Oak Ridge Military Academy

Founding (1852–1914) Oak Ridge was established in 1852 by local families in the surrounding community, some of them associated with the Society of Friends (Quakers). The school traces its origins to April 7, 1850, when forty-three local citizens of the northwestern Guilford County community "desirous of promoting the cause of education" contributed a total of $629 for the construction of a new schoolhouse. The school, originally conceived as Oak Ridge Male Institute, changed its name to Oak Ridge Institute in 1854 prior to opening, to reflect that a limited number of females from the local community would also attend the school. The school reopened on August 6, 1866, but found challenges operating during Reconstruction. From 1875 to 1914 Oak Ridge was led by two brothers, Professors J. Allen Holt and Martin Holt. Under them the Oak Ridge Institute became one of the leading prep schools in North Carolina, boasting business and humanities departments, literary and debating societies, and sports teams which regularly played Wake Forest College (University), the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Trinity College (later Duke University) in football and baseball. Several of the academy's baseball players went on to play in the major leagues. and the third oldest military academy. Modern day (1981–present) Since 1972, Oak Ridge has been a private, coeducational, college-preparatory military boarding school (with a limited day student enrollment, mostly from the local community). It is one of the eight coed military academies in the U.S. The Oak Ridge Military Academy Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The academy is divided into a middle school (grades 7–8), and a high school (grades 9–12). Oak Ridge is the official military school of North Carolina, as designated by the state legislature in 1991. Oak Ridge is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and it was first accredited by SACS in 1899. ORMA is also a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), and the Association of Military Schools and Colleges of the United States (AMSCUS). It is the only active military school to have won the National High School Drill Team Championship (1996). In the fall of 2006, the academy launched their "Campaign for Renovation and Repairs", which raised $216,000. The funds were used to get a new roof, repair buildings, add fences and columns, and build new additions to the school. == Campus ==

The Oak Ridge Military Academy Historic District encompasses 21 contributing buildings and 1 contributing structure. They include the Queen Anne style Oakhurst (1897) designed by Frank P. Milburn (1868–1926); the home of Martin H. Holt; Maple Glade (1905); the home of J. Allen Holt; the old Donnell and Holt Store (now Cottrell Hall, c. 1900); the Alumni Building (1914); Chapel (1914); Whitaker Dormitory; Holt Dormitory; King Gymnasium (1920s); and Infirmary (1938). ==Academics==

Enrollment As of the 2024–2025 school year, approximately one-hundred students were enrolled at Oak Ridge. 62% of the student body is White; 16% is Black; 14% is Asian, and 8% are of other races. The academy has 12.9 teachers (FTE) and a student-to-teacher ratio of 3.9. 98 percent of the academy's students are accepted to colleges. Programs Oak Ridge's classes are split between four departments and a miscellaneous category. These departments are English, Math, Science and History. The academy offers 11 honors classes, and 3 AP courses. == Extracurriculars ==

Oak Ridge hosts a "Junior Cadet Leadership Challenge" camp annually. The camp takes place over the course of five days, and includes physical activities, leadership training, and STEM training. Oak Ridge publishes a biannual magazine called the Oak Leaf. The magazine covers campus news, school events, obituaries, and alumni. == Notable alumni ==

• Zeb Alley, lawyer, lobbyist, and politician • Dale Earnhardt Jr., stock car racing driver, team owner, and broadcaster • Ray Hayworth, baseball player, manager and scout • Red Hayworth, baseball player, manager, coach and scout • Jessica Hernandez, singer • Alvin Paul Kitchin, politician • George Parrott, naval officer • George Stephens, college football player ==References==