Fork Union Military Academy
- Private, Boarding, Baptist, All-Boys
- FORK UNION,, VA
All-Boys School
Fork Union Military Academy
- grade AOverall Grade
- Private, Boarding, Baptist, All-Boys
- 7-12
- FORK UNION,, VA
- Rating 3.81 out of 5 98 reviews
Fork Union Military Academy Reviews
Rating 3.81 out of 5 98 reviews
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School completely dropped the ball on my son's college application process. Any school who goes with a part time college guidance program does not have the best interests of their seniors in mind. No accountability in the Academic department either.
We enrolled our son in Fork Union Military Academy after seeing so many YouTube videos that touted the benefits of the one-subject program and the school. The promise of focus, structure, and accomplishment came through. He passed all his classes in this, his first year, a sophomore at FUMA.
We took advantage of their academic success program. There he found continuous support and cheers! They found novel approaches to reach him, took the time to learn about him, and flexed their approaches. I have been concerned in the past about the ability of teachers who are not Black to 'see my son' as an individual. At FUMA, they know him, challenge him to be his best, hold him accountable, and motivate him.
I am proud of what he has done this year. As a testament to the place, he is looking forward to going back in the Fall - he's proud that he's earned a promotion in rank and knows he can do even better academically. Amazing.
We took advantage of their academic success program. There he found continuous support and cheers! They found novel approaches to reach him, took the time to learn about him, and flexed their approaches. I have been concerned in the past about the ability of teachers who are not Black to 'see my son' as an individual. At FUMA, they know him, challenge him to be his best, hold him accountable, and motivate him.
I am proud of what he has done this year. As a testament to the place, he is looking forward to going back in the Fall - he's proud that he's earned a promotion in rank and knows he can do even better academically. Amazing.
Sending our son to FUMA has been the best decision we've ever made. He has thrived there in his 2 years, and we look forward to his final year and graduating. He has grown so much, as a person and a student. His grades are excellent, playing sports, and turning into an amazing young man. We are so grateful that we have had the opportunity to send him to FUMA!
Are son just graduated from FUMA . A was a bless for us , they encourage kids to be in sucefull life in body, mind and spiritual. I strong recommend
I was nervous about sending our son to a military school. However, by time we saw him at the first break it was really clear he was turning into a man. We are thankful for the opportunity to send him to FUMA.
As parents we put a very high priority on education for our children, and are very particular about where our kids attend school. We were attracted to Fork Union because of the one subject plan and couldn’t have been happier with how things have worked out for him academically.
Our son has attained his best grades and has for the first time been really enthusiastic about his studies. He also has thrived in the environment they create there for a living. He has become more active in sports than any other time in his life.
And this past year their handling of education and the pandemic was superb. They placed a very high priority on in-person education and adjusted the environment in such a positive way to make that happen. I feel that my son made strides this year he never would’ve made in virtual education. In the process, he also witnessed firsthand that if you take control of a challenging situation you can succeed.
Our son has attained his best grades and has for the first time been really enthusiastic about his studies. He also has thrived in the environment they create there for a living. He has become more active in sports than any other time in his life.
And this past year their handling of education and the pandemic was superb. They placed a very high priority on in-person education and adjusted the environment in such a positive way to make that happen. I feel that my son made strides this year he never would’ve made in virtual education. In the process, he also witnessed firsthand that if you take control of a challenging situation you can succeed.
Me personally I hate this school with a passion. I can get in trouble about the dumbest things. I wish i had the patience to tell you about everything about this school but I can't, It tears you apart to pieces and I hate that. I HATE THIS PLACE
The military part: meh
Sports: Solid - most of the coaches are good and the facilities are nice.
But ultimately this is a college prep school - and the academics rank a one star. Inexperience, underpaid, very transient staff. Worst yet is the "One Subject Plan" which is basically 5 summer school classes in succession. Remember - Summer school is watered down and so are the academics. You simply can't learn languages, read a lot of English books, do research projects, etc, in a 5 week term.
So what you have is grade inflation producing guys with 4.3 GPA's who are clocking in with 1,000 scores on their SAT's. They go to college and drop out.
Hard pass
Sports: Solid - most of the coaches are good and the facilities are nice.
But ultimately this is a college prep school - and the academics rank a one star. Inexperience, underpaid, very transient staff. Worst yet is the "One Subject Plan" which is basically 5 summer school classes in succession. Remember - Summer school is watered down and so are the academics. You simply can't learn languages, read a lot of English books, do research projects, etc, in a 5 week term.
So what you have is grade inflation producing guys with 4.3 GPA's who are clocking in with 1,000 scores on their SAT's. They go to college and drop out.
Hard pass
School has outlived its use. If you want your son to go in an environment of toxic masculinity, homophobia, close-mindedness, anti-intellectualism and bullying - this is a pretty good place. If you want a challenging curriculum, an environment that prepares you for life and to be around kids who are going somewhere (which you should be for the price at FUMA) I recommend just about any place else.
If you want to see a horrifying site go to an alumni day where you'll see what this school produces: racist bigots whose high water mark in life was being a platoon sgt. at a school in the middle of nowhere. The school teaches "intelligent design" - it's anti-science. It's Trump country. Which I'm sure appeals to people who can't afford to go there. One subject plan is the biggest joke in education. NOBODY ELSE DOES IT FOR A REASON. High turnover on staff. It's an awful place.
If you want to see a horrifying site go to an alumni day where you'll see what this school produces: racist bigots whose high water mark in life was being a platoon sgt. at a school in the middle of nowhere. The school teaches "intelligent design" - it's anti-science. It's Trump country. Which I'm sure appeals to people who can't afford to go there. One subject plan is the biggest joke in education. NOBODY ELSE DOES IT FOR A REASON. High turnover on staff. It's an awful place.
Good school good people it was an amazing school to go to for two years but like everything sometimes you just need a fresh start so i left. I found a school that better fits me.
Our son is thriving at Fork Union. It is a challenging environment but exactly what boys need. If you're looking for a boarding school for your son, consider FUMA. Unlike public government schools, boys are allowed to be boys and are surrounded by adults of character to support and guide them.
The discipline this school talks about will not help you for the future. What they think is disciple is marching and being forced not to talk or you will be punished to march more. I just don't have a clear image of how marching and getting yelled at will help you in the future.
My son has changed dramatically in his first year at FUMA. He was oppositional, difficult, and bombing out at school. Now he is excelling at school, he has plans for his future, and he can get along with parents, teachers, and friends. He has learned core values that will serve him well.
My son has only been in school for 8 months. He has made a lot of progress. I am very grateful to this school
Incredible diversity of students and teaching staff. I owe much of who I am today to my years at Fork Union. I can not say enough good things.
No regrets! If I had sons they would all attend Fork Union. Every time I struggle and win in life its because of what was instilled in me 35 years ago.
Fork Union Military Academy shaped me into the young leader that I am today. Because of the structured military atmosphere, I was able to grow in body, mind, and spirit over the past two years I have been in attendence.
TI'm a current student at FUMA and I would say to anyone thinking about going....don't! There has been a constant turnover in staff and the incoming staff are subpar. There is a lot of nepotism at FUMA so a lot of personnel are son's of, husband's of etc. They bully students and get away with it. If it weren't for connections they wouldn't have the jobs. They care more about throwing their weight around, " power" if you will. Very few quality teaching staff. There's also a jock college mentality amongst a lot of the "young" staff. I dare say it could be called hazing. People have jobs and teaching positions that should go to more qualified applicants. And the weekends are miserable!!!! You're in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do! They don't provide entertainment. When there is an off campus outing sign up is limited. And anytime you ask for anything the response is always NO!
I currently live at FUMA, and the 2019-2020 year has been a lot more difficult than it was last year. There are only 1 or 2 weekend leaves or "open campus" days every month, whereas last year there was a leave every weekend. As a boarding student, I have both good and bad things to say about FUMA.
The Good:
-I tended to get higher grades than in public school.
The Bad:
-Homesickness is a killer, especially after coming back from any major leave. The inability to see your family but once every month leaves you feeling really depressed after you finally get to make a call home
-Bullying is an issue. I see kids constantly getting picked on, but nobody really does anything about it
-Corrupt. A group of kids (a large portion of the group in the Leadership position) who snuck off campus to get drunk a week before leave was said to be "suspended for a term" but came back right after leave.
-No freedom. There is always someone telling you what to do, where to go, and who you should be.
The Good:
-I tended to get higher grades than in public school.
The Bad:
-Homesickness is a killer, especially after coming back from any major leave. The inability to see your family but once every month leaves you feeling really depressed after you finally get to make a call home
-Bullying is an issue. I see kids constantly getting picked on, but nobody really does anything about it
-Corrupt. A group of kids (a large portion of the group in the Leadership position) who snuck off campus to get drunk a week before leave was said to be "suspended for a term" but came back right after leave.
-No freedom. There is always someone telling you what to do, where to go, and who you should be.
To be in a place, nowadays, that instills values, character, integrity, morals and faith is beyond priceless. The experiences I have garnered, in the classroom, on the field and in everyday life, over the past seven years are immeasurable and unrivaled. Fork Union Military Academy has been a blessing in my life.