Faqs

National History Academy is a 4-week residential summer program based in Middleburg, VA for rising 10th, 11th and 12th-grade students with an interest in American History. Through our experiential curriculum, students will have the opportunity to learn by doing – by experiencing American history in the places where it actually happened. Students will enjoy 3-4 trips to historic sites per week, supplemented by dynamic classroom experiences which include keynote lectures by distinguished guest speakers, History of American Democracy case studies developed by Harvard Business School Professor David Moss, parliamentary-style debates, and other unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.

National History Academy is based at Foxcroft School, a private boarding school in Middleburg, Virginia just outside Washington, D.C.

Students at National History Academy will learn the foundations of American History by visiting some of the most historic places in the United States and will have unprecedented access to distinguished scholars, political leaders, and the seminal documents that define our nation. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn about the leaders who helped shape and define this nation by walking in their footsteps.

Quite simply: there is no other program like this in the Nation.

Students who are interested in attending should submit an application which includes GPA, test scores, and a short essay. Students may also include a letter of recommendation from a teacher, guidance counselor, principal or community leader, and some students may also be asked to participate in a brief phone or zoom interview.

Applications will be reviewed by a committee and judged on maturity of response and understanding of the topic. Students whose applications are successful will be invited to register for the National History Academy.

Admissions decisions are made monthly on a rolling basis.

The National History Academy is passionate about teaching students American history through an innovative, experiential approach, and our teachers and counselors play a vital role in this experience. Students will be taught by a staff of accomplished master teachers who are experienced in weaving together immersive experiences, Case Method Institute history cases, debates, the Advanced Placement (AP) history curriculum, and innovative projects to create a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students.

Students will not receive college credit, but will receive a certificate of completion.

The National History Academy has a capacity of 90 students.

The National History Academy is accredited by the American Camp Association and meets or exceeds national standards for summer programs.

Students of National History Academy are recruited from across the country and internationally. In 2022, students from 26 states, five countries, and one U.S. territory joined us.  The four states with the greatest representation in 2024 were Texas, California, New York, and Florida.

Although the schedule is subject to change, students at the Academy will most likely visit the following sites (and possibly several more):

• Native American Sites
• Jamestown
• Williamsburg
• Presidential sites including:
  • George Washington’s Mount Vernon
  • Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello
  • James Madison’s Montpelier
• African American slavery sites
• Civil War sites including:
  • Gettysburg National Military Park
  • Antietam National Battlefield
• National Parks including:
  • The Appalachian Trail National Park
  • The National Mall
  • Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
• Civil Rights sites including:
  • The Lincoln Memorial
  • Storer College
• The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
• Washington, D.C.
  • The Smithsonian National Museum of American History
  • The U.S. Capitol
  • The National Mall
  • President Lincoln’s Cottage

The National History Academy is designed for highly motivated 10th, 11th and 12th-grade students with an interest in American history, government and law.

It’s fun! Students will share bedrooms and bathrooms, but all beds are across the hall in separate “sleeping porches,” an integral part of the Foxcroft School experience.

Dorms are separated by gender, with same-sex teaching staff living on each floor.

See the “Student Life” page for more information.

At National History Academy, we know that a balanced diet for our students is important. That is why we are committed to delivering a healthy, delicious menu with options to satisfy even the pickiest eater. Students will be able to select from a variety of options, so accommodating food allergies, vegetarian diets and most other dietary restrictions won’t be an issue. Please call if you have a specific need you would like to discuss.

The pool is open most days, trivia nights and movie nights are a regular occurrence, and tennis matches, softball games, and ping pong tournaments add a bit of friendly competition! Students will have access to a gymnasium, playing fields, games, the library, and hiking trails at Foxcroft.

Weekends will include learning experiences, lectures, and some day trips to historic sites.

Please also see the previous question – what we do for fun!

Yes, students are allowed to have cell phones so long as they are used responsibly and do not disturb other students. Students may not talk on their phones on the sleeping porches of the dorms, which are a silent zone. Cell phones may not be used during classes or tours of historic sites (other than to take pictures, when allowed). Please see our full cell phone policy here.

Yes, students will have internet access.

Students are expected to be in bed with the lights off at 11:00 pm every night.

The majority of our Academy experience is programmed to make the most of our short time together. Parents and families will be invited the final day, Friday, August 1, 2025, for a closing ceremony.

Foxcroft School is a smoke-free campus, and the National History Academy has a strict zero-tolerance policy regarding vaping, tobacco and alcohol.

Foxcroft School is located in Middleburg, Virginia, a safe and quiet hamlet in the Virginia countryside. To further ensure the safety of students, the Foxcroft campus has a gatehouse, which is manned by security at all times.

All dormitories are secure, with students only having access to their own building.

Yes, teaching staff are assigned to live in the dorms. Dorms are separated by gender, with same-sex teaching staff staying in private rooms on each floor.

The National History Academy employs professional nurses staffing a health center to provide first-aid and response to minor ailments and injuries. Approximately five miles away are several family practice offices. Within 15 miles, there are two level-III trauma centers, and within 35 miles there is a level-I trauma center. The D.C. area boasts some of the most highly rated medical facilities and hospitals in the nation.

Yes. The nursing staff will provide supervision and safeguard of all medication.

No, students cannot have cars at the Academy. All transportation will be provided by coach bus.

Students who are accepted will be invited to register for the Academy. Tuition must be paid in full by June 15, 2025.

Families paying by credit card have the option to pay in full at the time of enrollment or can pay in three equal installments.

Financial aid is available on a need basis. Students who would like to be considered for financial aid should indicate this on their Academy application. Academy staff will contact these families directly for financial information. Families are notified if they have received financial aid at the same time as they receive notification about the admission decisions.

Financial aid is available on a need basis. Students who would like to be considered for financial aid should indicate this on their Academy application and complete the financial aid section in full. Academy staff will contact these families directly to verify the financial information provided. Families are notified if they have received financial aid at the same time as they receive notification about the admission decisions.

The cost of the four-week residential camp is $9,995 per student, inclusive of room, board, learning materials, transportation, and admission to historic sites. Financial aid is available on a need basis.

National History Academy is hosted by Foxcroft School, which sits on 500 acres of countryside in Middleburg, Virginia. Just 35 minutes from Dulles Airport (IAD), 43 miles west of Washington, D.C., and within view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Foxcroft’s location is convenient to both culture and countryside.

The National History Academy will provide a shuttle bus to and from Dulles International Airport at set times to be announced closer to the start of the Academy.

Students are permitted to have cell phones at National History Academy, but please be advised that reception at Foxcroft School is incredibly limited. There are “house phones” available in the common rooms of dorms, but the easiest communication while on campus is through email and text message.

Please see National History Academy’s Cell Phone Policy below for full details regarding permitted usage.

NATIONAL HISTORY ACADEMY CELL PHONE POLICY

This policy addresses the use of cell phones, computing devices, and portable music and entertainment systems by students and staff in the classroom, on field trips, and with guest speakers.

National History Academy believes that cell phones and other electronic devices are tools and resources for learning, but that some restrictions are necessary at certain times out of courtesy and respect for students, teachers, staff, guides and guests.

CLASSROOM POLICY
Students are permitted to bring the following electronic items to class: 1) cell phones; and 2) laptops, tablets, iPads and other similar computing devices (“computing devices”). Portable music and entertainment systems, such as iPods, MP3 players, PSP, and Nintendo DS (“entertainment systems”) generally are not allowed in the classroom unless specifically allowed by your teacher for educational purposes.

Cell phones must be turned off and put away out of sight during instructional time, except for instructional and educational purposes with the explicit approval of the teacher.
Computing systems may not be turned on or used during instructional time, except for instructional and educational purposes with the explicit approval of the teacher.
Unless there is an emergency, staff or students shall not use cell phones for personal use, e.g., calls, Facetime, texting, emailing, etc.

FIELD TRIP POLICY
Field trips to historic sites are considered instructional time, and electronic devices may only be used for educational purposes.  Unless there is an emergency situation, staff or students shall not use cell phones for personal use, e.g., calls, Facetime, texting, emailing, etc., during a field trip.
Students and staff are permitted to bring cell phones, computing devices, and entertainment systems on bus rides during field trips.  Headphones should be used at all times on the bus.  Students may not have verbal cell phone conversations on the bus without permission. Staff may have limited verbal cell phone conversations on the bus only for Academy planning and coordinating purposes.

Once a bus arrives at a site destination, use of entertainment devices and headphones are no longer allowed.  These items should be secured and left on the bus or placed in your backpack.
During a site field trip, all students and staff will give full attention to the guide or guest speaker. Cell phones should be silenced. Students may not use cell phones while a teacher or guide is speaking or interacting directly with the group.  During such an interaction, staff may minimally use cell phone cameras only for taking photos to document the event or for discreetly communicating with other Academy staff about trip logistics.

An exception to the above rule applies to students using GoPros or the cell phone video function as part of a pre-approved Academy project.  If making a film, this should be done as discreetly as possible with the permission of your teacher and with knowledge of staff.

When walking between stops, at pauses during a tour, or during discretionary time, staff and teachers may use their cell phones for taking photos, the note-taking function, and for other purposes to advance their learning at the site, as long as such use does not interfere with the talk or tour.

GUEST SPEAKER POLICY
When a guest speaker visits with students at Foxcroft or at a historic site, all students and staff will give full attention to the speaker. Cell phones should be silenced and/or turned off, and securely put away.  Unless there is an emergency, staff or students shall not use cell phones for personal use, e.g., calls, Facetime, texting, emailing, etc., during a talk by a guest speaker.
An exception to the above rule applies to students using GoPros or the cell phone video function as part of a pre-approved Academy project.  If making a film, this should be done as discreetly as possible with the permission of your teacher and with knowledge of staff.

While a guest is speaking, staff may minimally use cell phone cameras only for taking photos to document the event or for discreetly communicating with other Academy staff about logistics.
After a talk by a guest, students and staff may use cell phone cameras for photos with that person.

MISCELLANEOUS
·      Cell phones, computing devices and portable music and entertainment systems may not be turned on or used during fire drills, other emergency preparedness exercises or during the event of an actual emergency unless otherwise directed by Academy staff.
·      Cell phones, computing devices, and portable music and entertainment systems may not be used in bathrooms, and may only be used on the sleeping porches with the use of headphones so as not to disturb fellow residents.
·      Cell phones, computing devices, and portable music and entertainment systems may not be used for audio/video or photographic recording of a person without their consent.

CONFISCATION AND RETURN OF ELECTRONIC ITEMS
If a student continually violates this policy and misuses cell phones, computing devices, and portable music entertainment systems in a way that interferes with the Academy’s learning environment and after a verbal warning by staff, the Academy may confiscate that student’s electronic device and return it at the end of the day.  If such misuse becomes habitual, the item may be confiscated and returned to parent/guardian after a phone conference with them.
Staff members who violate this policy will receive a warning. Habitual violation will result in appropriate disciplinary action.

NO LIABILITY FOR DAMAGE, THEFT, OR LOSS
The Academy is not responsible for stolen, damaged or lost cell phones, computing devices or portable music and entertainment systems.  In the event that a cell phone, computing device, or portable music and entertainment system is reported stolen, our staff will thoroughly investigate the incident and address any student-related misconduct accordingly. Students may want to bring some spending money to purchase souvenirs at historic sites, or to purchase snacks at the vending machine or concession stand.

Regardless of gender, clothing must cover the chest, torso and underwear.
Students are not allowed to wear any item depicting or advocating violence, criminal activity, alcohol or drug use, pornography or hate speech.
Students are required to wear National History Academy shirts on all trips and occasionally in the classroom (check the schedule for the specific shirt each day). When wearing National History Academy shirts, the only hat allowed to be worn is the National History Academy hat.

Students may want to bring some spending money to purchase souvenirs at historic sites, or to purchase snacks at the vending machine or in the PX (campus convenience store).

Headgear

• Sunhat or Baseball Cap (one will be provided)
• Eyeglasses and/or contacts
• Sunglasses
• Facemasks
• For students who wear glasses, a glasses strap for ziplining and tubing (croakies or similar)

Clothing

• T-shirts or polos (students will be given 2 t-shirts and 2 polo shirts to be worn on field trips)
• Shorts
• Long Pants
• Jeans
• Light Jacket or Sweater, just in case
• Raincoat
• Athletic clothes for activity days
• Swim Suit
• Dress Clothes for lectures and formal events – Boys should bring a blazer or a sport coat. Girls may want to bring a blazer or dress.
• Pajamas and Robe
• Underwear

Footwear

• Comfortable walking shoes (we walk a lot!)
• Sandals/Flip-flops, or other shoes that can get wet
• Dress Shoes
• Socks
• Shower Shoes

Bed & Bath

• Towels — Bath, Hand, and Beach (for the pool)
• XL Twin Mattress Pad
• Blanket
• Pillow and Pillow Case
• XL Twin Sheets
• Laundry Bag
• Laundry Soap
• Bath mat (one required per room)

Bathroom Kit

• Brush and Comb
• Shampoo
• Soap and Soap Container
• Toothbrush and Holder
• Toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Hand soap (this is not provided in dorm bathrooms)
• Sunblock
• Insect repellant

Gear

• Laptop computer or Tablet (a limited number of loaners will be available)
• Backpack for day trips (one will be provided)
• Reusable water bottle (one will be provided)
• Notebook (one will be provided)
• Pens/Pencils
• Students not born in the USA should bring a passport or green card. Some federal facilities, including the White House, will not allow students born outside the US to enter without these documents.