Riverside Military Academy

RMA has been a wonderful for our son. In public school, his grades were terrible. He would not do and/or turn in work (even work he had completed!). Doing fine on tests but getting lousy grades. He even failed a class. Nothing (organization coach, educational psychologist, teacher meetings, yelling, restrictions, no access to electronics) had a discernable effect on him. His options for the future were slipping away. By the end of 9th grade, we thought he might not graduate on time. There are many military boarding schools in our state (coed, all-boy, large, small, with post-graduate programs) but none impressed us as RMA did. The staff was welcoming, the campus beautiful. RMA is big enough to have a wide range of academics and extracurriculars.. Cost is on par with schools closer to home. We hate that RMA is 10 hours away but are glad that he can row there (we found only two military boading schools in the US that offer crew). The change in our son is remarkable. He has an A avg and is excited about his future. He is looking forward to his junior and senior years. He feels good about himself and is becoming the student we knew he could be. A hard but good decision.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been attending Riverside since my Freshman year and for the time I've been here it's helped me change my whole outlook on life. The only way you could ever get a negative experience from here is going into the school with a bad attitude and not wanting to achieve anything. I had my outlook on it like that before I came, but when I got here, I instantly felt a sense of responsibility and integrity. Yes, the 30 day ROC cycle was difficult, but it proves the point that you are new and have to learn everything and get accustomed to new things and surroundings. It annoys me when people call Riverside a prison because its only going to be as good as the work and effort you put into it. It can work for you and your sons, just have the positive outlook and I'm sure you'll love it and see the change like my parents did! Come here!

Riverside has been great for my boys! My oldest son, now a Junior, arrived on campus as a complacent student who barely passed 8th grade. RMA has transformed him into a motivated student with a 3.5 GPA, leadership responsibilities, Nat'l Honor Society, Varsity Football, etc. Now he's receiving recruitment letters from Major southern universities. My other son who is a Sophomore at RMA arrived as an already-motivated student. He's taking AP classes, ranked in the Top 5 of his class, Asst. Drum Major, Varsity Tennis, Raiders Team, etc. He is already receiving letters from colleges like Emory and Vanderbilt. My youngest son also attends RMA and has consistently ranked in the Top 5 of his class since the beginning of the year. The boys complain about the food, which hasn't impressed me at all since changing food service companies last year. In all, RMA is a great school for students who are willing to adapt and change themselves. The school has a slogan that reads, "An Opportunity For Success". RMA is a prep school, not a reform school. Parents need not expect remarkable changes in their sons unless their sons are willing to do the work.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is a joke! Most of the teachers are only there for a check. Please only place your child here as a last resort! The President Col. Benson is clueless as is the Commandant LTC Jerrard, only if your family is wealthy will you matter. The campus is great, however education is secondary. This is the place where parents put there children because they don't have time for them and it shows. BUYER BEWARE! The turnover of teachers and students is very high. Most of the key personnel here have no idea what they are doing. The inter school communication is almost non-exsistent. If you love your son do not place him here, get him a therapist instead. Again Do Not Leave your son here, unless you have No Other Options!
—Submitted by a parent

I was looking for a boys' oriented education for my son as he was becoming more disconnected from school and his fellow students. He had gone from being the "Top Boy" to a C average. I also wanted a school that went beyond academics and focused on the whole child - mind, body, and guidance in what it is to be good and what it is to strive toward a common good. The strict expectations and discipline are tough and expectations are high. But once over the initial hurtle, the environment has worked wonders to get my son back on track and headed into adulthood prepared to be both a leader and a good citizen. The math program is excellent, small size that moves the advanced kids along at a rapid pace covering a year and a half of material in the year. The literature classes are designed for boys and my son who had previously refused to read the assigned books is now in honors lit. All departments contained highly dedicated professionals who care deeply and do what they can to insure success. The school is not perfect, but when issues arise they are handled in an open and respectful manner. RMA encourages parent -teacher-staff interaction, the dean blogs, and a RMA Facebook groups.
—Submitted by a parent

The school on my tour recently by far exceeded my expectations of a school for boys. The staff - super friendly and the curriculum is what I was interested in hearing more about for my son. I thought it was the best choice for my son and was happy to enroll upon acceptance.
—Submitted by a parent

Riverside Military Academy is a spectacular school for young men. It is first class in every way. Three of our sons attend Riverside - one graduated last year. We couldn't be happier with the school. Our boys love it there and are truly part of something very special - that only a first rate military academy with caring leadership, faculty and alumni can offer. Riverside has 103 years of history and success to build on. 100% of it's graduates are accepted at colleges throughout the countryand the world. The campus is awe inspiring and is nicer than any prep school and most colleges. The athletics in so many sports adds to the cadets' incredible experiences at Riverside. Riverside is first class! It turns boys into men who are honorable and respectful. It is not training ground for the military (although many cadets attend service academies); it is training for life.
—Submitted by a parent

I attended RMA for six years and it has done wonders for me! It helped teach me and guided me to being able to reach my full potential. RMA showed me that everyone has potential to do well and exceed extremely well, but they take it a step further. They help show you how and spend quite a bit of time doing it! Students who clam that they are unfair or that it was too difficult are the students that chose to fight authority instead of respecting it and learning how it works.
—Submitted by a student

I attended RMA at the end of my sophmore year and into my Junior year. When taking a tour I was impressed with the excelent facilities and the amazing athletic department. when I ended up attending there the place felt more like prison. It seemed that they were punishing everyone for no legitimate reason. there were some positives but dorm life left much to be desired.
—Submitted by a student

I am a parent of a cadet who started a few weeks into 2nd semester and he is thriving. Th eopportunities for physical fitness, JROTC and leadership give the boys the oportunity to grow in so many ways.Especially boys who love the outdoors, but may not have a passion for varsity sports.
—Submitted by a parent

October, 2007 My son was not excelling or even trying in Public School. He is achieving outstanding grades, is taking initiative to get involved in activities (never before) and his leaders say he is a model cadet. He is thriving in the atmosphere of discipline and everyone there knows how to bring out the best in your son. My son did not want to go there, but he is doing great and would probably tell you that is where he needs to be. The facilities are better than a lot of colleges. The level of academics are impressive - the things he is being asked to do in Lit class I did not do until college. He has also gotten a lot more social, was always a loner before this. We couldn't be happier and all the schools claims are very modest - what they can do.
—Submitted by a parent

My son made the choice to attend RMA, in the fall of 04. We questioned his decision, as he has never shown an intrest in learning, other than at his own pace. He has made a 360, in his learning, self dicipline, confidence, and goal achieving. Colonel Hughes is a brilliant man, who has a God given gift for bring out the best in young men. We are thankful that God gave our son the courage to want more for himself and showed him where he should go to achieve it. RMA is truly a school of excellence.
—Submitted by Jennifer Whitmire, a parent

RMA has exceeded our expectations. We were skeptical of the claims they made but they do what they say they will do. Our son has thrived under the structure and discipline offered by this outstanding institution. In reality they do not tell the half of what this school will do for anyone's son. It is the finest thing we have provided for our son. Great school, great facilities, great expectations for their cadets.
—Submitted by a parent

RMA is a boys only boarding school,grades 7-12. They follow Army guidelines. They have a strict discipline policy, which keeps the boys focused. Our son is active in their sports program and is on the honor roll. Class size is under 15 students. The campus has been entirely rebuilt within the last 5 years. It is an awesome facility. We are very happy with our decision to send our son there. Seniors earned over $1.8 million dollars in scholarships. RMA has a Jr. ROTC program, also. You can visit their website, Riverside Military Academy@cadet.com.
—Submitted by a parent

Riverside teaches plenty of dicipline, organization and some learning skills. Lacks counseling, specially counseling to guide the students into the right college, the best career.
—Submitted by a former student

Riverside provides a 24 hour a day environment for success that boys and young men cannot get in most schools. Your son will live with cadets from other parts USA as well as other countries.
—Submitted by a parent