Academics

Graduation Requirements

What It Takes to Finish Strong

Graduating from Fishburne requires commitment, consistency, and effort. Our requirements reflect the structure and expectations that define daily life here, from academic coursework and JROTC participation to grading standards and supervised study halls. Each element is designed to build responsibility, discipline, and readiness for what comes next.

List of 4 items.

  • Diploma options

    Fishburne offers three diploma options: A 23-credit Academic Diploma, a 25-credit Advanced Studies Diploma and a 22-credit International Diploma for non-native English speakers. The International Diploma does not require foreign language credits.

  • JROTC participation required

    All high school level students are required to take one unit of JROTC each year they are at Fishburne. These subjects count as elective credits toward graduation. In addition, all students are required to fully participate in standardized testing.

  • About our school year

    The school year consists of two semesters, each of which contains two grading periods. Major tests are given at the end of each grading period.

  • Typical cadet course load

    Depending on student’s transcripts and test scores upon arrival, student’s schedule may deviate from this typical plan. JROTC counts towards elective credit. Visit Curriculum for more detail on Advanced and Honor level classes offered.
What may not appear on a checklist, but is felt every day, is the belief we place in each Cadet. Faculty, advisors, and staff are invested in helping every young man meet these expectations, grow through challenge, and leave Fishburne prepared, confident, and proud of what he has accomplished.

Academic Pathways

 Course progression and graduation requirements by grade level
7th/8th Grade 9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade
Language Arts English 9 English 10 English 11 English 12
Math I \ II Math I \ II Math II \ III Math III \ IV, AP Calculus Math IV, AP Calculus, AP Calculus II
US History or World History World History History 10 US History or Dual Enrollment US History Government
Life or Physical Science Earth Science Biology Chemistry Physics or Environmental Science
Composition JROTC JROTC JROTC JROTC
Spanish or Elective Spanish or Elective Spanish or Elective Spanish or Elective Spanish or Elective

List of 5 items.

  • Seventh and Eighth Grade Requirements

    To adequately prepare its Cadets with a solid academic foundation before they begin fulfilling graduation requirements, Fishburne offers the following seventh and eighth grade courses:

    Courses Per Day
    Language Arts2
    Mathematics1
    Study Skills
    optional    		1
    Science1
    Social Studies1
    Character Development
    optional    		1
    6th Class Elective1

  • High School Graduation Requirements

    Fishburne offers three diploma options:

    1. a 23-credit Academic Diploma
    2. a 25-credit Advanced Studies Diploma
    3. a 22-credit International Diploma for non-native English speakers.
      The International Diploma does not require foreign language credits.

    Minimum Course Requirements
    Beginning with the ninth (9th) grade class, to qualify for an FMS diploma, a cadet must earn a total of minimum credits in approved courses, distributed as follows:

    CoursesAcademic Credits RequiredAdvanced Study Credits Required
    English44
    Mathematics3
    Pre-Algebra & Above    		4
    1 credit above Algebra II
    Science34
    History44
    World Language2
    2 levels in one Language    		3
    3 levels in one language or 2 levels in two languages
    Electives53-4
    1-2 depending on language
    JROTCRequired every year, grades 9-12Minimum of 2 credits required every year
    PE \ BandMinimum of 2 credits required every yearMinimum of 2 credits required every year
    Total2325
    2.0+ GPA required

  • Reports and Grading Scale

    All grades on FMS report cards will have letter grades. Grade reports are sent home to parents at the end of each marking period and at the end of each semester. Grades are also provided on a weekly basis by the student’s Advisor and over the internet via Net Classroom.

    Grading Scale
    A+ = 97-100A = 93-96A- = 90-92
    B+ = 87-89B = 83-86B- = 80-82
    C+ = 77-79C = 73-76C- = 70-72
    D+ = 67-69D = 63-66D- = 60-62
    F = 59 and Below

  • Honor Rolls

    Honor rolls are published at the end of each marking period and at the close of each semester. The Distinguished Honor Roll recognizes cadets who achieve at least a 3.5 grade point average with no grade less than B. Cadets who earn at least a 3.0 grade point average with no grade less than C are on the Headmaster’s List.

  • Study Halls

    Help Class
    A forty-minute Help Class period is available four days a week. Each student may voluntarily attend for one-on-one assistance or to complete work for that class.

    Study Hall
    A supervised Study Hall is conducted every Sunday through Thursday evening. Cadets may study in the library (Mon-Thu) or in their barracks rooms. Hired (school-approved) tutors are permitted on campus during this period. Study Hall is monitored by TAC Officers in the barracks and by a faculty member in the library.
225 South Wayne Avenue
Waynesboro, VA 22980
FISHBURNE.ORG
admissions@fishburne.org

Our Mission

To innovate and create the military school for the twenty first century. One that redefines what it means to graduate young men with the skills to move forward wherever their lives take them with CHARACTER \ KINSHIP \ AGENCY.
Fishburne Military School has earned the US Army’s highest level of accreditation and maintained its designation as a JROTC Honor Unit With Distinction for over 40 years. We may also nominate qualified candidates to the United States Service Academies and host one of only four Summer JROTC programs in the nation, accredited by US Army Cadet Command.