Academic Advising

ACADEMIC ADVISING

Academic advising helps cadets make informed decisions about course selection, diploma pathways, and future opportunities. Through individualized guidance and ongoing support, cadets gain a clear understanding of academic expectations and graduation requirements. By connecting academic experiences with long-term goals, cadets are encouraged to pursue a challenging and purposeful educational journey.

Each spring, the College Placement and Academic Services team meets individually with cadets entering grades 9–12 to review academic progress, discuss graduation requirements, and explore future goals.

These meetings provide an opportunity to evaluate achievements, identify areas for growth, and develop an academic plan for the coming year.

Following the meeting, families receive a personalized summary outlining recommendations, course selections, and next steps.

Fork Union Military Academy offers two diploma pathways designed to support a variety of academic interests, abilities, and postsecondary goals.

During the academic planning process, cadets work closely with advisors to select the diploma option that best aligns with their strengths and future aspirations.

Both pathways provide a rigorous college-preparatory education while offering flexibility to pursue an individualized course of study.

Detailed graduation requirements for each diploma are available below.

College Prep Diploma

Advanced Studies Diploma

Course selection is an important component of academic planning, enabling cadets to pursue a challenging and meaningful course of study. Working closely with academic advisors, cadets select courses that align with graduation requirements, diploma pathways, academic strengths, and postsecondary goals. This intentional planning process helps ensure each cadet is prepared for success in the classroom and beyond.

Course levels are selected based on teacher recommendation, success in the previous level, and meeting the required prerequisites.

Course offerings can be found here.

At-Level

At-Level courses provide students with a strong foundation in core academic subjects and are designed to meet graduation requirements while preparing students for future academic success. Introductory-level courses are offered at the At-Level designation, allowing students to build essential knowledge and skills before pursuing more advanced coursework. At-Level courses are not weighted in the calculation of a student's GPA.

Honors Level

Honors courses provide motivated students with the opportunity to engage more deeply with academic content through rigorous instruction, analytical thinking, and challenging assignments. Designed to prepare students for advanced study, Honors courses foster intellectual curiosity, strong study habits, and academic resilience. Placement in Honors courses is determined through teacher recommendation, ensuring students are appropriately matched with the increased expectations and pace of the curriculum. These courses receive additional weight in the calculation of a student's GPA.

AP & Dual Enrollment

Advanced Placement (AP) and Dual Enrollment courses represent the highest level of academic rigor available to students. Open to qualified juniors and seniors, these courses provide opportunities to engage with college-level material while still in high school. AP courses follow a standardized curriculum established by the College Board and may culminate in an AP examination, while Dual Enrollment courses allow students to earn college credit through partnerships with Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC). Enrollment is based on demonstrated academic readiness and faculty recommendation. Both AP and Dual Enrollment courses are weighted when calculating a student's GPA.

I want to change my schedule...

Course scheduling is a collaborative process that helps cadets build a balanced and purposeful academic program.

Working closely with academic advisors, cadets and families select courses that align with graduation requirements, academic readiness, and future aspirations.

Each schedule is reviewed annually to ensure appropriate challenge, continued progress, and preparation for life beyond Fork Union.

One-Subject Plan

Fork Union Military Academy follows a unique academic structure known as the One Subject Plan.

A cadet will take five term courses during an academic year. Each term consists of 7.5 weeks of instruction for one class. Please reference the academic calendar at www.forkunion.com for specific beginning and end dates for each term.

Term 1: August - October
Term 2: October - November
Term 3: December - February
Term 4: February - April
Term 5: April -May

There is a required seminar for each grade level to fulfill graduation requirements. The seminars are 45-minute class over the course of a semester during the academic day

9th Grade: Health/PE Seminar
10th Grade: Biblical Literacy
11th Grade: Servant Leadership
12th Grade: Senior Seminar