High Flight: The Military Service Academy Prep Track
The High Flight Program at Randolph-Macon Academy is designed for the student who has aspirations of attending one of the United States service academies. It provides the student with a superior record in the following areas, which are all key components of a successful academy appointment:
- Advanced Academics
- Maximized SAT/ACT Preparation
- Leadership Development
- Athletic Participation
- Physical Fitness
- Community Service
Benefits and Responsibilities
Students accepted into the program will receive a $2,000/year High Flight Merit Scholarship. Students must remain in good standing to retain the scholarship each year.
Each student will be assigned to an R-MA mentor who thoroughly understands the service academy application process and can guide him or her through the process.
Students will be placed on an advanced academic track that is focused on math and science.
Students will receive additional physical fitness training in preparation for the rigors of the service academies.
Students will be required to serve a minimum number of community service hours in a variety of community service projects, which may include: assisting in offices, writing letters to soldiers, serving food at the local soup kitchen, assisting the admissions offices with tours and educational fairs, and helping to staff an R-MA booth at local festivals.
Once enrolled in the program, students will be expected to:
- Participate in flight or a comparable program.
- Qualify for a cadre position (student leadership in the Air Force JROTC program) in their junior and senior years.
- Attend the Summer Leadership Cadre Camp.
- Perform the duties of their assigned cadre position to the best of their abilities.
- Remain in the program through graduation, and apply to one or more of the service academies.
- Students applying to the U.S. Air Force Academy may recieve a nomination from the R-MA president.
Nominations to other services are accomplished through the congressional nomination process. There is no guarantee, implied or stated, that participants will be nominated/appointed.
Criteria
Students interested in the program must meet the following criteria:
- Be successfully accepted to Randolph-Macon Academy for grade 9 or 10.
- Have a GPA of 3.5.
- Pass an FAA flight physical.
- Be fully eligible for active military service.
- Complete a formal application (in addition to the admissions application).
Selection for the program will be determined by the R-MA Admissions Committee. Only five students per grade will be admitted. The program total will not exceed 20 students (five in each grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 upon full maturation of the program).
Deadlines
Selection for the High Fligh Program will occur in two cycles:
Primary application deadline: 15 June for the following academic year.
1 August: Fall Selection Board
1 February: Spring Selection Board (for non-selectees from the August Board and for students accepted to R-MA after the June deadline) Note: applications for this board must be in by the day Christmas Break begins.
Questions?
Please contact the Admissions Office at admissions@rma.edu with any questions or download an application.
