Randolph-Macon Academy

Randolph Macon Academy
Sonner-Payne Hall at Randolph-Macon Academy.
Sonner-Payne Hall at Randolph-Macon Academy in March of 2015.
Address
200 Academy Drive

Front Royal
,
Virginia
22630

United States
Information
Type Private (Boarding)
Founded 1892
President Brig. Gen. David C. Wesley, USAF Ret.
Commandant Mr. Frank Carlucci IV, formerly USN
Grades 6 - 12
Mascot Yellow Jacket
Programs College-Prep; Flight; Drama; Art; Band; Chorus; CyberPatriot; Middle School, JV, & Varsity Sports; Speech and Debate; Art Club; Model UN; Interact Clubs at Middle School and Upper School
Website www.rma.edu

Randolph-Macon Academy (R-MA) is a coeducational private boarding school in the U.S. state of Virginia with a military leadership component. R-MA serves students in grades 6-12.

The 135-acre (0.55 km2) campus overlooks Front Royal, and is 70 miles (110 km) west of Washington, D.C. It is one of six private military schools in Virginia.

Accreditation

Randolph-Macon Academy is accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools.

History

Randolph-Macon Academy Color Guard in New York.

Randolph-Macon Academy was founded in 1892 by Dr. William W. Smith as part of the Randolph-Macon College preparatory school program. The original 15-acre (0.061 km2) campus had one main building which housed classrooms as well as dormitories. The original building resembled a castle in its design and architecture.

In 1917 it transformed into a military school. The program later undertook the title of the "National Defense Cadet Corps."

After a fire, the new "Main Building" was built in 1927; it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987 as Sonner Hall.

Randolph-Macon Academy admitted its first African American applicant in 1971. In 1974 it became coeducational and in 1975 adopted the United States Air Force Junior ROTC program.

In 1981, Col. Trevor D. Turner (USA, Ret.) was hired as President (1981-1997). Col. Turner is credited with saving the Academy during the 1980s and 1990s.

In June 2023, Brigadier General David Wesley announced that Randolph-Macon Academy would no longer have an AFJROTC program, and would instead be developing its own military leadership program. The replacement, the Cadet Leadership Development Program, focuses on positive character development with military undertones.

Notable alumni