MMA Re-enrollment Reaches Highest Rate This Decade
Mexico, Missouri (PRWEB) September 11, 2013 -- Missouri Military Academy President Charles A. McGeorge has announced news of the highest re-enrollment rate at MMA in more than a decade. Re-enrollment jumped to 70 percent, up from 63 percent the previous year and higher than the average for schools similar to MMA.
“This news is especially encouraging because it comes on the heels of an 8 percent improvement in attrition,” McGeorge said. “These metrics clearly reveal that we have made, and are making, a significant difference through the various refinements we have made this past year.”
The Academy attributes the change to refinements to the cadet life program, which include the addition of Royal Marines Commando (Ret.) WO2 Richard “Rik” Thornton as the Director of Cadet Life. Thornton previously served as the Commandant at Valley Forge Military Academy and College in Wayne, Pa. He initiated an enhanced activities program, cadet leadership and new recruit training processes and also introduced an expanded training program for all residence life staff.
Thornton was asked to develop an enriching and fulfilling cadet life program, a major part of which was the introduction of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award to MMA. Cadets enrolled in the DOEA program must work toward mastering a skill, getting physically fit and performing community service for at least one hour every week. Activities available to cadets include exhibition drill, archery, fencing, rocketry, first aid, robotics, film and photography, Boy Scouts, bicycling, fishing, NRA marksmanship and meditation. A fourth component teaches adventure skills.
Prior to Thornton’s arrival on campus in April 2013, improvements were already underway, including the development of a new cadet counseling program and increased communication between residence life staff, teachers and parents.
“Improvements in attrition and re-enrollment do not just happen on their own,” Commandant of Cadets LTC Gregory Seibert said. “The hard work and efforts of both the academic and residential staff have been instrumental in the overall improvement and successes this past year.”
Director of Enrollment Management David Adams pointed to improved communication with cadet families and student support throughout the school day as factors in the re-enrollment rate increase.
“Our retention momentum involves our entire Missouri Military Academy team, faculty, staff, support services, our students, parents and alums,” Adams said.
Established in 1889, Missouri Military Academy is A Preparatory School with a Military Tradition. MMA’s 360˚ EducationTM fosters academic excellence, character development and leadership training in a safe, structured environment for boys in grades 6-12 from around the world. For more information, visit MissouriMilitaryAcademy.org.
Christine Smith, Missouri Military Academy, http://www.missourimilitaryacademy.org/, +1 (573) 581-1776 326, [email protected]
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