Hargrave Military Academy

Hargrave is known as a National School of Character We are the only high school in Virginia accredited by Character.org. Our unique Leadership Program extends into high school and post-graduate programs with the 18-week Leadership 1 and Leadership 2 courses. Our short-term goal is to inspire our Cadets to want to learn and grow as leaders. The outcome of these formal courses is to develop Cadets into leaders that:

• Strive, to be men of character and take action when required.
• Want, to be positive and contributing citizens in their communities.
• Desire, to make a difference and promote change.
• Ability, to communicate effectively and make sound and ethical decisions.

Hargrave Supporting Principles:

• College Prep Offer a comprehensive program of college preparatory studies that sets a foundation of knowledge for lifelong learning.
• Creativity Encourage creative abilities in drama, music, writing, and other co-curricular programs.
• Habits Build habits in study, self-discipline, and time management practices that pave the road for success beyond Hargrave.
• Structure Establish a structured schedule that allows enough time for study, athletics, recreation, rest, and spiritual growth.
• Athletics Provide opportunities for physical development and to teach sportsmanship through team sports, intramural programs, and recreational activities.
• Respect Foster an environment in which students respect others regardless of their socio-economic background, racial or ethnic identity, gender, political viewpoint, or religion.
• Military Maintain a military program that provides organization, structure, routine, discipline system, and leadership opportunities to challenge and develop Cadets’ potential.
• Potential Help students develop their individual potential and gain self-confidence through an appropriate recognition of achievements.
• Faith Provide faith development through individual prayer opportunities, voluntary participation in Bible study, dedicated devotion time, and access to spiritually-based extracurricular activities.
• Democracy Develop in the students an appreciation for and understanding of the American democratic process.

Hargrave Military Academy is an exceptional private military boarding school steeped in tradition that carries its legacy through the lives of our alumni and their contributions to their communities and society as a whole.

Since 1909, Hargrave’s founders recognized the need to reinforce an educational experience with Christian values. The entire Hargrave team embraces the importance of spiritual development and interweaves the spiritual component throughout the Cadet’s time at Hargrave. The result is a Cadet who is grounded in Truth and applies a sound moral and ethical perspective to life’s decisions. When a Cadet graduates, they will have earned the respect of those that have come before, those with whom they made the journey and will forever be a part of a long standing family of leaders.

Our fundamental premise is to use the military model within a college preparatory boarding school environment to develop young men into leaders of character prepared for lifelong success.

The military model approach uses structure, routine, accountability, leadership, teamwork, decision making and personal pride as vehicles to holistically develop a young man to their fullest potential. Our four pillars of academics, sports/athletics, character and spiritual development are fully integrated into a challenging and purposeful curriculum. Our Cadets graduate and are not only prepared for the rigors of college, but prepared to face life’s journey with determination, perseverance and resolve.

The Hargrave man is confident and focused to achieve any goal they set. Our holistic approach to development across the four pillars results in a young man who is a leader with strong work ethic, sound principled morals and an appetite for lifelong learning. While attending Hargrave Military Academy, the Cadet is surrounded by a genuinely concerned cadre of teachers, coaches and staff dedicated to their individual success, ready and willing to work through challenges to see the Cadet’s potential realized.