Please review the following important information regarding Thanksgiving Leave. Thanksgiving Leave begins on Friday, November 21 at 12:00 PM, and cadets are not authorized to depart prior to that time due to Term 2 exams. Thanksgiving Leave ends on Monday, December 1, and all cadets must return no later than 7:00 PM that evening. Cadets may not return to campus prior to 9:00 AM on Monday, December 1.
All boarding students must submit a Leave Request in Orah for both Thanksgiving Leave departure and return. The deadline for all Thanksgiving Leave Requests is Thursday, November 7.
If your cadet requires FUMA Transportation or Private Hire to or from campus, please ensure that all transportation requests and travel details are submitted in Orah by Friday, November 1. Any applicable boarding passes or travel itineraries must also be attached to the Orah Request to reserve FUMA transportation or private hire services.
The Academy has officially concluded PSAT testing for the Junior Class. The PSAT (Preliminary SAT) provides students with an opportunity to experience the testing environment, structure, and format of the SAT. One of the best ways to prepare for the SAT is to practice in a realistic testing setting, and the PSAT allows cadets to do just that while following all College Board testing guidelines and expectations.
The PSAT is a national test administered each October to juniors across the country. Score reports will be emailed to the family contact designated in Final Site. Families should expect to receive an email with their cadet’s scores after Thanksgiving break. Please note that there is no make-up session for the PSAT, as it serves as a practice opportunity. However, cadets can continue to prepare by taking additional practice tests through Blue Book or Khan Academy.
Looking ahead, the PSAT 10 will be offered to interested sophomores this spring. This optional opportunity includes a $40 testing fee, and registration will open in January. The test date, set by the College Board, will take place in March or April and will be included in the registration information.
Additionally, there will be a Junior Seminar in the spring during Terms 4 and 5, which will include SAT strategy preparation, college application guidance, and optional college visits. More information on registration and cost will be shared via email and in The Weekly Formation in January.
Graduation will be here before we know it, and we want to ensure your cadet’s diploma is perfect. The Class of 2026 families will soon receive a form to confirm how their senior’s name should appear on the diploma. Please take time to review and complete this form carefully using the exact name and spelling as you would like it to appear. It’s important that both you and your cadet agree on the name submitted, as changes cannot be made after the stated deadline.
All submissions are due by January 23 to meet our diploma ordering deadline.
Get excited! Fork Union Military Academy school pictures taken on October 23, 2025, are now ready to view and order! Parents and guardians can easily access their cadet’s photos online through JostensPIX.
To view and order, visit: https://shop.jostenspix.com/login
Event Code: FE207725
Also Needed: PowerSchool Student ID
If your email is connected to your cadet’s school record, you will also receive a message from JostensPIX within 24 hours containing a direct link to order.
Don’t miss the chance to capture and preserve this year’s memories with ordering your cadet’s photos today!
Class of 2026 & 2027, it’s time to order your cadet’s Fork Union Military Academy Class Ring! Cadets will have the opportunity to meet with Mrs. Sidwell, our Jostens representative, in the Dining Hall on Monday, November 3, during lunch. During this time, cadets can be fitted for their class ring, select custom design options, and begin their order. A deposit is required to begin the custom ring order. The balance must be paid in full by March 1, 2026. Cadets will receive their rings during the annual Ring Ceremony in Wicker Chapel prior to Spring Break Departure on March 5. Parents, families, and friends are warmly invited to attend this special tradition.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Elizabeth Patrick at patricke@fuma.org.
Lock in the early-bird price of $85 when you order by October 31! After that, the price increases to $100.
Yearbooks will be delivered in May and include all the memories that make this school year special. Families can also purchase yearbook recognition ads (starting at $60) to honor their cadet.
For the safety and security of our cadets and campus community, independent delivery services such as Instacart, DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, and similar vendors are not authorized to deliver on campus. All outside deliveries must follow the Academy’s approved procedures and be coordinated through the Quartermaster. Unscheduled or unauthorized drop-offs create safety and logistical concerns and will not be permitted.
Please ensure that any items your cadet needs are sent through commercial parcel carriers such as UPS and FedEx.
We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a secure and orderly environment for all cadets.
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.
Now is the perfect time to schedule your session and take advantage of the beautiful fall colors!
For more information or to book your cadet’s private session, please visit Kristin’s website for special FUMA rates: Kristin Firewicz Studios
Mrs. Kelsey Hill, Director of College Placement & Academic Services, hosted virtual parent meetings last week. Recordings are available below for your convenience:
SAT Registration (Important Dates):
Helpful Tutorials:
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Hill at hillk@fuma.org.
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:
For more information, please contact Ms. Rhonda White at whiter@fuma.org or 434-842-4203.
Please always check the Academic Calendar for updates on events. Below are a few coming up in the next couple months:
Best regards,
Kelly Barnette
Director of Communications
Fork Union Military Academy
Email: barnettek@fuma.org
Sent on behalf of COL Steven McCoy, Chief Financial Officer:
Dear Parents,
Fork Union Military Academy will use Clarity to manage Financial Aid, Enrollment Agreements, and Tuition and Incidental Billing beginning with the 2026–2027 school year.
Clarity has quickly become the industry standard for independent schools. Many new and prospective families have encouraged Fork Union to make this transition because it provides a more user-friendly, transparent, and streamlined experience.
Clarity will also integrate directly with Finalsite, which will remain our Admissions Database. This integration will create a clean and seamless process, serving as a one-stop platform for families to manage Financial Aid, Enrollment Agreements, and Tuition and Incidental Billing all in one place.
Please note:
• The 2025–2026 school year will continue to be managed in FACTS.
• The 2026–2027 school year and all future years will be managed in Clarity.
• The deadline for current families to submit Financial Aid applications for 2026–2027 is Friday, December 5, 2025.
Families can begin their 2026–2027 Financial Aid applications by visiting:
https://app.clarityapp.com/sign-up
We encourage families to begin this process early. Reminder emails will be sent leading up to the deadline to help ensure applications are completed on time.
For questions or assistance, please contact Bob Williams at williamsr@fuma.org or call (434) 842-4243.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support of Fork Union Military Academy.
Respectfully,
Steven M. McCoy
Chief Financial Officer
Fork Union Military Academy
Email: mccoys@fuma.org
Class of 2026 & 2027, it’s time to order your cadet’s Fork Union Military Academy Class Ring! Cadets will have the opportunity to meet with Mrs. Sidwell, our Jostens representative, in the Dining Hall on Monday, November 3, during lunch. During this time, cadets can be fitted for their class ring, select custom design options, and begin their order. A deposit is required to begin the custom ring order. The balance must be paid in full by March 1, 2026. Cadets will receive their rings during the annual Ring Ceremony in Wicker Chapel prior to Spring Break Departure on March 5. Parents, families, and friends are warmly invited to attend this special tradition.
Looking ahead, the Class of 2026 families will soon receive a form to confirm how their senior’s name should appear on the diploma. Please take time to review and complete this form carefully. It’s important that both you and your cadet agree on the name submitted, as changes cannot be made after the stated deadline.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Elizabeth Patrick at patricke@fuma.org.
All boarding students must submit a Leave Request in Orah for Thanksgiving Leave Departure and Return. Please have all Thanksgiving Leave Requests in Orah by November 1. If you are requesting FUMA Transportation, you must have all requests and travel information in Orah by November 1. Please email transportation@fuma.org for all FUMA Transportation questions.
If you need assistance arranging holiday break accommodations for your cadet, please contact Ms. Rhonda White at whiter@fuma.org.
As we approach the holiday season, we want to share that a few of our cadets will need Thanksgiving Break accommodations and would truly appreciate the warmth of a family home.
If your family would like to host a cadet for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Spring Break, or if your cadet has a friend at the Academy who is unable to travel home, please consider welcoming them to join your family for the holiday.
All arrangements must be approved by both cadets’ parents prior to leave.
Your kindness and hospitality make a lasting impact and truly embody the Fork Union spirit of brotherhood and community.
Lock in the early-bird price of $85 when you order by October 31! After that, the price increases to $100.
Yearbooks will be delivered in May and include all the memories that make this school year special. Families can also purchase yearbook recognition ads (starting at $60) to honor their cadet.
For the safety and security of our cadets and campus community, independent delivery services such as Instacart, DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, and similar vendors are not authorized to deliver on campus. All outside deliveries must follow the Academy’s approved procedures and be coordinated through the Quartermaster. Unscheduled or unauthorized drop-offs create safety and logistical concerns and will not be permitted.
Please ensure that any items your cadet needs are sent through commercial parcel carriers such as UPS and FedEx.
We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a secure and orderly environment for all cadets.
If you believe your cadet would benefit from extra academic support, our Resource Seminar provides targeted help with course content, study/notes/test-taking strategies, time management, and accountability. Cadets meet during designated periods without conflicting with their term courses. Teachers collaborate weekly with the program to tailor support. Students receive a grade based on work ethic, attitude, and attendance.
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.
Now is the perfect time to schedule your session and take advantage of the beautiful fall colors!
For more information or to book your cadet’s private session, please visit Kristin’s website for special FUMA rates: Kristin Firewicz Studios
Mrs. Kelsey Hill, Director of College Placement & Academic Services, hosted virtual parent meetings last week. Recordings are available below for your convenience:
SAT Registration (Important Dates):
Helpful Tutorials:
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Hill at hillk@fuma.org.
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:
For more information, please contact Ms. Rhonda White at whiter@fuma.org or 434-842-4203.
Please always check the Academic Calendar for updates on events. Below are a few coming up in the next couple months:
Best regards,
Kelly Barnette
Director of Communications
Fork Union Military Academy
Email: barnettek@fuma.org
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