Welcome from the Head of School

Greetings from beautiful Woodstock!

Thank you for visiting the Massanutten Military Academy website. I hope these pictures and information will give you a sense of our small school and its very big mission. Clearly, MMA cadets, faculty, and staff are proud of what they are accomplishing here. If you are a parent considering new school options for your son or daughter, please take the time to visit this small town by the Shenandoah. You will find a special place where young people are excited about their futures.

In my first days as the Academy's new Head of School, I asked cadets why they'd chosen to enroll at MMA. Most cited, initially, the chance to get their grades up in smaller classes. They explained what means most to them now: the sense of belonging and connection they've found in the Cadet Corps. They enjoy being part of something larger than themselves, no longer lost in a crowd. They are here to get ready for college, and while doing so, to play ball, sing in the choir, compete on the Raider Team, act in plays, join in debates, play in the band, and take lessons in almost any musical instrument. They say that cadet life can be demanding at times, but they know it has improved their study habits and learning skills, their attention to detail, and their respect for others.

MMA is a great place for students to focus on what's important and, most of all, to become leaders. Many participate in the excellent JROTC program. This past year, six graduates earned ROTC college scholarships worth $750,000, and the Cadet Battalion Commander was appointed to the United States Naval Academy. Massanutten is a place where young people find new confidence, new opportunities, and new friendships-not where troubled youngsters get reformed against their will. Team-oriented regimen can produce wondrous results in young lives. But it's not for everyone. Defiance and continued misconduct result in dismissal from the Academy. That assurance is essential to students and parents who believe in, and who know the value of, the MMA experience.

School trends come and go. One constant remains: young people need to know that they are safe, that they are cared for, that they matter. Massanutten's military lifestyle brings good kids together as it builds them up. The school remains small, and its impact is greater than ever. Cadets live out the school's motto each day. I can't think of a better way to prepare them for future happiness and success.

Non Nobis Solum - Not for Ourselves Alone

Craig Jones
Head of School