Fredericksburg Academy

We moved our son, now a high schooler, from public school 5 years ago and have been very pleased with FA. He is challenged by the academics and motivated to do well. I have seen tremendous growth in his writing, critical thinking, and confidence. He participates in the arts, sports and student government and benefits from the small class size. I am curious about the previous comments regarding the athletics program. Both the girls and boys varsity basketball teams referenced in those comments made it to the finals in our athletic conference this year (the girls won & the boys placed second), and both coaches received "coach of the year" recognition! Go Falcons, Go FA!!
—Submitted by a parent

I heard this the other day from a fellow parent and have thought about it a lot since then. What she said was that she loves FA because each day she drops her son off, she knows that he will be treated like she would treat him herself. That type loving but firm care that I try everyday to give to my children, I see from their teachers. It's just a great feeling to know that in the classroom the expectations are both high and fair and the support is both encouraging and forgiving. Thank you, FA!
—Submitted by a parent

This week I attended an Upper School Senior Exhibit presentation and was amazed by the poise and confidence of the presenter, a member of the graduating class of 2013. This young woman stood before an audience of her peers, teachers, administrators, her mentor and a parent, and shared her two year journey of discovery and reflection. She shared all that she had learned about the topic she had chosen, about the application she had experienced and about the people she had met and learned from both within and outside of her school community. More importantly, she shared how she had come to discover so much about herself during this challenging and invaluable process. This young woman was my daughter; she took my breath away. If you visit campus you will see first hand how your child will be nurtured, challenged, supported and encouraged to be confident, articulate, and reflective in the classroom, on the playing fields, and beyond the campus by dedicated, invested educators.
—Submitted by a parent

During my time at FA, I felt like a contributing member of a community, rather than a number in the system like I had at the large public school I had previously attended. My success were celebrated and my failures were properly addressed so that I could learn from them. I took this attitude with me to college, where I immediately became involved in many leadership and service opportunities on campus and in the community - FA had instilled in me the sense that I had not only the right but the responsibility to be involved in shaping my school community. I did not shy away from difficult classes because FA taught me that challenges should be embraced. The education and support that I received at FA gave me a confident platform from which I felt comfortable and eager to try new things.

Fredericksburg Academy was an educational experience unlike any other in my opinion. While I never attended another school, I would not have traded a day at FA for any other place. I feel that FA has prepared me beyond I could have imagined and helped me discover myself and my passions at such a young age. FA provided me with faculty mentors, who remain friends to this day, and a supportive network for all my endeavors. The senior project at FA gave me the opportunity to define my passion and develop confidence in myself, my ideas, and my public speaking ability. Coming to UVA after 13 years at FA I felt fully prepared to get involved, seek out opportunities and continue to make the most of the experiences I have been presented with.

Athletic Program is being restructured to reduce cost. The previous writer is correct. The school is reducing cost by letting go of the professional coaching staff, and having the new Athletic Director act as a coach for some of the teams. They have already made the change for the boys varsity and are slowly following the public school cutback model. At FA, the students must take 2 sports per year, but unfortunately the sports coached by the adminstrative staff/ Athletic director are taught as recreational and not as a competitve sport. The athletics has declined dramatically over the past 2-3 months. We teachers are paid poorly here, and now administrators are being asked to do jobs that other trained professionals should be doing. Next the adminstrators will be teaching Math, to cut costs. All other private schools, like Fredeicksburg Christian have decent athletic programs, and hire professionals to teach athletics and not administrators. If you visit the school, do your child a favor and ask management about the staffing cutback in the athletics program. Just like the public schools, the cutbacks start outside of the classroom, just before it permiates into the classrm.
—Submitted by a teacher

FINANCIAL PROBLEMS AT SCHOOL. This school has been making cutbacks and reducing the staff, and putting no importance on the athletics program. For example, the school has had a difficult time keeping athletic directors, most likely due to the poor pay. They recently went through three ADs in a span of four months. But recently the administration fired the basketball coach and asked the AD to perfrom the role as the basketball coach for the next severla years, in order to cut costs. I watched a game recently coached by the athletic director, and it was very sad to watch. The team was being slaughtered by another school, and the coach seemed out of touch. I felt sorry for this parent/ AD/ Coach/ scapegoat. He is obviously being forced to do something he is not qualified to do, and it is makig a mockery of the athletics program. I also feel sorry for the kids, and I am glad my daughter's coaching hasn;t changed yet. BUT WILL IT??? I fear aditional cutbacks will be made and the girls program will be crippled as well. The varsity basketball program is now a recreational program and the school has probably saved a few pennies.
—Submitted by a parent

If you are looking for a school with top notch academics and a faculty and administration that takes a personal interest in your child, look no further! I have been a part of Fredericksburg Academy for almost 12 years and currently have 3 children at the school. The small class size has proven to be one of the greatest aspects of the school which is why FA has the highest SAT scores in the area. There are several extracurricular activities from being on a team or taking a role in one of the many plays they have each year. Simply put...this is a great place to go to school and to be part of a wonderful community. I encourage anyone who is looking to go for a tour with their child.
—Submitted by a parent

Fourteen years ago, we enrolled our first child at the Academy. It wasn't in our plans to be in Fredericksburg for more than two more years at that point. We are still here and we have since enrolled three more Falcon's. We couldn't have asked for better experiences for each of our very different children. Each child is academically challenged daily just where they need to be, but even more importantly they are supported all the way through each of those challenges. The opportunities to be involved in sports, music, arts and top notch academic programs at the same time can't be found anywhere else locally. To think of how far they have come from exploring the Polar Express, to the first Middle School Dance and then the Senior Exhibit rounding them into wonderful individuals that understand the world around them and across the oceans makes me proud to be associated with each of them. The educational opportunities to partner Lower School students with Upper School students or Middle School students with AP students and see the outcome of their work firsthand is amazing. That first child is now y attending a top notch college on a Dean's Scholarship. We wouldn't be anywhere else.
—Submitted by a parent

Administration is weak. Student body is cruel to new students. Teachers are abused and overworked. I have never seen parent involvement that is so detrimental to a school. Parents run the school and administration is powerless. Parents of current students sit on the board of trustees, which is highly unethical. The teachers are the shining stars of this institution. Too bad they are treated so poorly. Honestly, administration should be ashamed of the way they treat their faculty.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two sons that came to FA after a long tenure in the public schools, and I can tell you that there is nothing like hearing about the differences in academics "from the mouths of babes." Both were blown away by the higher caliber of teaching. They report more challenging work, more classwork outside, more projects (almost all done at school), more experiments, more writing, and less busywork. We are a no-frills middle class family, and my sons have had NO PROBLEM AT ALL with the snob factor. Just the opposite, in fact. Many of the wealthiest students there are the nicest and best mannered. Your child may not be friends with everyone, but I guarantee you, he/she will be treated well while in school. Bullying is NOT TOLERATED and is seldom attempted. I am about to launch one FA son into college, and he is far better prepared than his older brother who went through 13 years of public schooling, most of which was done in the best schools of Stafford County. I urge you, if you have ever wondered what schooling would be like free of SOL's, give FA a visit. Let them try to meet your needs. You will be pleasantly surprised.
—Submitted by a parent

My three kids attended Fredericksburg Academy since Pre-Kindergarten. My oldest is currently in college and on the dean's list. He was not a high honor student at Fredericksburg Academy but compared to other students at his current college ( One of the great colleges) his work is a quality work. He could have attended this college if he was at another school but he would not carry quality education. The faculties are caring, great, and they work closely with students to ensure high achievements in addition, the curriculum is rigorous. My next son is currently a senior and my third son will be 1st year high school next year. I know that my kids are going to college because they possess the necessary education to lead their future. If you want to secure your son's/daughter's future, this school is worth every penny. I am not a wealthy person and financial aid is available.
—Submitted by a parent

I went to school here about fifteen years ago, so it should be noted that this review is not current. But with that in mind, I have serious doubts that the culture of the school has changed much over the years. I think for me that this kind of education was not a good fit for my personality. Everything from the clothes to rules to the demerits fostered a negative environment for education. The teachers at this school were great, and they are seriously underpaid and underappreciated there. It is an insult considering how much money parents pay to put their kids through school there. There is a culture of Fredericksburg elitism as others have posted, if you're not part of it your child will be an outcast and your vote counts for less in the PTA. There's no correlation bw going to private school and getting into better colleges. There are many excellent school districts in VA which is one of the blessings of VA education. You're better off taking advantage of that. Or move to CA. This school is very expensive. When I transferred to public school, I was much happier. I was not lacking in educational opportunities either. I took AP classes and got into a good college.

Our son started at FA at the beginning of his senior year. Our family has moved around a lot over my son's high school years. Unfortunatley, we needed to make a move late summer just before the start of his senior year. As you can imagine, this was a parent's students worst nightmare. We visited with several schools but FA was the clear choice by everyone, especially our son. FA was his first choice by a mile. The school is modern and the staff is very warm and friendly. Our son was quickly made to feel like he had attended FA for the last 3 years and was part of the family. We were also pleasantly surprised that they have full time staff dedicated soley to helping students with college selections, applications, test prep, and scholarships/financial aid awards. This alone is making a huge difference for our son. We have no doubt that FA was the right choice for us and will afford our son the best academic options as he moves on to college.
—Submitted by a parent

Our daughter just started her first year at FA. After having her enrolled in public school and realizing that she was not reaching her full potential we started searching private schools. After touring FA our daughter knew that FA was where she wanted to call home. From the moment she stepped on campus she was welcomed and was made to feel like she has been there for years. She has developed friendships so quickly and for a 7th grader that is hard. She is excited about getting up and going to school. She loves all of her classes and feels the teachers are actually challenging her. The classroom ratio is small so therefore she is getting more one on one attention and is able to excel because of the personal attention the teachers give each student. I would recommend FA to any family that is looking for a school that provides a strong academic curriculum, small classroom sizes, teachers that care, a staff that is beyond helpful and friendly, and wonderful piers with positive attitudes. We had to make some life style changes in order for her to attend FA but in the end we feel that our daughter will be very prepared for college and that is what really matters. FA is the best choice
—Submitted by a parent

We made the switch to FA and drive exceedingly far to attend. I cannot be happier. My child attends the lower school and he is challenged and loved. He runs into school everyday so excited to be there that he forgets to kiss me goodbye. He comes home with work that shows me more progress than I saw all year last year in his Montessori school, which saddens me, and makes me incredibly confident in my decision to switch. i wish we hadn't wasted time. And, we were welcomed with open arms. We have more friendly contacts in a matter of weeks than we had in months of his previous school. I cannot recommend FA highly enough. What a treasure. Very worth the drive for us. Wish we'd had the sense, and the knowledge to have switched earlier.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the first year for my son who is in 11th grade and this is the best move we ever made when it comes to his education. It has been a long time since I have seen the wheels moving in his mind. He is going to be challenged with a first rate education. He appreciates the small class size and the fact that at least two sports are mandatory, no matter how good you play. I am so impressed with this different approach to education. I know he will be going off to a good college after his time in this school. We are a military family, so many times it gets harder as children get older to move around, but FA has welcomed us with open arms and are actively preparing my son for future success when he is ready to go off to college. It is worth the money you invest now in your child's education, because the benefits are endless when it counts later. They do offer scholarship opportunities and other means in making this a priceless education and affordable. FA is worth the look when it comes to a grade "A" education.
—Submitted by a parent

Our daughter has gone to FA since Kintergarten. She is now a sophmore and the education she has received from FA has exceeded our expectations. The teachers are actually interested in our childs growth, she is not just another student. The learning environment at FA encourages and challenges students from the beginning to be the best they can be. We are not wealthy, but we wanted the best we could give our daughter and felt FA was the best. We made the right choice.
—Submitted by a parent

All of my children have been at FA since kindergarten, with my older ones now in middle school and soon in upper school. It only gets better, which is amazing because it started fantastically! The teachers at FA are such committed and enthusiastic professionals who work to bring EVERY student to a full realization of his or her potential, inside and outside the classroom. The classroom environments are challenging yet supportive, the community is diverse and inclusive and an amazing village of individuals, and the students themselves are so committed to the culture of learning that flourishes at FA. I am so very thankful that FA exists in our community, and cannot imagine our family's life without it.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is nurtured and challenged every day in FA's wonderful environment. His classroom has 18 students with 2 full-time teachers. They truly know each student. School is a place where he feels safe, loved, and free to be who he is. As a parent, I appreciate the classroom projects and activities that comes home in his folder each night, showing creativity and higher-level thinking than I would expect for his age group. But most of all, I appreciate the people--the teachers--who are the reason my child is excited to go to school every day.
—Submitted by a parent