Thanksgiving leave is upon us and all of our cadets are enjoying over a week of well-deserved time off. The admissions office is open with the exception of Thanksgiving and the day after, should you wish to make an appointment to come and visit.
FUMA's next enrollment is in January, so there is certainly enough time to get a fresh start on the year if needed. "When is the best time to enter?" Well, if you are looking for a change if environment, there is no better time than the present.
Feel free to give us a call at 434.842.4205 to discuss possible enrollment options or if you have general questions.
Many of my email and phone calls have a common thread this time of year. Does FUMA accept students mid-year?
The answer is yes.
Entry for Upper School is Jan. 6
Entry for Middle School is Jan. 12
Are there any advantages to this time of year? Depending on your circumstances, very often this is a great time to enroll. In the high school, our students study only one class at a time. Therefore, very often we are able to start young men with a clean slate for the current academic year.
How do I know the current grades will count or not? If a student does not complete all requirement for the course he is currently taking, we cannot count the credit. Therefore, when he enters at FUMA, whatever classes he takes will start from the beginning. In other situations when you transfer to a different school, you simply bring whatever your grades were with you and they average out. It is not so here, in most cases.
We are happy to discuss the specifics with you if you have questions or would like to discuss your situation. Please call 434.842.4205 if you would like additional information. If you prefer email, please write to me at maceks@fuma.org.
It is great to be back at FUMA after a few weeks away. My time away was both rewarding and interesting, but at the end of it all, there really is no place like home! I am sure the cadets and their families are feeling the same way with the Thanksgiving leave just a few days away.
January is the next entry point for both the middle and upper schools. This is our second largest entry each year. If you are considering making a mid-year change, the time is right. Please give us a call at 434.842.4202 or email me at maceks@fuma.org for more information.
I have returned from my trip to Asia. The trip home took a bit less than 30 hours total (literally the longest day of my life so far). It was the first time I saw two sunrises and two sunsets on the same day. Bangkok was quite an interesting town with a lot to see. Pictures are being uploaded as I type this.
I am trying to readjust to this time zone and look forward to being back in the office on Monday. Thanks for all the prayers and the emails wishing me well throughout the trip.
My next excursion will be to Tysons Corner in December for the VAMS fairs.
I have been in Beijing since late Monday and have been very busy. Monday evening I attended a fair and met with quite a few families. Tuesday morning I travelled with a few other TABS folks to the Summer Palace (pictures galore), had lunch in the city and then attended the TABS fair at night.
I arrived in Hong Kong several hours ago. I wandered around a bit looking for somewhere to go to church. I have uploaded some pictures of Hong Kong Park, which is a beautiful area very close the the hotel. The flight from Taipei was less than 2 hours, which was the least amount of time I will spend in the air for any flight on this trip.
The Hong Kong trip is tomorrow in the early afternoon and I leave for Beijing early the next morning.
I am sitting in the waiting area at the Seoul airport waiting to board the plane for Taipei. Korea was amazing and the hospitality was beyond belief. If you have not done so already, please check the photos I have submitted of the trip so far. Here is a link to the pictures from Korea.
The pictures include some taken from my dinner with the Korean Parents Association as well as those taken during the tour which the families sent me on. No rest for the weary, as I am off to the next stop. Keep the prayers coming!
Greetings from Korea. It has been a busy few days here from me. The day I arrived I was treated to an incredible dinner of Korean food with the mothers of many of our current Korean cadets. The food seemed to never end and it was outstanding.
Last night's admissions fair was well attended and I was able to speak with quite a few families about FUMA.
This morning I will be leaving to see some sights around Seoul, a trip that was set up by the Korean Parent's Association. The tour will include the Blue House (President's Residence), Gyeongbok Palace, The National Fork Museum, Chogae Temple, Ins-dong and Namdaemun Market. I hope to take a lot of pictures and will post them as soon as I am able.
I had a few hours to spare and seem to be adjusted (as well as can be expected) to the 13 hour time difference, which is why I am writing this at 3 am, Tokyo time! I had a few hours free yesterday and had the opportunity to see some of Tokyo with a few of the other TABS folks. We went to Asakusa and toured a temple, several gardens and took a boat ride.
I also had the privilege of attending a traditional teppan and Okonomiyaki dinner hosted by EDICM (a Japanese consulting group). The folks there were beyond kind in preparing an enjoyable evening, and it was an experience unlike any I have had.
I hope to have a few pictures up soon. The Tokyo fair is at noon today and then I am off to Seoul early Monday morning (it is already Sunday here but only 2 pm back home!)
After nearly 24 hours of ground and air travel, I arrived safely in Tokyo. The flight from Chicago to Narita was long and it was light for the entire flight. I am uploading a short video of the flight, which includes some shots of Chicago, Alaska and Russia, to our YouTube section of the website. The time difference is 13 hours.
I am packing my bags and heading half-way around the world next week to spend some time talking with families in Asia about FUMA. I will be visiting Japan, Korea, China, and Thailand. Dates and times can be found by clicking here.
This is my first foray abroad, so keep me in your prayers. I hope to have regular updates and start video blogging soon.
By the way, please know that the Admissions Office will be up and running in my absense. Please call 434.842.4202 if you need assistance.
Mrs. Betys Ivens, Office Coordinator of the Commandant's Department and mother of a FUMA Alumnus, will be at the kiosk this weekend. Mrs. Ivens in a great source of information, both from a mother's perspective and as an employee of FUMA.
If you cannot make the open house on campus, this is a great opportunity to talk about the program with someone who has a great working knowledge of the school.
FUMA will host an open house this Saturday, October 11th, from 10am-2pm. This is a great opportunity to meet with faculty, cadets, coaches and staff members. There is no need to preregister, although you can let us know you are coming if you wish, by calling 434.842.4202.
The open house experience includes a brief group presentation about our school and a cadet-guided tour of the campus. If you would like, you can arrange an interview following the tour.
Dr. Robert Miller, Dean of Fork Union Military Academy, will be at the kiosk in Tyson's Corner Center this weekend. Dr. Miller has a great deal of experience in Military School education. In addition to serving as Dean, Dr. Miller also coaches the tennis team.
Please remember that October 21st is the Upper School term 2 enrollment date. There is still time to apply!
Please stop by and say hello if you are in the area.
LTC Giszack will be in the information kiosk at Tyson's Corner Center this weekend. Our October entry point is around the corner and now is an ideal time to look at enrolling your son for the remainder of the school year.
LTC Giszack, the Assistant to the President and Director of Tuition Assistance has been with the Academy for over a decade. Prior to his administrative duties, he served as head of the Science Department and coached cross country and track.
Rob Feathers, our Middle School Headmaster, will be in Tyson's Corner Center Saturday and Sunday at our Kiosk outside of Macy's on the 2nd floor.
Rob brings a unique prespective to the kiosk in that he is both the Headmaster of our middle school as well as a FUMA graduate. If you have a son in grades 6-8 and are wondering if boarding school is the "right choice" given your son's age, Rob is the perfect person to talk with.
As we approach the middle of our first term in the upper school, the admissions team is actively working with prospective students who are looking at our October Enrollment.
We opened with our largest enrollment in several years, and we are nearing our budgeted capacity, so space is becoming more limited for this year. But it is never too late to look at FUMA as an option. Our rolling enrollment allows us to bring students in at key points during the year so they can enter the program and transition smoothly.
If you would like to learn more about our program, please call us at 434.842.4205.
Dr. Grant, our Director of Guidance, will be in Tyson's Corner Center Saturday and Sunday at our Kiosk outside of Macy's on the 2nd floor. Please stop by if you would like some information about our program.
On October 21st we begin our second term (my how time flies) in the Upper School and we are currently accepting applications for that entry date. If you would like more information, please give us a call at 434.842.4205.
Our Middle School is currently accepting a limited number of applicants for each grade. Admission is done on a rolling basis and space is limited.
I will be on the road and in Tyson's Corner this weekend. If you are in the area, please stop by the information kiosk, located outside of Macy's on the second floor. Whether you are a prospective family, an alumnus, a family member of a current cadet, or just plain curious about the school I would be happy to chat with you about FUMA.
Of course, I will have information available for you to take home if you wish. If you have not yet seen our new admissions DVD, this is a good time to pick up a copy.
Fork Union has a unique method of presenting classes to students in grades 9-12 and PG, so there is always an opportunity to enroll! It is never too late.
MAJ Mike Williams, the Assistant Director of Admissions will be at Tysons Corner Center this weekend. MAJ Williams took the role in Admissions after several years teaching history and coaching with the Post Graduate football team. Prior to FUMA he was on the coaching staff at the University of Richmond. Please stop by and say hello if you get a chance.
All new upper school cadets, and those entering the 9th grade who were in our middle school last year, will report to campus on Tuesday. If you are among those coming, please make sure to have your health forms completed when you arrive. Also, please make sure to review all enrollment information on the website if you have not yet done so.
We look forward to seeing everyone at check-in!
P.S. As always, feel free to give us a call if you have any questions. 434.842.4202.
Carl Muench, one of our outstanding math instructors and the head coach of our National Championship Orienteering team will be manning the kiosk this weekend. Carl, a Naval Academy Graduate, and former submariner, will be available Saturday and Sunday to answer your questions and provide information to take home.
If you stop by, please don't forget to ask for a copy of our new Admissions DVD.
I have received quite a few phone calls and emails in the last few days from families wondering if they have missed the opportunity to apply for the upcoming school year. Rest assured that you still have time if you would like to pursue enrollment for the 2008-2009 school year.
If you are interested it is a good idea to contact us and set up an admissions visit as soon as possible. We have appointments every day from 9 am - 2 pm. During a visit, you will receive a tour of the campus and have an opportunity to ask whatever you wish about our program.
Please call 434.842.4205 if you wish to come and visit the campus. The start of the school year is approaching quickly, so please call today.
LT GEN. John Jackson, President of Fork Union Military Academy will be at Tyson's Corner Center this weekend. Here is your opportunity to speak with the head of our school about our program.
General Jackson came to FUMA in 1994 from service in the United States Air Force, ultimately earning the rank of LT General, to shepherd FUMA into the 21st century. He also serves as the Head of the Virginia Association of Independent Schools.
Please stop by and say hello on Saturday or Sunday. The kiosk is located in the mall on the second floor, just outside of Macy's.
P.S. Please don't forget to ask for a copy of our new Admissions DVD featuring FUMA parents and cadets talking about the FUMA experience.
The PG Football players will be arriving on campus beginning at 8am Wednesday. Students and families should report to the Estes Dining Hall when they arrive to being the process. Coach Shuman and his staff are looking forward to another great year.
Curious as to what a typical day is like at FUMA? Follow this link for a basic outline of what our cadets do each day. You'll notice that TV viewing, hanging out, and video game playing are all conspicuously absent.
Sunday we saw a great start to the 2008-2009 school year with the arrival of our high school football players. I was just down on the field and the players were all out there giving it their best.
Dr. Grant, our Director of Guidance, will be in Tyson's Corner Center Saturday and Sunday at our Kiosk outside of Macy's on the 2nd floor. Please stop by if you would like some information about our program.
We also have our Prep and Jr. Prep football players arriving on campus Sunday to begin preseason workouts. If you need any information regarding this, please give us a call at 434.842.4202.
This Sunday, August 10th, the Prep and Jr. Prep Football teams will report for preseason. Coach Sullivan and his staff are looking forward to a great season. Check in beings at 8 am in the Estes Dining Hall.
If you are planning on attending, please remember your health forms, which can be found here.
If you have not received information about football, but would like to come to preseason, you can click here. You can also speak with Coach Sullivan at 434.842.4281.
Remember, it is not to late apply for the 2008-2009 school year. If you are interested, give us a call at 1.800.GO.2.FUMA (1.800.462.3862).
I will be on the road this weekend and early next week along with our Chaplain, James Benson. Saturday we will be in Tyson's Corner, Sunday in Gaithersburg, MD and Monday in Richmond, VA. This is part of a tour with other Virginia Military Schools, so you can also compare and contrast 5 different programs which are available to you.
We will be available to discuss our programs with you and provide some materials for you to take home.
I hope to make a cameo or two at Tyson's Corner Center sometime later Saturday afternoon at our kiosk, which is being staffed by Ms. Yonce, our Head Nurse.
Ms. Yonce, our head nurse will be in the Tyson's Kiosk this weekend. She has had 2 boys attend FUMA and can offer a unique perspective to anyone who would like a "mom's point of view."
If you are in the mall this weekend, please stop by and say hello. September is creeping closer, but it is not too late to apply.
