you are hoping that FUPG Football is going to develop your player - they won't. Oh BTW the food stinks too, and the football players don't get more to help sustain the workouts they do all day. Save your MONEY. AVOID this program. The coaching team is not good and the President is the worst representative of this academy. He is a disgrace as a leader and a professional. He should be fired for the way he conducted himself. Good luck parents and I hope your son finds a school he can play for! read more

Fork Union is not what my son or I thought it would be. Fork Union is a place for kids that need guidance, structure and discipline, neither of which my child was in need of. There are a number of great instructors on staff and there are a few that shouldn't be allowed around kids in any setting; the school should do a much better job vetting the people they employ. The sporting programs my son participated in and wanted to participate in have lots of room for improvement, the wrestling program should start with a coach that hasn't been dismissed / resigned from the 2 high schools closest to FUMA. Fork Union in my opinion is a place for bad kids or for kids that have exhausted their public school opportunities. The good: the one subject per semester is a great idea and would work well in any school setting. read more

Our son has attended for the past 4 years and we have nothing but praise for this school. In those 4 years we have seen continual strives for improvements and changes in everything. This is not a reform school for wayward boys, nor is it so militarized that they are producing mini soldiers. They help the boys reach their individual potentials, and help them gain that confidence young men need to master as they move on in life. Personal responsible for their actions, in everything they do. They are required to study nightly during a set time frame which helps them get into a routine of setting aside time every day. Class sizes are small compared to public school 8:1, so they definitely don't get lost in the crowd. They are not allowed cell phones on campus, which is a big plus in helping with distractions. They have school issued laptops, with internet monitored. Individual phones in their rooms, with TV's. You can always contact them within a time frame nightly, or leave a vm. They are able to come home practically every other week, so they are never away from home for long; if you live locally. But many a weekend our son has brought home friends who reside out of state so they could relax in a home setting. As with ALL schools, public or private you are dealing with young people. And with that said, situations come up whether its illegal drugs, harassing, etc. I have seen in our 4 years there that they have progressively taken more control in those areas. They have random drug test done on the cadets, lying will get you expelled, etc etc. It is an excellent school, not perfect but far from being sub par. I have seen continual improvements in every area year after year. The bottom line your son has to give the school a chance in order to succeed. It offers a world of opportunities but he has to be willing to try... read more

I sent my son to FUMA after a year and a half struggling in high school. He was losing confidence in his academic ability and not participating in school activities. I needed to do something to turn around the situation or he wasn't going to graduate high school. I was hesitant to send him to FUMA because he would be away and I wouldn't see him every day. Also, I had in my mind that military schools were for boys with discipline issues - my son had none of these issues. Well, I made the hardest decision in my life and enrolled him at FUMA in his second semester sophomore year. It also turned out to be the best decision I have made for his teen years. He turned his grades around and his GPA began to rise. I had hope he was going to graduate and even go to college! Also, I saw a change in him as he began to take on extra responsibilities and participate in extracurricular activities. He was becoming a leader and enjoying it. I can't say enough for the faculty, administration, and staff. His teachers really cared about him and went the extra mile to ensure he understood his subjects. The guidance counselors are phenomenal working both with the students and parents to choose the right colleges, preparing applications, preparing and taking the SAT and ACT tests, and ensuring transcripts reach colleges. FUMA also has first-rate nurses who really care about the boys. TAC officers and upper class men ensure the safety of the boys. Being a Christian school, the culture is one steeped in love and faith. My son was exposed to a wide array of students at FUMA that he would not have otherwise met and befriended. Students from different countries, states, academic abilities, athletes, and all economic, social, and race/ethnic origins. So what was the outcome for my son with a FUMA education, he doubled his GPA by graduation and is now enrolled in college. I have observed that he is much more prepared for college than his peers - he is independent, confident, deals well with stress, balances multiple priorities (e.g., classes, a job, and extracurricular activities), and overall appears much more mature. If you decide to choose FUMA for your son, I honestly do not believe you will regret it. read more

My son went to FUMA for 1.5 years. There are some pros and some cons. We withdrew him because he was suspended, and rightfully so, but he was going to be villainized and made an example of - in other words, should they have "allowed" him back to school, he would have had to serve countless hours of "extra duty" and be made to feel subservient - not exactly what my son deserved. Furthermore, when he was suspended (during covid - when virtual schooling was an easy switch to filp), he was not allowed to participate in school - which we pay for!!!! Furthermore, another boy who was in the same boat, didn't get the tribunal response for weeks (missing school) and wasn't allowed back until the following year - there fore wasting parents money and the boys time. The issue at hand unquestionably broke school rules. SO..? Throw him out? Make us beg to come back and have our sons tortured; no thank you. Other observances: 1- they lied during the initial interview saying that if we enrolled him and decided we did not like it, then we WERE NOT on the hook for a full year of tuition. When we got the contract, it said the opposite. 2-Teachers are all over the board. I do think they are sort of a bored set of hill-billys - that we entrust our sons to. 3-Yeah - my son didnt have any disciplinary issues and they called us. Said get him on a plane now. Didnt ensure he spoke to us. Put him in a car and dropped him at the curb at the airport - that day. Not sure thats a cool thing to do. Have a real problem with that. Overall, my son HATED it so much there that I think hes straightened out (fingers crossed). For the first time, after wasting piles of our hard earned money, we have him registered in public school and i see him wanting it to work. So perhaps, the SHIT they are exposed to at FUMA, makes them appreciate them being home. I have heard of rape, drugs, etc... Do keep that in mind if you are considering sending your son there. read more

Fantastic school that prepares young men well! Very happy with how much they work withers young men and the results.

Our dear friends sent their son ( and our neighbor ) to fork Union military academy and it was a fabulous experience ! We went down to visit him and saw a well groomed group of well spoken young men being brought up with manners and values and and a respect mentality. The campus was clean, neat and well kept. The curriculum was vigorous and physical fitness was stressed by the institution. Our friends swear that the entire experience was life changing for all involved and we were very impressed by Fork Union . read more

I must say that Fork Union has completed our mission for what our son attended Fork Union for. This is a wonderful school great organization. I would send my son back again if he had another year and highly recommend to others. i think people with complaints are not looking at the big picture and the amount of young men that went on to college speaks volumes. despite some of the negativity this school like any school is not for everyone. every person or every organization will have some faults and i can honestly say that if Fork Union have any they try their hardest to fix it right away. most of these young men will be friends for life because of the experience they enjoyed together. I am so happy our son will have a Fork Union Diploma read more

My son has been at Fork Union Military Academy for only 4 months, and it is hands down the best decision I've ever made as a parent (and I consider myself a pretty top-notch parent). I'm a retired Georgia Public Education teacher from a suburban area where students want for little, and families are very involved in their children's lives. I wanted public education to work for my son, but it wasn't. I have a great kid. No drugs, no office referrals, plays sports, decent grades when I stood over him, loved by teachers, but things were missing. The way I phrase it is- "Nothing was particularly wrong, but nothing was right either." My son wasn't thriving. He wasn't being taught to be a man, head of a household, how to hold his own, and be independent! Yes, it was expected in our home, but we were drowning in all the other "stuff" being thrown our way. Stuff that didn't matter like phones, the latest shoes, 500 different strategies to solve an equation, common core standards, EOC Tests, tests, and more tests. I needed a school who DID BOYS! I found that at Fork Union. The one subject plan is a genius idea for boys. The teachers at Fork do "good old fashioned teaching," again excellent for boys! The structure and discipline that the TAC officers and staff provide give the boys a sense of pride that is second to none. The Christian atmosphere and chapel that is part of the weekly regimen is a huge plus! My son loves the coaches, teachers, staff, TAC officers, not sure there is anyone he doesn't like (maybe a cadet or 2 get on his nerves lol)! I'm so thankful that God led us to this campus. My son is thriving, and that makes this Mama happy! read more

Great if you what your kids to come and learn from 7th -12th grade you should bring them to this academy

Awesome school if your son needs to reach his potential

I was a young man struggling to find a fit, making low grades in public school and constantly running with the wrong crowd. Then I heard about FUMA. I actually asked my parents to send me which they happily agreed. I attended FUMA for six years and it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I have had a very successful career in aerospace engineering and I can say that I owe it all to FUMA. read more

Save your money. This place is horrible for what you are paying. There technology is out of date. Most of the teachers are subpar and regularly changing. They promise classes that they do not have the facilities or faculty to teach. They do not have any respect for parents as they change requirements up to the first day of school, alter class schedules without notice and force the kids to parade on Mother's Day, despite Mother's Day being one of the few leave weekends. There are so many great private schools out there, do the the research and give your son a quality education. read more

I was honored to work out for legendary basketball coach Fletcher Arritt before going off to play college basketball. Years later my little brother enrolled at FUMA. My little brother spent two years at FUMA before going to college on a full basketball scholarship. He played on the high school and prep basketball team. My little brother played for coach Arritt in his final season of coaching prep (he retired in 2012 after 42 years). I frequently visited my brother on certain weekends while he was enrolled at FUMA (family have certain visiting days). FUMA was a great choice academically. My brother was prepared for college thanks to FUMA. The prep school experience made him a better young man (discipline).The FUMA staff was generous to my family. FUMA is a great choice for academics and developing young men. FUMA has the nation's top post grad football program as well. Folk Union Military Academy is a great school. read more

We made the difficult decision to send our son away to FUMA and so far this has been the best decision I've ever made for him & probably the best money I've ever spent. My son is a smart kid & spent his whole life in public school and always fell just under the level of the "gifted kids"...the longer we spent in public school, he was being pushed towards mediocre & I felt that he wasn't seeing him self as capable or as valued as the "gifted kids". He pulled A's & B's his freshman year in public school but struggled with C's in geometry & a teacher who wouldn't bother to answer emails & return calls. We knew he wasn't living up to his potential & felt that he would benefit from a more structured environment, where he would learn self discipline...I felt that if we had stayed in public school, he wouldn't have had the discipline to do well in college & wouldn't have gotten into his top choices. It's refreshing to be in an environment where kids are safe, teachers care, and they're not inundated by social media. At FUMA, they demand excellence and they get it! My son's first term at FUMA he earned a 94 in Algebra 2 & he felt great about himself & realized that if he worked hard, he could achieve. He has told us repeatedly that the teachers explain things so much better at Fork Union than the instruction he was getting in public school. He's made real friends-not online friends & is part of a community where they reward positive behaviors. I can't say enough about this school & I'm grateful for the people there! read more

Fork Union Military Academy shared our cadets name and our email address with another cadet's parents without our written or verbal consent. We received a letter with incorrect information under the RE: our students name was incorrect in the letter and the staff representative referred to the month of May as Mary. FUMA sent us another letter to keep in touch with an advisor and provided the advisor's email address but the email was incorrect. We had to find the correct email address from their website. FUMA sent us a weekly report of our son's attendance and he never missed a class however the Instructor wrote us that our cadet missed several classes. The system FUMA used for attendance is not utilized by their staff. FUMA sent course offerings for the upcoming fall but their staff did not total the classes number correctly. Each of these incidences came from a different department and staff member. So, the most coincident information you will receive is incorrect information. If this is how their superiors lead by example you might want to strongly consider another private school. read more