Contraband Reminder: Please review the Contraband List- Updated and ensure that none of these items are brought to school.
All Day Students are required to attend every parade and all special events scheduled during the final week of the school year. Parents are encouraged to review the official PDF Calendar for the dates and times of these events so families can plan accordingly.
FIRST PARADE: Sunday, April 19 we will celebrate our First Responders at 1:30 PM. This is mandatory for all cadets. Cadets must be signed in by 12:00 PM in White Short Sleeve Shirt, Class B Pants, Round White Hat Uniform.
DAY STUDENT REMINDERS:
Arrival & Sign-In: Day Students must sign in at the Commandant’s Department by 7:15 AM daily.
Uniform: The uniform of the day for class days is Class B Summer.
Absences & Tardies: If your Day Student will be absent or late, please email absent@fuma.org with full details.
DEADLINE IS TODAY! END-OF-YEAR DEPARTURE LEAVE REQUEST DEADLINE APPROACHING
The next Major Leave will be End-of-Year Departure. Below are the scheduled departure dates for specific groups of cadets.
Important: All boarding cadets must submit a Leave Request in Orah for their End-of-Year departure. To ensure proper accountability, please submit requests by TODAY, Friday, April 17. Please select a random return date in Orah to be able to submit a request.
Departure Schedule:
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 - 7th Grade departs after 7th Grade Ceremony at 10:30 AM
Thursday, May 21, 2026 - 8th-11th Grade (who are not in band) departs at 12:30 PM
Friday, May 22, 2026 - Seniors & Band members depart at 11:00 AM after Graduation. Graduation starts at 10:00 AM
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
DEADLINE TODAY! MAY SAT TEST REGISTRATION DEADLINE APPROACHING
For cadets interested in taking the May SAT, please note that the registration deadline is TODAY, Friday, April 17. Fork Union Military Academy will be hosting the SAT on campus, providing a convenient testing opportunity for our cadets. To register for the May SAT, please click here.
INTRODUCING STUDENT DEVELOPMENT OFFICERS (SDOs)
We are excited to introduce a new enhancement for the 2026–2027 academic year: Student Development Officers (SDOs) within each company. SDOs are dedicated members of our professional staff who will serve as mentors and leaders, focused on knowing, guiding, and advocating for every cadet under their care. Through this model, your son will receive consistent, individualized support across all areas of his development. These staff members will build meaningful relationships with cadets, closely monitor their progress, and ensure that any needed support, whether academic instruction, discipline, or counseling, is delivered in a timely and effective manner. In addition, each cadet’s SDO will serve as the family’s primary point of contact, providing a clear and direct line of communication with someone who understands your son’s journey and can speak to his growth and progress.
RE-ENROLLMENT REMINDER FOR 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR
Did you miss the re-enrollment deadline? There is still time to secure your son’s place for the 2026–2027 school year.
We encourage families to complete the re-enrollment process as soon as possible. Please notify our Admissions Office of your intent to return so we can assist you with next steps and ensure a smooth transition into the new school year.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to admissions@fuma.org.
IMPORTANT:END-OF-YEAR EVENTS RSVP NOW OPEN
As we look ahead to celebrating the accomplishments of our cadets, Fork Union Military Academy is excited to announce that RSVPs are now open for our 2025–2026 End-of-Year Events. We kindly ask all families to let us know their plans by completing the RSVP for each event they plan to attend. This helps us ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone as we prepare for these special celebrations. Please note that the Senior Dinner includes four complimentary tickets per family, with additional guests welcome at $10 per person.
We look forward to celebrating this meaningful time with you and your family!
IMPORTANT EVENTS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR
As we move into the final months of the academic year, the schedule at Fork Union Military Academy becomes very full of important events and traditions. From parades and special ceremonies to end-of-year celebrations and departures, the coming weeks will be an exciting and busy time for our cadets and families.
Many of these events take place throughout April and May, including several significant activities during the final week of the school year. Parents are encouraged to carefully review the official PDF Calendar for all confirmed event dates and details. A snapshot of April and May can be found below as well.
To help maintain the safety, security, and structure of campus life, we want to remind families that independent delivery services are not permitted to deliver directly to cadets on campus. This includes services such as Instacart, DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, and similar vendors. We have recently seen an increase in unauthorized delivery attempts, and unscheduled drop-offs create safety and logistical concerns that cannot be accommodated.
Approved Process: All outside deliveries must follow Academy procedures and be coordinated through the Quartermaster.
Shipping Guidance: If your cadet needs items, please send them through approved commercial carriers such as UPS or FedEx, which are able to deliver securely and efficiently. We appreciate your partnership and cooperation in helping us maintain a safe, orderly, and distraction-free environment for all cadets.
DO YOU WANT TO SCHEDULE SENIOR/CADET PORTRAITS?
We are pleased to recommend Kristin Firewicz Studios to our cadet families for senior and cadet portraits. Kristin is a professional photographer contracted by the Academy to capture campus photos throughout the year and has been specializing in high school senior photography for over 10 years. Based right here in Fork Union, Kristin also has a studio conveniently located on campus.
For more information or to book your cadet’s private session, please visit Kristin’s website for special FUMA rates: Kristin Firewicz Studios
CADET CARE PACKAGES FOR BIRTHDAYS AND ANY OTHER OCCASION
Do you want to do something special to surprise your cadet while being away from home? Treat him to a birthday surprise, a pick me-up, or a just because treat from the list below:
Ms. Rhonda White, Assistant to the Commandant, provides parents with the opportunity to treat their cadet with something special. Choose from the following:
Qty of 6 Cupcakes for $10
Qty of 12 Cupcakes for $20
Qty of 12 Brownies for $10
Qty of 12 Chocolate Chip Cookies for $12
Small Size Gift Bag of Treats for $25
Large Size Gift Bag of Treats for $40
Chips and Salsa Bag for $12
Rice Crispy Treats for $12
For more information, please contact Ms. Rhonda White at whiter@fuma.org or 434-842-4203.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Please always check the Academic Calendar for updates on events. Below are a few coming up in the next couple months:
First Responders Parade | Sunday, April 19, 2026
The first parade of 2026, the First Responders Parade, is scheduled for Sunday, April 19 at 1:30 PM on Stadium Field. This is mandatory for ALL cadets. Uniform for cadets will be white short sleeve shirt, Class B pants, white round hat.
National Honor Society Ceremony | Friday, April 24, 2026
Fork Union will host its annual National Honor Society ceremony on Friday, April 24 at 10:30 AM in the Wicker Chapel.
Spring Day of Giving | Thursday, April 23 to Friday, April 24
The Academy is proud to introduce a new tradition this year, our Spring Day of Giving. Supporters of the Academy are invited to make an impact during this 24-hour giving event, taking place Thursday, April 23 through Friday, April 24. Every gift helps strengthen the Academy’s mission and directly supports the growth and development of our cadets. Make your gift early.
Military Appreciation Parade | Sunday, April 26, 2026
The Military Appreciation Parade is scheduled for Sunday, April 26 at 1:30 PM on Stadium Field. This is mandatory for ALL cadets.
Alumni Weekend | Friday, May 1-Sunday, May 3, 2026
The Academy's annual Alumni Weekend is set for Friday, May 1-Sunday, May 3. To learn more about the weekend, click here. For cadet and families, the weekend caps off with an Alumni Day Parade on Sunday, May 3 at 1:30 PM. The parade is mandatory for ALL cadets.
SAT Test | Saturday, May 2, 2026
The May SAT Test will be administered on campus. To register, please visit: CollegeBoard.com. The deadline for registering is Friday, April 17.
Fine Arts Festival | Thursday, May 7, 2026
Music Director John Warren will host the annual Fine Arts Festival Thursday, May 7, 2026, in the Estes Dining Hall. Festivities begin at 4 PM.
Mother's Day Parade | Friday, May 8, 2026
The Mother's Day Parade is scheduled for Friday, May 8 at 2:00 PM on Stadium Field. This is mandatory for ALL cadets. Eligible cadets can enjoy a leave weekend following the parade. The leave weekend ends on Sunday, May 10 at 7 PM.
Senior Day Parade | Monday, May 18, 2026
The Senior Day Parade is scheduled for Monday, May 18 at 2:00 PM on Stadium Field. This is mandatory for ALL cadets.
7th Grade Promotion Ceremony/Departure | Tuesday, May 19, 2026
All seventh graders will be promoted to the One-Subject Plan in a special ceremony on Tuesday, May 19 at 10:30 AM. Families and friends are welcome to attend, please RSVP here. Following the ceremony, all seventh graders should depart campus for the year.
Underclassmen Awards Ceremony | Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Cadets in grades 8-11 will be celebrated in a special awards ceremony on Wednesday, May 20 at 4:00 PM in the Wicker Chapel. Families and friends are welcome to attend, please RSVP here. Following the ceremony, families are welcome to attend dinner with their cadet.
Term 5 Final Exam/Underclassmen Departure | Thursday, May 21, 2026
The Term 5 final exam will take place on Thursday, May 21, from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM. Following the exam, cadets in grades 8–11 (who are not members of the band) will depart campus for the year. To assist with planning and ensure a smooth departure process, please submit a Leave Request in Orah indicating when and how your cadet will be departing.
Senior Awards Ceremony & Dinner | Thursday, May 21, 2026
The Class of 2026 will be celebrated in a special awards ceremony on Thursday, May 21 at 4:00 PM in the Wicker Chapel. Families and friends are welcome to attend, please RSVP here. Following the ceremony, families are welcome to attend a special dinner with their cadet.
Graduation | Friday, May 22, 2026
The Class of 2026 will walk across the stage on Friday, May 22 at 10:00 AM on Stadium Field. Families and friends are welcome to attend, please RSVP here. Following the ceremony, all cadets can depart campus.
Best regards, Kelly Barnette Director of Communications Fork Union Military Academy Email: barnettek@fuma.org
