Located in Chatham, Virginia, Hargrave Military Academy is a privatized boarding school affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia. It was originally founded as the Chatham Training School in 1909. The school was renamed in 1925 in honor of a local farmer, J. Hunt Hargrave.

The academy accepts only male students in grades 7 through 12 but offers continuing education opportunities for post-graduate students seeking to improve their educational and athletic abilities to better prepare for college acceptance. Students seeking a jump start to their college career can enroll in dual-enrollment college courses through Danville Community College.

Accreditation Info

In 2011 the average SAT score for a Hargrave student was 1515 and the school boasted a 99 percent college acceptance rate from 2003 to 2011.

Retention rates among students average 83 percent at Hargrave Military Academy.

With an average of 12 students in each class, students receive personalized attention which helps keep their grades and morale high.

The school received accreditation through both the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools – Council on Accreditation and School Improvement via AdvancED and the Virginia Association of Independent Schools. These standards are maintained by the schools governing board of trustees which is made up mostly of academy alumni.

Sports Teams and Athletic Programs

The school primarily focuses on college-preparation in a military-structured setting but is also well known for its basketball and football teams. The schools’ mascot is a tiger, representing the school colors of orange and black. For a more disciplined sport, the academy is home of The Camden Rifles, an elite drill unit formed in 1951. Academically, the academy’s Christian values based military preparatory program is what the school is best known for.

There is a moderately difficult application process, which includes a detailed application and submission of current transcripts and academic recommendations. The application is then reviewed by admissions personnel who make sure the academy and your student are a good match for each other.