Hargrave Military Academy

my son attended HMA for 2 yrs. we sent a kid with mostly Cs, lacking in confidence with respect to school work and willing to find an excuse for failure. We got back a confident kid with high self-esteem , member of the honor roll society and also a recipient of the Colin Powell Leadership Award for excellence & discipline. Thanks HMA & Thanks Dr. Wheeler Baker wherever you are.
—Submitted by a parent

My son asked me to send him to a military academy his freshman year...it took him a whole year to convince me that it was the best thing for him. He is now in his senior year at Hargrave, he has grown into a thoughtful, motivated, outstanding leader! I am so proud of him, and eternally grateful to the tac officers and faculty members who have invested so much of themselves into their cadets!
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent school choice! Our son is in his first year there and it was the best decision we ever made! The leadership is excellent, from the teachers to the tactical officers, the coaches, and staff. They REALLY care about your son, unlike public high schools that are overcrowded. Small class sizes, a large number of varsity sports to get involved in, 100% college acceptance rate the past few years, etc. If you have a good kid he will be very successful at Hargrave. There are lots of good kids at Hargrave. It is definitely NOT for lazy parents as one person suggested. It is for parents who want the best for their son and are willing to make the financial and emotional sacrifice to give it to him. I love this school and even though my son does say he gets homesick, he, too, really loves it there. Excellent and highly recommended!
—Submitted by a parent

I went there one year and I still cant believe I went to that school. Worst year of my childhood. Now I'm a father of 2 beatiful kids, I dont know why any parent would not want to spend as much time as they could with there children. Hargrave is a easy out for bad and lazy parents. 85
—Submitted by a parent

Our son has attended HMA for the past 4 years (since 7th grade). We believe that it has been an excellent experience for him because of the structure, expectations, discipline, and small class size. He has not required any medication for his ADHD since enrolling due to the environment. Furthermore, occasionally he has struggled with subjects (math and Spanish) and has received additional help in the afternoons without missing his activities because the schedule is adapted for this type of situation. HMA's focus is development of the mind, body, and spirit, and they strive to mold their cadets into caring responsible young men.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended Hargrave for all 4 years of high school. He has thanked us for sending him! He played lacrosse and football the last several years, but he played soccer and tennis early on. He was in a downhill spiral with grades and was bullied at our public middle school. At Hargrave he EARNED his ranks and we saw his confidence soar. He is attending Auburn University in Alabama on an academic scholarship and teaching sailing at a YMCA camp this summer. Best money we've ever spent!
—Submitted by a parent

This school has been the world to me it has helped me succeed academically and athletically. I need the dicipline that HMA provided me with and as a result have become a very responsible and well rounded youg man. I have had the opportunity to play 8 or 9 different sports and the involvment and things to do outside of the classroom have expanded tramendously in the past 4 years that I have been there. I would recommend this school to anyone and also warn that you have to stick it out through the 9th and 10th grade. These are tough years because of the maturity of students at this age. HMA gives you what you need even if you don't particularly love it at a younger age. Class of '09
—Submitted by a student

my son is now attending fall of 2008. He loves the experience and the structure. His grades have also improved drasticly over his grades in public school.
—Submitted by a parent

we sent our child there he was bullied made fun of and did not get the greatest grades. the teachers there seem to be well educated but do not stay on top of the students like they should the public school he went to stayed on top of there students more then hargrave did over all not a good school
—Submitted by a parent

My son went last year and hated it. It had poor staf, a bad headmaster, and lots of bullies. Just a bad place to send a child even if he needs diciplen.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school! If you are considering the military when you grow up, this is the place for you!
—Submitted by a student

My son attended last year and we had multiple bad experiences. He was bullied by older students unhappy with their overcrowded schedule, and was harrassed repeatedly by one of his teachers outside of class for matters having nothing to do with class. The leadership lies repeatedly, telling parents what they think they want to hear and chases shamelessly after tuition money. There has been a huge, continuous turnover in faculty and staff due to the headmaster's poor leadership. The administration has discouraged local involvement, and has alienated the community. There have been many disciplinary irregularities where some kids have been allowed to stay after having committed worse offenses than others who have been dismissed. Stay away from this school. It has become a reform school tetering on the edge of bankruptcy.
—Submitted by a parent

Our son just graduated from Hargrave. It was a wonderful experience for both him and us, his parents. This school is definitely a college prep school. My son was in the school's advanced diploma program, graduated with honors, did excellent on his SATs and was accepted to all of the colleges he applied to. In addition, he played varsity sports and participated in several extra-curricular activities. I can't say enough about the outstanding staff and teachers. I would recommend this school to anyone who is looking for an exceptional education experience for their son.
—Submitted by a teacher

We had a negative experience. After attending spring semester 2006, my son was dismissed prior to start of fall semester 2006. Amazingly, the school continues to hold me financially liable for tuition for the entire 2006-2007 school year even though my son did not attend one day of class. If your son has discipline problems don't take the risk.
—Submitted by a parent

I have all 15 of my kids there and its the best thing that has ever happened to them. they were not bad children but it helped them to become even better then they were. One has already graduated and went on to the navy academy.
—Submitted by a parent

The academics are basic but the school is geared to troubled students. Its claim of college prep is incorrect it is closer to a reform school. Their swimming program has been seriously downgraded even after making promises to maintain a quality program. The school president makes promises then fails to deliver. Even after they fail to keep their commitments they charge full price for tuition. While the school has great potential the leadership is lacking and policies are seriously flawed.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a former student of this Academy (graduated in 2002). I honestly feel that the experience changed my life. There are caring teachers who are always ready to help a student in whatever they need. The 'military' aspect sometimes puts people off. But it is important to know that this school is not as much military as it is a prep school. Most students who graduate from HMA move into four year colleges not the service or a service academy. It is a Prep school with a military structure. The military side stresses discipline which aides immensely in the academic side.
—Submitted by Aaron Jones, a former student

I have two boys here. One since the middle school and one since 9th grade. It is a great school, academics are excellent as are sports and other activities. Don't think Military School is for discipline problems. It gives smart kids the opportunity to be smart, show leadership, and mentor to others in a collegiate atmosphere. Best decision I ever made.
—Submitted by Melissa Wynne, a parent