What is "rolling enrollment?"

Some military schools allow families to enroll at different times during the school year. This concept is commonly referred to "rolling admissions" or "rolling enrollment."

There are many reason a family may look to military school once a school year has already started. Most people assume it is because there are behavioral problems motivating the idea, but this is not necessarily the case. In some situations it is the realization that the school the student is currently attending is not working well. In others it may be that the family has moved to a new area and are simply investigating options.

Regardless of the reasons, the admission process in generally the same as at any other time of the year. At Fork Union Military Academy, we ask families to provide the same documentation (transcripts, references and such) as we would at any other time of year. Since the relative number of rolling admission is small, the turn around can generally be much quicker, because you are not competing with the large number of people that tend to look at more traditional times.

The schools the do offer a rolling admissions scenario will either enroll students as soon as they are able to enter, or they may employ specific dates of entry so small groups of students ca start at the same time. In general this has more to do with the structure of breaks and semesters. IF you are in need of relatively quick placement, simply ask the school how soon you could enroll if your child were accepted. It is also good to let the school know WHY you are looking so they understand that the difference between urgency and desperation!

The best way to find out if a school you are interested in has a rolling policy is to call and ask. Some schools will not post "applications still being accepted" for fear that it may actually dissuade people from inquiring. Do not take the lack of "advertising" openings as a sign that there are, in fact, no openings.

It is never really too late to enroll...

While I have been away from my blog cycle for some time due to heavy admissions activity, I thought it might be a good idea to put up a fresh post. It seems appropriate to discuss the "last minute push" in military school admissions.

I am not sure what the reason is, but as the start of the regular school year inches closer, the relative amount of admission activity increases exponentially. One might think that this last-minute burst is largely folks who are in desperation mode, because they need somewhere to place their son and the other alternatives have run out.

Truth be told, more often than not, at least in Fork Union's case, many of these late applicants are actually well qualified and come from pretty normal circumstances. The reality is that the start of the school year has just crept up on them, and they had been pondering this option all along.

So, is it too late to look at enrollment? The answer may vary by school, but in most cases you will probably find that it is in fact NEVER too late to enroll in a military school. In Fork Union's case, the only real problem spot can be if a student is looking to enroll for just one year then graduate. If the student;s GAP s sufficiently high for college placement, then there may be no issue. If, however, there is a hope for a big GPA increase, one year of school may not be enough. Those details should be discussed up front with the admission office who should be well-versed enough to give you at least a rough sketch of what the best-case scenario is.

One other consideration is that financial aid pools may have dried up over the summer, especially given the current economic conditions. This too is a discussion I would advise having before you get too involved in the process. In Fork Union Military Academy's case, financial aid is still available for the fall term.

If you are interested in fall enrollment, my advise is to not let another day go by without at least contacting the school and seeing what the availability is.

FUMA Sports Hall of Fame

I was privileged last weekend to attend our school's Sport's Hall of Fame banquet. Vinny Testaverde, Roman Oben, Shamond Williams and FUMA legend Red Pulliam were inducted. (Click links to see articles)

The event was spectacular, and it made me pause to think about how a school, located in the middle of nowhere in the state of Virginia, has been party to such an outstanding athletic heritage. What am I talking about? Check out the list of Fork Union Military Academy's NFL alumni.

I am not one who tends to get overly excited about the athletic component of our school because I don't like it to overshadow our excellent academic program, nor minimize the achievements of the non-college athletes who leave here and are equally successful in other areas of life. But for now, I think I'll go with the proverbial flow...

Congratulations to all of this year's inductees.

Testaverde Article #2

Forget everything you think you know about military school

When I tell someone I work At Fork Union Military Academy one of the first questions they ask is, "So, you deal with a lot of kids with behavior problems, right?" Probably one of the most frustrating thing about working at a military school is the misconception that they are for "troubled teens." Movies, TV and threats from our own parents have all served to reinforce this perception of boarding school as a dumping ground for "bad kids."

I think the main reason people look at our school is that they feel the environment their son is currently being educated in is not working for him. There are a variety of areas of concerns: academic, social/peer groups, athletic, and the list goes on. Let's be realistic. No one will pay for something if they can get the same quality item for free. If you do the math, it stands to reason that anyone looking at a boarding school option probably has a complex reason. Family counseling and/or individual behavioral therapy can adjust troublesome behavior. Relatively inexpensive and quite effective.

In the case of military boarding school, while there may be some basic behavior concerns, they tend to fall into what I would consider the normal teenager behavioral category. He won't clean his room. He does not do his homework consistently. He skips class or is late. He likes to argue. I don't like his choice of friends. All he wants to do is play video games.

The list goes on, but none of the reasons I hear make me think the kids are on the road to a life of crime. Instead, I believe the motivation is that parents understand that getting into the right college with the right tools is a tough proposition, and they want to do everything in their power to make sure their kids are pointed in the right direction and have every opportunity to become successful.

Summer School on the Horizon

Thinking about military school for your child?  If the school of your choice has a summer session, this may be an opportune time to "test the waters."  Programs vary widely from camp-type sessions to more traditional summer school settings.  

When invetigating options, I would reccomend aksing what the session is designed for.  If your child needs to pick up some classes and learn a little more self discipline, I would look at a primarily academic setting.  If they are all A's, make sure they can take a new class and also verify that the credit will transfer to the current school, should you decide to remain enrolled there.

One thing to keep in mind is that in many cases the students who are enrolling in a summer program at a private school inlcude those who are trying to get ahead.  This can provide a very positive influence on the overall program and, compared to a traditional program designed primarily for those who have need of repeating classes, might be a more attractive option.  Imagine summer shcool with students who chose to attend! 

You migth be surpiresed how much your child can benefit from a month away from home.

Here is a link to the summer information for Fork Union Military Academy.

Graduation Day at FUMA!

This has been a busy few weeks, but graduation has arrived at Fork Union Military Academy.  I am always awed at how much growth we see in these students, some of whom we have had the opportunity to work with for 6 or 7 years.

By the way, this year the 2008-2009 graduating seniors and post graduates have earned in excess of 7.5 million dollars in scholarships!

If you are wondering what attending a military school can mean for your son, please follow this link:

College Acceptances 2009

Congratulations to the Fork Union Military Academy Class of 2009!

Narcissism article in Newsweek

I read an interesting Newsweek article about the tendency toward narcissism being at epidemic proportions.  So, how does this relate to military school?

The feeling that just "showing up" is enough to receive a passing grade or get a bonus at work is an interesting phenomenon.  The article mentions that young people are used to their parent's fixing situations when things are not going right.

This is where military school comes in.  What better environment to teach real world survival skills, than one in which the individual is forced to deal with his own situations on a daily basis. Every expectation at a military school is spelled out plainly and the consequences for falling short of those expectations is consistent.  

On the flip side, proper and competent performance of daily tasks may result in the individual being recognized as a leader and give real responsibility with the system.

One of the things I like beast about Fork Union is the fact that rewards come at regular intervals, but it takes a lot of time to really ascend the rank structure.  By doing this, the school naturally teaches that consistent competence is the key to being successful.  We don;t get a gold star every time we shine our shoes and make our bed.  Those are basic expectations.  Do this well consistently, however, and you will stand out above your peer group

What a great lesson to teach our youth as they move forth into college and then into the workforce.  You not only need to show up everyday, you actually need to do your best everyday.

School Safety

It seemed appropriate to write about school safety today.  10 years ago Columbine High School experienced a tragedy that no one will forget.  In the years since the tragedy, school violence.

Recently, Independent School Management (ism), conducted a study in which they tried to identify the main reasons parents choose the school they do.  Guess what number one on the list was.

"Safety of my child."

With this in mind, I think it is appropriate to ask schools about campus safety.  What type supervision is there, especially in non-classroom hours.

I believe that boarding school can be inherently safe environments, because teachers and staff really get to know the students they work with.  These children do not go home every night, but rather remain on campus.  Meal time, recreation, study time...everything falls under the wakeful eye of the adults on campus.

It is not difficult to determine when there is a visitor on campus, because you really get to know everyone quickly.

So, what should I ask when visiting?

How are nights supervised?

Are there adults present in the dormitories?

How do you handle bullying?

How many adults accompany students on off campus trips?

Does your school have a crisis action plan?

The answers provided to these tough questions will be a good litmus test for your relative comfort in enrolling your child at the school. 

Low Cost Boarding Schools

Here is a link to a short piece on "low cost" boarding school options.

The author correctly points out that, when considering a price point, you need to take into account possible financial aid awards the may be available at some of the more "expensive" schools.  

For eaxmaple, at Fork Union Military Academy, the basic cost for a new student for the 2008-2009 school year was just under $30,000. However, the average financial aid award was in excess of $10,000.

While cost is ultimately a determining factor in choosing a boarding school, I think it is prudent to avoid sticker shock if possible.  If you value what a specific school has to offer, see if their tuition assistance program can meet you in a range that is affordable for your family.

Is it too late to apply?

Military school's are a different animal than most traditional private boarding or day schools. With most traditional schools, applications are submitted early in the year, and acceptance decisions are made by spring.  In the military school environment it is not uncommon for the bulk of applications to come in over the summer months or even close to the start of the school year.  While every school would love to know exactly how many students they will have in the fall, few probably have "full" enrollment before the school year kicks off.

In Fork Union's case, there are a few grades the are limited in number, such as grade 6, in which we tend to accept no more that about 20 students.  This allows for class sizes in the range of about 10 cadets per class (as we have 2 sections).  In the upper grades, with a more diversified scheduling options, there is more flexibility in the number of students per grade.

If you are in the market for financial aid, I would suggest that the earlier you apply the more realistic your chases are to receive an award.  Most schools operate on a fixed aid budget, and once it is allocated, additional awards are more difficulty to obtain.  I would suggest contacting the individual school and inquiring as to the availability of aid up front, if that is a deal-breaker.

Response to online article: "Effect Of Boarding School On Children"

I recently read and article entitled: "Effect Of Boarding School On Children"

In the article there is a list of "potential positives and negatives."  I wanted to take the opportunity to address how the negatives may actually be less problematic in a military boarding school.

Negative Effects of Boarding School On children 

• Children get detached from their family with time, once they are sent to a boarding school. As a result, they might not want to part with their friends in the school and go back to home, if given a chance. They may find themselves drifted away from their family, even after graduating and coming back home.

I have found that in general, family relationships tend to remain strong as the young men are moved toward adult decisions in a military school environment.  The old adage "absence makes the heart grow fonder" comes in to play.  Also, I would point out that many teenagers, given the option between family time and "hanging out with friends" may go for the latter option, regardless of whether or not he is enrolled in a boarding school.  The main goal of boarding school is to prepare for college, which usually means leaving home.

• Parents often fail to impart family values to the children, when the little ones are nurtured away from the secure environment of home.
  

Choosing a military school that echos your values will not only impart said values, I believe it will resonate and plant those values deeper, as they see other individuals outside the home with a similar mindset.

• Since they are not monitored by their parents, children may easily get indulged in harmful addictions, like smoking and drinking, when they are in a boarding school.
  

Many school, like my own, have "zero tolerance" policies where behaviors such as drinking and drug use result in expulsion.  In addition, random drug screening can be used to deter this type of risky behavior.

• The kids in the boarding school tend to misuse the freedom, which they do not acquire much while living with parents.
  

Teaching the appropriate and constructive use of "free time" is something military schools excel at.  In reality, there is not much free time in a military boarding school.  There are also usually restrictions on what students have access to.  For instance, at Fork Union Military Academy things like video/computer games, cell phones, iPods and other "distractions" are simply not permitted on campus.  Instead, students are forced to find other distractions, such as organized activities, reading, lifting weights, swimming...and the list goes on.

• Unpleasant experiences of ragging and bullying are often reported in boarding schools. The acts may shatter the self-confidence of a child and may have adverse effects on his/her overall development. 
  

Bullying can be a problem in any school environment.  In a military school there is a hierarchy in place that is intended to teach students how to follow and lead appropriately.  In addition, military boarding schools tend to have very definitive consequence systems in place to handle a variety of inappropriate behavior, including bullying and hazing (which at Fork Union Military Academy may result in dismissal depending on the seriousness of the situation).  

Here is a direct link to the original article:

http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/effect-of-boarding-school-on-children-4760.html

I'm not quite sure military school is right for my child.

Sending their child to a new school is not something any parent takes lightly.  In admissions, I am often asked if there is a way to "just try" the program to see if it will work.

My answer is: "Have you though abut summer school?"  Most boarding schools offer a summer session in which students can come in and either repeat classes they have already taken or new, and sometimes unique offerings.  Our school offers a leadership class, ESL and a variety of standard coursework.

Why summer school?  Well, the initial investment is relatively minimal when compared with a full year's tuition, and the the time commitment is much shorter.  Be sure to get good details on the structure of the program you are looking into.  For instance, at Fork Union Military Academy, structure and discipline are key components, but we do not utilize a military uniform like we do in the school year.  However, the classes are offered by our own experienced teaching staff and the sports camps are coached by our coaches.  

Sending your son to a summer program offers them a chance to get a feel for the campus, the teaching styles implemented, and start to develop some friendships with other students he may be enrolled with in the fall.  

I must add a word of caution:  changing habits takes time.  One month of summer school cannot be expected to have a "miracle" effect on a child.  While he is enrolled, he will be held to a specific standard, and that accountability will have an impact on his level of success.  If you think it is working well, I would say you have a good indication that the school is a good fit, and it might be time to consider that school as a solution for the next school year. 

Cost.

Private Military School is expensive, but can prove to be a real investment.  What you put into it now can have a large impact in terms of college acceptances and scholarship offers upon graduation.  Many factors will play into which school you choose, but knowing what it will cost up front is imperative.

When you being to speak with any school, military school or other, make sure to uncover any hidden fees. There is no standard way to break down tuition, and what appears on the surface may be very different than reality.  

The bottom line you need to know to compare the cost-base for school is what I call "comprehensive tuition and fees." Ask the school what their comprehensive costs are.

For example, is the school separating tuition and fees? Many will, as they have both a boarding and a day component.

In the case of military schools, what is included in the initial cost? Are uniforms included in the fee shown?

What about medical care (do they charge for a visit tot the infirmary/health center)? What about books and school supplies. Is there a fee to participate in athletics, band, choir, or any other club?

If you are able to ask specific questions up front, you may avoid an unpleasant surprise down the road.

The next step is to determine if you can bring the cost down through tuition assistance.  Need based financial aid, merit scholarships, loans and grants are some options that may be available.  If you are torn between a few schools, Find out which school can offer the most reasonable long-term cost.  

About my School

Fork Union Military Academy is an all male, college preparatory, military boarding school.  Our missions statement is as follows:

"...to provide young men a college preparatory education in a residential, Christian environment. Using the best aspects of the military system, the Academy teaches its cadets responsibility, leadership, discipline, and pride by providing an atmosphere in which spiritual, mental, and physical growth can flourish."

One of the most unique aspects of our program is the fact that our students take classes one subject at a tile.  Literally.  For more information on this unique method of presenting the curriculum, please click here.

We also have an excellent reputation for college placement.  Lat year, 25% of our graduating seniors received full academic scholarships to college.  We also have exceptional athletic programs.

I am extremely proud of the work we do at Fork Union, and hope that the experience I have can assist you in determining if a military school like FUMA might be a good option for your son.

Welcome

My name is Steve Macek and I have worked in a military boarding school setting since 1994.  In that time I have served as a middle school science teacher, middle school commandant (vice principal), chemistry teacher and science department chair and, most recently as Director of Admissions.

Choosing a boarding school can be a daunting task, and I hope to provide information regarding military school enrollment.

Please feel free to email me any questions and comment on my posts.

For more information on my school, Fork Union Military Academy, please visit our school's website at http://www.forkunion.com