Fishburne Military School
- Private, Boarding, All-Boys
- WAYNESBORO, VA
All-Boys School
Fishburne Military School
- grade A minusOverall Grade
- Private, Boarding, All-Boys
- 7-12
- WAYNESBORO, VA
- Rating 3.72 out of 5 46 reviews
Fishburne Military School Reviews
Rating 3.72 out of 5 46 reviews
I was here in 2016-2017. The school's academics are solid, but the bullying, violent acts, rampant drug use, and excessive punishment will cause your student to lose there self-identity. I was hazed (beat up by a group) by a group of kids in my floor, while the lights were off in the chapel room at the school. I was also almost hazed at beginning of school, but some bystanders thankfully interjected and stopped them from hurting me. The drug use at this school is also ubiquitous. Kids openly smoke Marlboro reds in the bathrooms, and peer pressured me a cigarette to someone who never smoked offer. I was taken advantage by older cadets numerous times, and the bullying I experienced has still caused me emotional health problems to this day. I even was one time grabbed and almost thrown into toilet by another kid because I wouldn't listen to his orders. Even after all these incidents, the emotional bullying didn't stop. If you can send your kid to another school, I would strongly do so.
I am a single mother, and my son is a student in his first year at Fishburne Military School. From the time I visited Fishburne Military School to date, I cannot think of another place where I wanted my son to be preparing for his adult life. Surely, this brief note cannot really express all my heartfelt gratitude for the hard work, care and compassion surrounding my son and other students at Fishburne Military School. My son loved and accepted to attend Fishburne Military School for its creative inclusiveness linking students to outside resources to ensure that students find routes to a productive life after graduation, in case they decide not to pursue academia. Fishburne Military School work and support to the students and their parents/families is a testimony of humanity, love and support for the people and for our common environment.
My son is a junior this year. I have seen real growth and maturity developing during his tenure at Fishburne. He is also happier at school than he has ever been. It is a great fit for him. Fishburne has taught him self-reliance, independence, as well as the importance of teamwork and leadership. It is not a school for "reforming" boys- it is a school that brings out the best in a young man.
I have been at Fishburne for a little under a year now and I absolutely love it! Before I came to Fishburne, I was failing all my classes and had no direction in life. Now I have a 4.3 GPA, I am a 3-sport varsity athlete, and I am planning to apply to the United States Air Force Academy. Fishburne has made into a better athlete, student, and person. Thank you, Fishburne!
My son is in his third year at Fishburne Military School- and he has had a fantastic experience there.
He has loved playing in the band, and other activities.
His academics are on-point, and he is generally having a good time while learning, and growing up, and following his dreams.
He has loved playing in the band, and other activities.
His academics are on-point, and he is generally having a good time while learning, and growing up, and following his dreams.
Our son reported that the school is not structured or organized as presented online and around parents or visitors. He did not find the academics challenging. Also, according to him, many of the boys participated in illegal activities, especially on the weekends.
You'll find a focus on accountability at Fishburne in some ways, but the place is a shell of its former self. New leadership has led to some of the best people at the school leaving (teachers weren't even replaced mid-year) and there is no real consequence for poor student behavior for your son. If you need reform school for your son this is an OK option, but otherwise would not recommend.
The main reason I’m giving it a 4/5 is because of the people I’ve met there. You will continue to stay close with the friends you make at Fishburne for the rest of your life.
If parents think that their son will get a handle on his use of social media/technology, or not be tempted by drugs, think again. Cadets watch YouTube during class, have gaming systems in their rooms, walk around with tablets any time. Most are gaming instead of studying during nightly unsupervised Study Hall. Cadets are dog-tired from staying up all night gaming. Many classes have cadets just hanging out on their electronics. Cadets caught with vapes and worse face little disciplinary action. Drug testing has faded away because too many would be implicated-- thus too few enrolled. And the enrollment number is fishy; it hasn't been 170 in many years. More like 125.
The cadets are garbage people, but the staff is mostly stupid. Outside of Cpt Copenhaver, Goodnough, and Cranston, most of the staff are terrible. The tack officers are the worst.
Rules and policies change every hour, each day is slow, boring, and stressful, people are just cynical and rude, bullying happens often, the bathrooms are horrible, the education is trash and is treated like a secondary need, and most of the day is just standing still while the idiots in charge try to find out what to do next.
Also, most of the staff who you get along with well either leave the following year or during that following year.
Rules and policies change every hour, each day is slow, boring, and stressful, people are just cynical and rude, bullying happens often, the bathrooms are horrible, the education is trash and is treated like a secondary need, and most of the day is just standing still while the idiots in charge try to find out what to do next.
Also, most of the staff who you get along with well either leave the following year or during that following year.
The school has fired, let go, or have lost a lot of good people in the last six months, often without clear plans for their replacements. This has affected the day-to-day operations of the school, and school communication and execution have really decreased.
Significant leadership changes this year made this school very different. This school now acts as though marching in a straight line is more important than good athletics or academics.
My son will start his second year in the fall as an 8th grader. He loves the camaraderie and ability to live “semi” independent. He thrives in the environment of accountability and did well academically. The various sport teams are also a plus! Highly recommend Fishburn. I almost forgot to mention the awesome teachers, coaches and admin staff. Everyone is very responsive and available.
Love the brotherhood between the cadets and the staff cares for the well-being of each and every child.
Our son chose Fishburne Military School to assist in his goal of attending West Point. Fishburne's structured environment enables him to focus on his academics and flourish in his leadership skills. The faculty want to ensure these young men are academically successful, confident and prepared to be future leaders. The small classes and the one on one interaction create an environment for success. Although we are local, our son loves the brotherhood among the corps of cadets and chooses to stay on campus. We as parent, feel this is the best investment we have made for our son and his future.
Fishburne was an opportunity for me to make mistakes, meet new people, and learn leadership in a safe environment. To be sure, there are consequences for any actions, good or bad, within the school, but they leave you in a better place than where you started. Show up to the school with a willingness to listen, and you will excel.
Fishburne has provided a wonderful environment for my rising 8th grader. Here are just a few things that make Fishburne such an amazing school: the small classroom sizes, the fervent support of the teachers and staff, the dedication to military traditions, values, academics and the brotherhood these young men create and embrace. I highly recommend Fishburne for all young men.