Fork Union Military Academy Review

Attached force union in 1994-1995. It was hard for me being away from my family and friends for so long. But after experiencing the military disipiline. I found that this was the right place for me and even saw it in my grades. After spending four years at a public high school. Now I work for a military school in Valley Forge.

Fork Union Military Academy is not worth it. The school had its season of success, but that season is over. With major shifts in administration over the last year, every department fell into complete chaos. Students, while generally treated fairly well, had to endure an unsettling, stressful, corrupt change in power that has made the school almost unbearable. If your child has hopes of a strong academic, Christian environment throughout his high school career, FUMA is absolutely not the place. Many alumni from decades ago will provide rose-tinted counters to these points, but they did not experience FUMA in its present state. I am relieved to have finished my time there and absolutely do not think it was worth the almost constant stress I had to go through while attending. The school is heading in a terrible direction, and the leadership is only speeding the process forward. This can be seen by the huge number of employees who resigned after the 2018-19 school year. Look elsewhere.

I have created an anonymous google account in order to post a candid review of the school without falling victim to the vigilante responses seen on other low-ranking reviews.

Also, I d like to provide a CONCRETE example of the school s shifting level of honesty. On the popular review website Niche, 18/27 of the 5 star reviews for FUMA are time stamped as being posted 2 months ago... the other 9 are spaced out over multiple years. This is almost certainly an attempt to boost the school s rankings artificially rather than implement policy that would earn the institution legitimate top marks.

I wish nothing but the best for the future of the school. I hope FUMA is able to be salvaged from its current state, but KEY leaders are destroying what is left. The majority of people with whom I worked during my time at FUMA were great, but the ones who were toxic sullied my experience. I hope that both prospective and current parents see this review and heed my advice. I hope that members of the FUMA staff see this review and work to improve the school back to its former state. This review is not meant to destroy FUMA s credibility; rather, it is to provide an honest view from a recent student into what cadet life actually looks like.

I hope things improve. I do not want to see my alma mater die out like so many other similar schools have.

I plan on sending my son, but I am curious as to how often he will be able to communicate with his family with a laptop, or a cell phone and how often he can visit us.

My Cousin, Scott Clagett went to Fork Union, it did what Young Harris College did for me. Both the cream of the crop, instilled values, and an excellent education, thrilled Scott went there and Hope some of the rest of the family follows. Stewart and Andrea Belisario, think of Bailey and Blane at least go visit!

Enjoyed my three years at FUMA from 83 to 85. Tough at times but very rewarding. I wish I could go back and play lacrosse again.

AS A CURRENT CADET: the one thing about this school I like is the school system, but other than that there's nothing else. the amount of power they give some of the students are absurd. plus this place does not prepare you for college. some of the staff really care about you

I will like to get in touch with this school well my fiance goes there when he was younger and he's in the military and soon he will come back home so Will like to know if there's some pictures of him to make and album surprise for him from were he starts until know please and thanks in advance

The best all-male military boarding school in the nation!

The negative comments that I read on here are laughable. Some "anonymous" source talked about the aging infrastructure, which nearly made me burst out laughing: This school has a brand-new state of the art $10 million+ super dorm just built, digitally-wired too.They have a Planetarium! (How many colleges even have one?) They have a training facility that Joe Theisman, the former Redskin QB (whose son went there), said was better than the athletic facilities at Redskin Park. NFL Films produced a video on this school because over 42+ (and counting) NFL players have come from this school (as well as NBA & Olympic athletes). Their relatively Indoor AND outdoor track are beautiful. They even have yet ANOTHER new athletic facility, a competition-level swimming pool. I even know of a current Supreme Court Justice whose son went there. Their unique One-Subject plan brings many there. The food was great when I ate there recently during a visit. And I don't believe anyone ever slept in class for very long (this is a military school.) Oh, yeah, the President is a retired Admiral who commanded one of the US Military Academies prior to coming to FUMA. I have visited EVERY MILITARY ACADEMY IN VIRGINIA. NONE HAVE THE FACILITIES & PROGRAM THAT THIS SCHOOL HAS. Full stop.

*edit, since I wrote this review, things have changed massively and its not the same place at all ... whole different school ... take this with a grain of salt:

Speaking as an alumni, class of 2006, I will say what was a consensus amongst my former cadets: It's not a great place to be at, but it's a phenomenal place to be from. To add to that: it had it's many ups and many downs, but I have never for a second regretted spending 3 years of my life and graduating from here. Cadet Connor reporting out.

Be quiet owner, whenever someone posts a One star review, what you say is basically "we don't believe you" all your doing is defending your school

I don't know much about this school yet, but I'm trying to get into it this 9th grade and be in it alll through out high school.

I have not be there. As a member of the military i like to know if i can get my uniforms sowed there and ID cards fixed??

I write from the perspective of a student, who attended Fork Union during 8th grade and the entirety of high school. I went on to graduate from the Academy as well. Challenges and diversity will abound for those young men, who choose to attend the school. However, the academic curriculum and military structure will teach you to meet those demands head on. You will learn attention-to-detail, focus, and academic knowledge on a daily basis that will be invaluable as you progress into higher education and careers. There are instructors and teachers at the academy that deeply care about your success at the school and wish to prepare you for the rigors of life beyond high school. And, they will prepare you for both with a balancing act of disciplining and nurturing on an individual basis. Along the way, you will struggle and grow. Eventually you will find your stride, embrace challenges, meet lifelong friends, and leave the school far better off than your public school peers. I would highly recommend parents and young men consider Fork Union Military Academy.

I haven't gone to high school yet, but when I do it'll be here

I was blessed with excellent parents that cared enough about me to see to it that I got the best education possible. I spent 4years at Fork Union and got the best foundation to build what I consider to have been a wonderful life.It was here that I learned to carry myself like a man should,to accept responsibility for ALL my actions, and to appreciate everything and everyone around me as the valuable and unique entity they are.

I went to this school as a teenager. It was the best thing that happened to me. Taught me a lot in a short time. Excellent head start for college!

My parents put me in this school and When you get in trouble at this school they take away your shower privileges and beat you. I was but naked and they hit me with meter sticks. There is multiple Law suits open against them. Research before you send your kids to get beat

Fork Union changed my life for the better. They taught me how to discipline myself and focus on accomplishing difficult academic goals. I'm so thankful that I had the opportunity to attend Fork Union. It wasn't easy to adjust from the easy public school life to a more regimented daily schedule but I did adjust and I'm better off for it. I also credit my academic success in college to Fork Union. They really changed my life's trajectory and I'll always be thankful.

Given the aging infastructure and classrooms, this school is grossly inferior to so many in the area is science and technology. The school regularly changes the course schedules without notice and/or concern for the young men's needs or academic interests. There is bully and fighting at a much higher level than I have seen or heard of at other "christian" schools.

Fork Union was terrible. I have slept through most of my classes and somehow I still manage to pass. The whole discipline, focus, and scholar thing is exaggerated. The food and living situation was so so. With the kind of money my parents spent, I thought I was going to get organic whole foods daily, instead I was offered GMO foods and lots of grains. I felt sick mentally and emotionally most of the time I was there. I don't recommend you sending your child to Fork Union Military Academy.

Fork union changed the path of my life as a young man. The mission of the school is to take young men and provide them with structure, discipline, purpose. Special thanks to Rob Feathers, John DeVault, and Steve Macek. You guys are phenomenal people and I know there are many families thankful for your dedication to their children. God bless.

Best place I have ever been to. I love the people who work here, and I love the classroom environment. Not only do I focus more, but I am also able to learn on things that I never thought or would have thought I needed help in (and that's not just for academics). I am blessed to have Fork Union in my life at this time. Go FUMA!

-You're the best Admiral Burhoe. :D
Written by: Xiao Xiao

Our son wasn't happy here. We took him out and sent him to international school. He is now doing much better oversees. For the price of admission I expected more from this school. They have failed to meet our expectations.

What a difference this school has made! My son has excelled academically, physically, spiritually, and most importantly in his self esteem, which I did not even realize was lacking. Best decision he ever made, and he looks forward to returning next year for 8th grade. I have a wealth of respect for all the faculty and what they bring to these cadet's futures.

I am truly lucky to have attended this school. Not only did I receive a great education, they instilled honor and integrity. Fitness, self discipline, teamwork, and pride are among some of the values that I appreciate every day. I learned precision drill that a USMC drill sergeant could find no fault in. I wouldn't trade the experience and education at FUMA for anything, as it helped to form the man that I have become.

David Roach
Retan Rifles
class of '85

If you get in trouble they chain you to a tent. i got whipped for trying to juul behind the tents the kids who got in trouble had to sleep in. Some tried to kill himself during rife practice - I made it 5 stars cause you guys seem nice

Great Institution with an outstanding athletics program.

We sent our son to Fork Union and the staff have been excellent. They have done everything possible to support our son during his time there and we are so appreciative of Ocker, Warren, Moss and the rest of the team/school staff. Thank you FUMA

1990-94 Adolescents either develop a sense of self-worth at the expense of those labeled inadequate or become inconsequential themselves.The majority of cadets are sensed as flawed. There can only be a certain number of cadets to fill the limited ranks. The ratio is 10:1. FUMA churns out a significant number of victims, used as pawns to create a kid-army. The corp needs privates, corporals, sergeants, lieutenants, and commanders. Only some of the students can become successful, respectable, extroverted, confident. The rest of the students are expendable, shamed. Speaking is not encouraged. Most remain ego bait used daily to feed sargents, lieutenants, and commanders. Physical movement is highly limited. Cadets are not helpful to each other. The school uses fear to control. FUMA has a reputation for housing troubled, undisciplined youths. The environment is unfriendly. Unfortunately a chain of command which demands "respect" amongst adolescents, perpetuates emotional and mental abuse. The atmosphere revolves around judgement, punishment, humiliation and intimidation. CONSCIOUS DISCIPLINE would require a far greater effort. Its extremely rare for parents or institutions to have the time, energy, or knowledge to attempt. FEAR is easier in the short term, but it destroys relationships in the long term. My father, brother, and uncle all attended, so I was forced to also. Some cadets use marijuana and alcohol. DIRTY T-shirts and underwear go to N.C. to cut costs. After a week clothes return, smelling worse. Everyone's dirty mesh bags pile into an industrial sized washer. The whites come back pink and wrinkly, smelling foul. Two pairs of dress pants are issued. One of those pairs are strictly for parades. Pants take a week to be cleaned and returned. So your stuck with one pair of pants all year. Just disgustingly greasy, unoticeable. No outside time after 6:15pm, limited movement in small shared rooms.
For me, after a few years I began to believe I was deserving of my low self esteem. And you will too, unless a ranking cadet recommends you for leadership the next year. But you will not know until you arrive the next year.
The officers wear different uniforms and hats so they can be identified from a distance. They must be saluted if walked past. Most cadets are undeserving of authority over themselves or others. It's the Baptist God's will. Suicide has happened at FUMA. There are fights. My senior year a cadet died after an altercation. I remember hearing the helicopters landing. It's a depressing existence. There's no privacy.
The socially respected are enticed to be extraordinary and immune from the belief they are failures, instead they feel capability and deserving of admiration. You will be taught how to do the simplest tasks. Everything is supervised and inspected daily, diminishing any sense of responsibility, pride or significance. Emotional intelligence is null. Emotions are frowned upon and made to be imaginary or weak. Options to learn or experience new things outside of a military environment are null. No musical instruments, tools, electronics, cooking. As an adolescent develops physically and mentally during this critical time at Fork Union they are reminded of their stature and place in life. Unfortunately depending on one's status in the hierarchy, the pre-frontal cortex and cerebellum are growing again. During the teenage years and throughout puberty the cerebellum and frontal lobe are developing the hard wiring for controlling, planning, working memory, organization, and modulating mood. During this particularly important stage of brain development what teens do, or do not do, can affect them for the rest of their lives. The cerebellum is also a part of the brain that changes well into adolescence; augmenting social-skills and decision-making. It's not a healthy environment but its easy to get honor roll obviously with the one subject plan. The transition to college has failed many. Now, 25 years later, it seems like yesterday.

I attended FUMA for 6 years and at first had a difficult time being away from my family & friends but that didn't last too long once I got involved in sports & other activities. I found the faculty & administration to be very supportive and they became my second family. While at FUMA my parents were going through a divorce & I don't think I could have made it if I didn't have my peers & some of the faculty to lean on when times were tough. Anyone who has served in the military can relate to the bonds that are formed when everyone is treated the same & they go through the ups & downs together. I firmly believe everyone needs structure & disciline in their lives & I gained that while @ FUMA. Going to a military school is not easy because a lot of people don't like too be told what to do & have to follow rules all the time. If you learn to accept what FUMA is trying to do then when you leave there, you will be a better person in every sense of the word. I believe that the person I am today is a direct result of my time @ FUMA plus what my parents instilled in me. There is nothing wrong with looking someone in the eye when you talk to them or say yes sir or no sir when speaking with a person. These are traits that are reinforced by the faculty along with a hundred other positive attributes that everyone should have & use in their daily lives. Lastly, if something is hard and pushes you to be your best then you come out the other side a stronger & better human being.

My son attended FUMA for all 4 years of his high school. It made the world of difference - academically, athletically , and made him an all round better person. Thank you FUMA.

UPDATE (Aug 15) : We enrolled our son at FUMA earlier this year and are very pleased with the school thus far. The One Subject plan was an adjustment as was the daily routine but there was ample support to help our son meet the expectations.
The administration navigated the challenges posed by the shutdown and kept parents updated almost daily. The protocols enacted by the school for the 20-21 school year to reduce the risk seem reasonable and the wonderful infirmary staff are checking the cadets daily.
If you are considering a private/boarding school because your local government school just isn't meeting the needs of your son, consider Fork Union. The stereotype of a military school as some gung-ho gladiator environment is simply not applicable here. They take seriously their mission as a Christian, college prep, military academy.

Original post:
Just toured the campus with my son. Extremely impressed with the grounds, buildings, staff, and especially the students. Would feel very comfortable sending my son to Fork Union....

Place is a hell hole, it is honestly one of the worst schools that my son has ever attended. They make it seem like it is a good school but it really is not. The place is extremely horrific. They have buildings with asbestos in them, i do not want my son to be walking around the campus past buildings with asbestos in it.
The place is going downhill, i dont care what anyone says about it. the place is so bad that the faculty say that they care about you but they really do not. This school is horrible, do not send your son here.

It is interesting to see the negative comments which mostly appear to be fake profiles. None of their stories reflect the real school.

I attended from 1962 to 1969 (before the brand new gymnasium was built). I can attest the the school is not easy, but what worthwhile thing is easy? Imagine being a 12 year old, going off to military school. I had failed the 6th grade and when I attended Fork Union, my grades came up to Headmasters List (second highest award). I learned discipline, respect, how to manage my time and how to work together as a team.

I knew many of the administrators and teachers there and have kept in touch with them and many fellow students over the years. I am willing to travel 1/4 way around the world to attend alumni day activities.

I was not a "model" student and got my share of demerits. I even got a reduction in rank my Senior year because of stupidity on my part. Even after that, I would not trade my experience at Fork Union for anything.