New York Military Academy

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New York Military Academy
Toujours Prêt (Always Ready)
Location
Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY, USA
Information
Type Private, boarding school
(7th - 12th)
Established 1889
First Superintendent Charles Jefferson Wright
Campus 88 acres (360,000 m2)
51 buildings
Color(s) Maroon
Athletics 15 Interscholastic Sports
Mascot Knights
Website www.nyma.org

New York Military Academy, or NYMA, is an American private boarding school located in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York. It was founded in 1889 by Charles Jefferson Wright, a Civil War veteran and former school teacher from New Hampshire who believed that a military structure provided the best environment for academic achievement, a philosophy to which the school adhered. NYMA has a long history as a college preparatory school with a military structure that enrolled students from the New York metropolitan area as well as around the country and the world.

Wright's successor, Sebastian Jones, presided over the Academy from 1894–1922, guiding it during its most critical period of growth from a young and small institution of 48 cadets, through a disastrous fire in 1910, and throughout an extensive reconstruction program. NYMA is now one of the oldest military schools in the United States. In 1975, the Academy became a coeducational institution, admitting girls for the first time in the school's history.

The school has recently emerged from a difficult period in which it faced the possibility it would have to close its doors due to dwindling enrollment and financial problems. New York Military Academy held what was said to be "the final graduation ceremonies" in June, 2010.[1] [2] However, a group of alumni and local businessmen created a plan to save the school raising almost $6 million in a matter of weeks to create a foundation for a new and brighter future for the Academy under new board leadership. The vision for NYMA's future now holds that the school will be a “best practice” school providing 21st century educational programs for intentional learners in a student-centered constructivist environment that serves the developmental learning needs as well as the unique public/civic service-related aspirations of each individual cadet.

Location

The Academy is located in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York, in the Hudson Highlands, at the foot of Storm King Mountain, and just above the Hudson River. It is approximately 60 miles (97 km) north of New York City, or about one hour by car. This places NYMA in the Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley, which is easily accessible by airplane (KSWF, KEWR, KLGA, KJFK, or KALB) as well as train (Amtrak and Metro-North), bus, and automobile.

Organization

A parade ribbon presentation ceremony.

The size of the Corps of Cadets is adjusted depending on the number of students enrolled at the academy. The battalion typically consist of:

  • Command Staff
  • Band Company
  • Line Companies: Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Foxtrot and Golf
  • Delta troop or "D-troop": A Cavalry unit drawn from the equestrian program

At one time the Corps of Cadets consisted of Two Battalions organized into a Brigade

Brigade:

  • Command Staff/Brigade Staff

The First Battalion:

  • Battalion Staff
  • A Company
  • B Company
  • C Company
  • E Battery

The Second Battalion:

  • Battalion Staff
  • F Company
  • G Company
  • Band Company
  • D Troop Cavalry Company
  • Headquarters Company

Student life

NYMA strives to provide its students with a structured environment, placing an emphasis on leadership development. Although 80% of the Corps of Cadets comes from the Tri-State area, there is a large and growing mix of international students who enjoy the local activities that Cornwall-On-Hudson and the region have to offer.

The days at NYMA begin at 6:00 am and typically end at 10:00 pm. Cadets attend grade-specific classes during that time, and also participate in organized or intramural sports, activities, and study hall. During closed weekend, cadets are expected to attend additional leadership training, drill & ceremony, and maintain the appearance of their respective barracks. Upon gaining the opportunity for an open weekend, cadets in good academic standing could apply for weekend furlough.[3]

Hazing

While this practice is officially discouraged, and is against all rules and policies, a lawsuit was settled in which it had been claimed that physical and emotional abuse in the form of hazing had taken place in 2005.[4]

History

New York Military Academy was established on September 17, 1889 on 30 acres (120,000 m2) of land with 75 students by Charles Jefferson Wright. During the 1960s enrollment peaked at 525 students. Girls have been admitted since 1975. As of spring 2010, there were 145 students enrolled.[5]

Notable alumni

  • John W. Barnes, Class of 1920, President, Barnes & Noble, Inc., 1942–1964

Major buildings

  • Davis Chapel (contains the second-largest theater pipe organ in New York State, built by M.P. Moller)
  • Jones Barracks
  • Booth Library
  • Scarborough Hall
  • Pattillo Hall
  • Riley (formerly Dingley) Hall
  • Dickinson Hall
  • Alumni Gym and Pool

Athletics

The school's mascot is the Knight. The school competes in the following sports: Football, Basketball, Baseball, Soccer, Lacrosse, Rugby, Swimming, Softball, Track & Field, Volleyball, Cross-country, Wrestling, Tennis, Rifle Team, Golf, Drill Team and Raiders.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/06/nyregion/06towns.html
  2. ↑ http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100423/NEWS/4230377/-1/NEWS
  3. ↑ http://nyma.org/pages/sitepage.cfm?page=31030
  4. ↑ Randall, Michael. "Alleged stabber to back cadet's NYMA hazing claim", Times Herald-Record, March 23, 2005. Accessed February 21, 2010.
  5. ↑ Changing Times and Money Woes Doom a Military School, New York Times, May 6, 2010
  6. ↑ »
  7. ↑ Alfred Dennis Sieminski biography, United States Congress. Accessed June 29, 2007.
  8. ↑ Bender, Marilyn. "THE EMPIRE AND EGO OF DONALD TRUMP", The New York Times, August 7, 1983. Accessed November 21, 2007.

External links

Coordinates: 41°26′54″N 74°01′39″W / 41.4483°N 74.0275°W / 41.4483; -74.0275

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