Since 1909, Hargrave has built young men into leaders of character through an integrated Four Pillars approach: Academics, Character, Faith, and Athletics. These aren’t separate silos—they’re an interconnected framework for developing the whole person.
Pillar One: Academics
At Hargrave, academics go beyond textbooks. We encourage students to think critically, problem-solve, and apply knowledge creatively.
Our rigorous college prep program includes six daily subjects with alternate-day homework for deeper focus. The How to Study program—our proprietary curriculum—teaches note-taking, reading strategies, homework organization, test preparation, and study environment optimization. Mandatory supervised study halls are faculty-proctored every night. Individual Instruction Time is built into the daily schedule for one-on-one teacher support.
With an 11:1 student-teacher ratio and average class size of 12 students, over 50% of faculty hold advanced degrees. We offer 8+ AP courses, extensive honors curriculum, and dual enrollment partnerships with Richard Bland College of William & Mary and Liberty University.
The results speak for themselves: over a decade of 100% college acceptance, millions in scholarship awards annually, and 395+ acceptances to over 200 colleges in the past three years.
Pillar Two: Character
Character defines who we are and who we become. At Hargrave, character development operates through multiple intentional programs.
The Center for Leadership and Ethics, founded in 2001, extends our vision to grow young men holistically. The Honor Code prohibits lying, cheating, and stealing, adjudicated by an Honor Council of appointed cadets.
Most distinctive is Character Across Campus, which focuses on one core value each month—in classrooms, on playing fields, in Chapel, and in the barracks—helping boys understand what living with integrity looks like and how it influences their decisions.
Leadership courses include Leadership 1 (18-week course providing fundamental leadership skills) and Leadership 2 (semester college prep course integrating character education and building advanced knowledge, skills, and behaviors for leadership roles).
The General Colin Powell Leadership Medal recognizes achievement in the Military Department and all four pillars, requiring completion of Leadership 1 and successfully serving in a leadership position within the corps for one year.
Leadership develops through actual practice in daily responsibility positions: Battalion Commander, Company Commanders, Platoon Leaders, and Squad Leaders exercising authority, making decisions, and leading peers.
Pillar Three: Faith
As a school built on Christian principles, Hargrave’s staff and faculty strive to love and nurture each young man in a Christ-like manner.
The Corps of Cadets includes boys from diverse walks of life, experiences, and faith traditions. While Baptist-affiliated, our faith pillar is designed to meet the needs of all cadets regardless of their background or perspective on faith and spirituality.
Faith integration includes mandatory chapel twice weekly with hymns, contemporary Christian worship, and messages from the chaplain or guest speakers grounded in Christian Scripture, emphasizing character traits taught daily. Bible Survey—a one-semester requirement—provides Scripture overview and fosters appreciation for its importance and relevance. Personal Bibles are provided to all cadets upon matriculation.
Devotion time, church visits to local congregations, and Spiritual Emphasis Week (an annual February tradition with guest speakers and small group discussions) all support spiritual growth.
The inclusive message is clear: Staff care for students regardless of their faith. The program aims to help all cadets become spiritually and ethically mature individuals.
Pillar Four: Athletics
We believe in the power of sports to build character, instill discipline, and promote team spirit. All cadets must participate in athletics—it’s non-negotiable at Hargrave.
Our athletic program offers 14 varsity sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Fencing, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track & Field, Rifle, Soccer, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Wrestling, and Esports, plus JV programs.
Facilities include an Olympic-sized pool at Onishi-Davenport Aquatic Center (100 meters, one of the fastest in Virginia), historic Walter Davis Gym with a wall of NBA alumni photos, Grant Multipurpose Gym, weight room, baseball field, football/soccer/lacrosse field, outdoor track, indoor rifle range, tennis center, trap and skeet range, climbing tower, and indoor golf training facility.
As our football coach explains: “Athletics teaches willpower, attention, confidence, self-control, clear thinking under pressure, and leadership. Unlike other schools, this is something Hargrave already does all over the campus.”
Athletic achievements demonstrate exceptional success: Postgraduate Basketball National Champions in 2004, 2008, and 2016 with a 203-15 record over an 8-year stretch. Over 67 PG basketball players continued at Division I in just 5 years. We’ve produced 29 NBA alumni including Josh Howard, David West, and Donte Grantham, plus 100+ Division I athletes historically.
Integration Makes the Difference
The Four Pillars aren’t isolated components—they’re an integrated approach to daily life. Character lessons reinforce academic integrity. Athletic competition builds the same discipline required for academic success. Faith formation emphasizes the same values taught in leadership courses. Athletics provides a practical laboratory for applying leadership principles learned in the classroom.
When Character Across Campus focuses on integrity in February, academic honesty is emphasized in English class, sportsmanship is discussed at practice, leadership positions model integrity, Honor Code violations are addressed seriously, and spiritual messages in Chapel center on biblical integrity.
This integration creates a cohesive, consistent message reinforced throughout every aspect of the Hargrave experience, helping values and principles become internalized—part of who cadets are, not just what they do.
The Results Speak for Themselves
100% college acceptance. Graduates accepted to over 200 colleges and universities. Average of $4 million+ in scholarships annually. 29 NBA players. 100+ Division I athletes. 75+ US Service Academy acceptances. Leadership positions in college and careers. Lifelong friendships and brotherhood lasting decades.
Ready to see the Four Pillars in action? Schedule a visit to observe an academic class, attend chapel service, watch athletic practice, and talk with cadets and faculty about how the pillars integrate into the daily experience.
Contact us at 866-994-4582 or admissions@hargrave.edu in Chatham, Virginia.
