Missouri Military Academy Viewbook

LOVE HONOR TRUTH

Our Vision

At Missouri Military Academy, we believe every boy can learn to take command of his life through personal accountability, perseverance and self-discipline. Since 1889, thousands of parents have looked to MMA to give their sons what they’ve needed physically, emotionally and academically so they can grow, compete and thrive.

At MMA, we give our boys structure, teach them responsibility and show them love. These are the fundamental ingredients in shaping a young man, and they’re how we’ll help your son take command of his life so he can find it within himself to grow stronger, achieve more academically and become a leader.

Missouri Military Academy provides 360˚ Education, a program of study that fosters academic excellence, healthy physical development, leadership skills, good character and personal motivation through development of mind, body and spirit.

Our school day incorporates mathematics, sciences, private music lessons, arts, business courses, and more. Cadets study alongside other boys from around the world, with learning experiences that extend beyond the boundaries of their classroom. 360˚ Education is an ever-innovative program that develops young men with well-rounded qualities into leaders among their peers in college and beyond.

“This school has changed my son’s life and the trajectory of his future! It has been the best thing I have done for him.”

—MMA mom Donita Short

Build Character

Self-discipline becomes habit at MMA, and habit becomes virtue. Through a respected commitment to daily tasks and routines, cadets gain a greater sense of responsibility and self-motivation.

They make their beds each morning, shine their shoes and lay out their uniforms at the end of each day, and report on time to all mandatory activities. This structure not only fosters exceptional time management skills and a lifelong attention to detail, but it also encourages cadets to take pride in their appearance, actions and intentions.

As our boys transform into citizens of character, their opportunities flourish. Along with responsibility, the MMA lifestyle cultivates a call to community service and global exploration. Cadets fulfill their service-learning requirement by assisting local organizations or working with our weekly “Lunch Buddy” program, which pairs top cadets with local elementary school children who benefit from positive mentoring.

Global Perspective

A global community, approximately 25 percent of MMA’s cadets hail from abroad, bringing diversity and global perspective to cadet life and academics at MMA. From more than 25 different states and from countries such as Brazil, Rwanda, Portugal, Mongolia, China, Mexico, Namibia, Vietnam, Ecuador, El Salvador and more, boys and young men from around the world form tight bonds as they become MMA brothers.

“I recommend MMA to anyone that wants to provide their son with an opportunity to build the confidence he needs to become a strong and powerful man in this world.” — MMA

mom

Julie Garner

CHARACTER

Typical School Weekday at MMA

0600: Reveille (wake up and dress)

0705: Morning Formation

0730: Morning Mess

0805: Morning Classes

1155: Noon Mess

1215: Afternoon Classes

1600: Athletics

1830: Evening Mess

1915: Study Hall

2045: Quiet/Free Time

2200: Lights Out

Extracurriculars, drill, and special events may also be on the schedule.

OPPORTUNITIES

Experience More Opportunities

Cadets challenge their strength and resolve on the rappelling tower, rock climbing wall, obstacle courses and trails. They broaden their horizons and learn new skills by taking trips to museums and cultural events; bringing history to life through Railsplitters, MMA’s WWII reenactment group; participating on our broadcast team for Colonels Athletics contests; developing equestrian skills and more. Participating in our Scout Troop 1889, many of our cadets become Eagle Scouts during their time at MMA. Extracurricular activities such as these are just the beginning of the MMA cadet experience.

Our scenic campus includes …

• 200+ wooded acres

• Centennial Gymtorium with indoor swimming pool, basketball court, weight room and more

• field house

• indoor and outdoor track

• marksmanship and archery ranges

• indoor and outdoor tennis courts

• soccer, baseball and football athletic fields

• stables

• rappelling tower and rock climbing wall

• obstacle courses and trails, including cross country course

• paintball field

• Frisbee golf course

• stables for equestrian program

• lake and camping areas

“My favorite things are we’re never bored and the school builds brothers, not just students — but also the paintball.”

— MMA 7th grade cadet

Find Your Courage

Every day at Missouri Military Academy, cadets find the courage to face their fears — and gain the strength to overcome them. Cadets gain both physical strength and important life skills such as how to speak with confidence and show respect to others.

Each fall and spring, new recruits must pass a rigorous physical test called The Crucible. Cadets also participate throughout the year in numerous mental and physical challenges designed to push each to what he thought was his limit — then prove him wrong as he surpasses it.

From completing a 5K obstacle course run, rappelling off a 40’ tower, or leading a platoon of fellow recruits through morning physical training, our cadets rise to the challenges they face with courage and confidence.

“We have known what potential he has and now he is seeing for himself. MMA has been the best decision for our son we have ever made.”

— MMA parents Bob and Jennifer Wever

Learn. Lead. Triumph.

COURAGE

HEART

Find Your Heart

At Missouri Military Academy, music and fine arts are integral parts of our well-rounded cadet experience. Through group and individual band and choral lessons and performances, visual arts courses and once-in-a-lifetime extracurricular experiences, cadets develop skills that allow their creative confidence to soar while helping them experience and understand the world around them.

Music and fine arts cadets share their talents both inside and outside of the MMA community, whether that’s through the annual Evensong and Festival of the Arts events, featuring vocal, musical

and artistic talents; one-act drama productions performed at the local Presser Arts Center; or national-scale events, such as the Military School Band and Choir Festival, where MMA cadets rehearse, perform and compete for chair placements.

Per MMA tradition, our fine arts and music programs are grounded in discipline while allowing ample space for talents to mature and develop. Through self-expression, our cadets find a place to grow, engage and belong.

“I know I don’t tell you enough, but I am very grateful for the opportunity you have given me to be able to go to MMA.”

— an 11th grade cadet to his mom

Find Your Strength

Athletics have been a vital part of the Missouri Military Academy experience since the first varsity teams took the field in 1892. Today, every cadet completes two hours of daily physical exercise, developing a lifelong appreciation for personal health and wellness. MMA’s Fighting Colonels athletics also foster good sportsmanship and humility among our young men.

MMA cadet-athletes also learn the value of camaraderie and teamwork. Cadets develop valuable leadership skills by serving as team leaders or captains. Together with their teammates, they train hard, overcome obstacles and strive for greatness.

Both individually and as a team, cadet-athletes compete at the district and state level, with the opportunity to gain attention from recruiters and earn collegiate sports scholarships.

National competitions also give cadets the opportunity to shine. For example, at the 2023 Rocky Mountain Drill Classic National Championship in Denver, Colorado, MMA’s Fusileer Drill Team placed first in the overall armed drill competition.

High School

Sports

Baseball

Basketball

Cross-country Football

Golf

JROTC Drill (Fusileers)

JROTC Raiders

JROTC Rifle

Soccer

Swimming & Diving

Tennis

Track

Wrestling

Middle School

Sports

Basketball

Cross-country Soccer

Track

Wrestling

STRENGTH

Find Your Talents

With small class sizes and a low cadet-to-teacher ratio (15:1), we ensure cadets’ access to qualified educators who invest in your child’s education and character. Our faculty are a diverse group, and more than half possess advanced degrees. A few have previously served their country, and all bring a high-level of commitment to our cadets’ success and well-being — a necessary requirement to work in our boarding school environment.

MMA teachers are coaches and surrogate parents, accessible for guidance beyond the class day. They eat lunch with cadets, attend athletic games and take groups of cadets out to dinner.

A regular advisory session pairs cadets with a teacher who serves as a touchstone throughout middle and high school. Cadets also attend mandatory teacher-guided study halls each evening.

Relational Teaching

MMA employs a Relational Teaching philosophy, highly regarded among educators as one of the most effective means of cadet outreach, especially with boys.

Relational Teaching establishes a connection between cadet and teacher, usually based on something that inspires or interests the cadet, which then facilitates academic engagement. This is especially effective for cadets who are struggling in one or more areas because it allows the cadet to understand that the teacher sees beyond their struggle. The door is then opened to work through potential solutions and to guide the cadet to overcome his challenges.

“The most important thing I’ve learned at MMA is to never give up ... There are going to be challenges, but you have to push through ...”

—MMA Cadet Trae Griffiths, freshman year. Scan the QR code for video.

Middle School: Be Confident

Middle school cadets in grades 7 and 8 learn independence, organization, social skills and focus in order to prepare them for the rigors of high school. They are both cared for and challenged, learn boundaries and earn independence, and through it all they gain the confidence to be themselves and the courage to be leaders among their peers.

By learning, living and interacting with their classmates 24/7, cadets develop lifelong bonds with their MMA brothers. Their maturity and independence grow exponentially during these years, and they thrive with the support of a solid peer group sharing in their experience.

In the classroom, innovative, hands-on lessons engage young cadets, who are guided closely by faculty and their MMA “big brothers” in the high school.

Movie screenings in the library, outdoor survival seminars and more round out the fun activities geared toward these younger cadets, while the Learning Resource Center and guided study halls keep cadets on track academically.

“MMA has higher expectations, not just for the cadets but also for the teachers.”

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and

— MMA mom and teacher Cheryl Emminger

MIDDLE SCHOOL

HIGH SCHOOL

High School: Be Prepared

Missouri Military Academy is your son’s entry point to great colleges and universities. Our graduates have found wide-ranging success in academia, business, government and more, and many attribute that achievement to the confidence and self-discipline they gained at MMA. MMA consistently boasts 100 percent college acceptance each year, with graduating seniors collectively earning millions of dollars in scholarship.

A full-time college placement office begins working with cadets early in their high school careers and guides them to their academic and personal strengths. ACT and SAT prep helps cadets maximize their performance.

The Gap Year at MMA offers a postgraduate gap year for recent high school grads who want to obtain more maturity, refine their student skills and maximize their college acceptance opportunities following graduation. Curriculum is tailored to individual needs, whether that is retaking an upper-level high school course, completing required remedial college course credit or earning college credit.

Since 2011, our graduating seniors have been accepted to more than 200 colleges and universities in more than seven countries and 40 states and have earned nominations to the United States Military Academy at West Point, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Merchant Marine Academy and the United States Coast Guard Academy.

Through our unique College Triumph (early college) program, qualifying cadets can earn college credit as they work toward their MMA graduation. Dual credits are earned through William Woods University (WWU), ranked as one of the top universities in the region. College classes are taught by WWU faculty on MMA’s campus and at WWU. Cadets are supported within MMA’s structured environment as they learn the self-discipline it takes to perform academically at the college level.

“There is so much that goes on that makes him a better, more well-rounded person.” — Robert Melick talks MMA’s impact on his son Anthony, now attending the U.S. Naval Academy. Scan the QR code to watch video.

Learn. Lead. Triumph.

Missouri Military Academy

A selective program and one of the top college prep military boarding schools in the United States, Missouri Military Academy empowers young men in grades 7-12 to reach their potential as future college graduates, citizens of character and leaders.

204 North Grand Street, Mexico, Missouri 65265 info@missourimilitaryacademy.org

(573) 581-1776

About MMA

Grades: 7-12 post-graduate, all male

Year established: 1889

Average class size: 15 cadets, with many classes having less than 10 cadets

Program of studies: 4x4 block schedule requires cadets to take 4 courses each semester, enabling cadets to take 8 courses every school year; Triumph Program enables qualified cadets to earn college credit while in high school

Academic focus: A supervised mandatory study hall is held every evening, Sunday through Thursday, from 7:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Extracurricular activities: Varsity, junior varsity and middle school athletics, plus Scouts, rifle team, drill team, Army JROTC, Raiders team, equestrian program, Future Business Leaders of America, jazz band and string ensemble

Campus size: 288 acres

Location: Mexico, Missouri (population of approximately 11,000)

Travel: MMA is approximately 2 hours from the city of St. Louis, MO; 2.5 hours from Kansas City, MO; and 45 minutes from Columbia, MO, home of the University of Missouri. All three of these communities offer airports for easy access to the Missouri Military Academy campus.