Whether enrolled at Randolph-Macon Academy as a day or boarding student, for one year or seven years, parents and students have much to say about effectiveness of this private college-prep military school. Below is a mix of video and written testimonials.

"R-MA has been a guiding light for Khaleeq.  The teachers and mentors have instilled character and self-esteem and respect.  R-MA has afforded him the opportunity to experience new and different ways to accomplish life's tasks.  Khaleeq has grown personally, academically, and socially.  Because of his experience at R-MA, he is well-equipped to engage, analyze, and act upon life's challenges, victories, and uncertainties."
 
Felicia Everett-Blake
Parent of Khaleeq Everett '11

Kathy Heer, Parent of Michael Heer '07, takes you through her family's experience from the first realization that maybe they ought to check out a boarding school, through the decision-making process, the first tumultuous year, and her son's triumphant walk across the stage at graduation.  She also e-mailed us a follow-up about Michael while he was in college!

First Testimonial from Kathy Heer (2007)

Follow-up Testimonial from Kathy Heer (2010)

"We've all heard the saying, "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink."  Well, if you leave them there long enough, they'll eventually take a sip.
 
"The waters at R-MA and the leadership and mentoring of Col. Sadler turned a public school GPA of 1, into a 3.5 and a chance of possibilities instead of a lifetime of limitations.
 
"The hardest part of being a parent is knowing in your gut the system your child is in is not working and you need to act and find help in a new setting and system.   I wish we would have acted sooner and enrolled four years at R-MA.
 
"My advice to any parent is you have to act some time.  What better time than now?"
 
Mark Anderton
Parent of Charles Anderton '07

"Marianne started in the middle of eighth grade.  She was already academically gifted.  She had straight A's and was a member of the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS).  Part of Marianne's commitment to the NJHS was to be involved with the local community, maybe in the form of community service.  Marianne refused to do it because it was wasting her time. 

"During the eighth grade graduation ceremony, the guest speaker told a story about how none of the students know her and she personally didn't know them.  However, there was a group a girls from Randolph-Macon Academy that her mother spoke of, who came to the nursing home to spend time with her and the other older people there.  The guest speaker went on to say that when she would go to see her mother, she was smiling from ear to ear because these young girls showed up and played Crazy 8's with her.  This made the guest speaker so happy that these special girls put a smile on her mother's face. 

"When I approached her after the ceremony I praised her for the words of wisdom that she passed onto not only the girls but the people sitting in the ceremony, including myself.  As I concluded with this to the guest speaker, my daughter stood by my side and proceeded to tell the guest speaker that she was one of the girls who used to play Crazy 8's with her mother.  This made the hair on my arms stand straight up.  I was so proud to know that Marianne was one of those girls.  R-MA has showed her the importance of giving and serving others.  That makes us proud to be R-MA parents."

John J. Nell
Parent of Marianne N. Nell '10

Hear from Marianne just before her graduation from R-MA in 2010:

"Ian has benefited from his time at R-MA most specifically through the daily structure of schedules.  He was in need of specific time slots to address his  homework completion, as well as time for sports/extracurricular activities, all of which are essential to his development.  This structure not only helps him daily, but instills in him the importance of prioritizing educational responsibility and the discipline required for educational achievement."
 
Kevia Richardson
Parent of Ian Richardson '12

"When Sami arrived at R-MA he had very low esteem caused by the teaching methods used at his former school.  R-MA, through its staff, teachers, curriculum, and teaching methods not only gave him enough confidence to start believing in himself again, but also inculcated in him the desire to learn and excel.  He set goals for himself to be the best human being he could be.  A clear indication that he feels very comfortable at R-MA and its academic program is that he has asked us to keep him at R-MA for the rest of secondary education.   
 
"Sami has clearly grown and matured tremendously.  His demeanor is more calm and reflective.  While R-MA enforces strict discipline and adherence to the rules, thus teaching responsibility, it also encourages freedom of thought and exploration of new ideas, thus encouraging him to ponder about world events. Sami also appreciates the diversity of the school and the respect all staff and teachers show for all ethnic and religious backgrounds.  Sami feels “at home” at R-MA. 
 
"R-MA, unlike many other schools, believes in bringing out the best out of its students, and encourages them to learn.  Through its exceptional and unique academic approach, Sami’s desire and ability to learn has increased greatly.  Overall I can only recommend R-MA to other families who want only the best for their kids."

Mustapha Rechache, Ph.D
Parent of Sami Rechache '11

"After six tumultuous years at a Cleveland area private school and determining that no other local private school would be right for our son my wife Dawna, son Colton and I set out to find a school that would provide the direction he needed for seventh grade.  To that end we visited 12 private learning institutions, some militarily oriented, most not.  We had pretty much decided that one we found in the Philadelphia area would be the best "fit" for him.

"Then Dawna came across R-MA's web site.  We decided it was worth making the six-hour drive to check it out. The initial visit was by Colton and myself.  It convinced us that the campus, the Air Force association rather than complete military and most of all the principles R-MA's middle school endorsed to groom your young people to become responsible adults would be what our son needed.  Dawna followed our visit and agreed with what we had observed.

"We all thought that R-MA would be a one year adventure.  Having our only son at school six hours of bad road away was not something we looked forward to.

"The rest as they say is history.  We've given Colton multiple opportunities to relocate closer to home, but no, he's found a home at R-MA. And we couldn't be prouder of the young man he's become.  I'm convinced the direction, the spirit, the ethics, the camaraderie - all the things R-MA brings to the table - have played a very large part in Colton's growth.

"I feel certain Colton will graduate R-MA taking with him memories for a life time.  Most important to Dawna and I he's become the young man we had hoped he would.  We are very proud.  Thank you for your involvement, R-MA."
 
Sincerely,
 
Quent Meng
Parent of Colton Meng '08 

"We moved to Front Royal, VA because of R-MA.  My husband and I wanted Ashley to have the best education possible -- R-MA was the place for her.  The public schools were too crowded and too many gangs -- we didn't want her falling into the wrong crowd.

"R-MA has smaller classes and the ratio of student to teacher is FANTASTIC.  The smaller classes have helped Ashley grow and learn so much.  The middle school staff at R-MA are unbelievable.  The teachers keep in touch with the parents.  If we or they have any concerns -- the door is always open.  They praise Ashley and recognizing her when she excels.  The R-MA staff wants your child to succeed and Ashley is proof of that.

"I thank God we found R-MA.  If you want your child to succeed and have caring teachers and staff help them grow into the best they can be -- I would stop by and meet the R-MA staff.  You will feel like you have know them your whole life.

"Ashley has not only excelled in her academics, but as a young lady.  She is maturing into a very nice young lady and we have R-MA to thank for that.  Thanks!"

David and Bonnie Birk
Parents of Ashley Birk '11