Randolph-Macon Academy
Randolph-Macon Academy (R-MA) is a coeducational private boarding school in the U.S. state of Virginia with an Air Force JROTC component. R-MA serves students in grades 6-12.
Randolph Macon Academy | |
---|---|
![]() Sonner-Payne Hall at Randolph-Macon Academy in March of 2015. | |
Address | |
200 Academy Drive , 22630 United States | |
Information | |
Type | Private (Boarding) |
Founded | 1892 |
President | Brig. Gen. David C. Wesley, USAF Ret.[1] |
Commandant | CDR Frank Carlucci, USN, Retired |
Grades | 6 - 12 |
Mascot | Yellow Jacket |
Programs | College-Prep; Air Force Junior ROTC; Flight; Drama; Art; Band; Chorus; CyberPatriot; Middle School, JV, & Varsity Sports; Speech and Debate; Interact Clubs at Middle School and Upper School |
Website | www |
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.[2]
History

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.[3]
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.
Notable alumni
- General Walter E. Boomer, USMC, Retired
- Major General William H. Gill, USA, Retired
- Harlan Crow, real estate developer
- Scot Kerns, Lutheran clergyman and member of the Montana legislature.
- Joel Shankle, 1956 Summer Olympics Bronze Medalist in the 110 Hurdles
- RADM John Stufflebeem, USN, Retired
References
- Randolph-Macon Academy. "R-MA President and Board of Trustees". Rma.edu. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
- Virginia Association of Independent Schools. "Randolph-Macon Academy". Vais.org. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
- "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.