National History Academy is a four-week residential summer program for rising high school 10th, 11th and 12th grade students, held in Middleburg, Virginia. Each July, students come together to explore American history through immersive, hands-on learning experiences that take them to key historical sites. With a unique blend of classroom discussions and travel-based education, the program offers students a deeper understanding of history and its relevance to the present and future.
Spend your summer walking in the footsteps of leaders who helped define and shape the American story, including Presidents, civil rights leaders, and soldiers who fought for the birth and survival of the nation. See and learn about seminal documents that shaped our history from subject matter experts and master teachers. Get behind-the-scenes access to historic sites no other program can provide.
The Academy offers a unique blend of formal and informal learning with opportunities for first-hand experiences at the nation’s premier historic landmarks in Washington, DC, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. The program explores the extraordinary events and leaders of American history from pre-colonial times to the 21st century. This was the period when the idea of America took shape and when this idea survived the trauma of Civil War.
At the same time, the Academy will focus on major themes—everyday life in the American colonies; the principles of liberty and equality embodied in America’s founding documents; the divisive and decisive debate over slavery; the transformation of the national economy through the industrial and transportation revolutions; and the social and cultural impact of the struggle for civil rights.
National History Academy offers an inspiring and engaging learning environment. Each week, you will spend three days visiting our country’s seminal historic sites and three days in the classroom delving deeply into major themes related to those site visits.
The Academy utilizes a hybrid of formal and informal learning methods through case discussion, debates, reading texts, watching films and documentaries, and lectures by noted scholars. You will further explore all of this through collaborative learning experiences during the immersive on-site visits.
Location(s)
- The Foxcroft School, Middleburg, Virginia
Schedule
- June 28 - July 24, 2026
Cost/Compensation
- Tuition: $9,995
Eligibility Requirements
- Students should be highly motivated 10th, 11th, and 12th graders with an interest in American history, government, and law.
Deadline
- Early Deadline: February 1, 2026
- Deadline: April 15, 2026
Application or Entry Requirements
- A completed online application
- Short essay
- Optional: Letter of recommendation
- Some students may be asked to participate in a Zoom or phone interview
Notifications of Decisions
Financial Aid Details
- Full and partial scholarships are 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. Families are notified if they have received financial aid at the same time they receive notification about admission decisions.
Other Dates to Keep in Mind
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The National History Academy is a unique summer program that offers high school students a comprehensive and immersive experience in American history. Founded in 2016, the academy provides participants with the opportunity to explore the nation's past through a combination of academic coursework, hands-on activities, and experiential learning. The program exposes students to primary sources, historical reenactments, and site visits, fostering a deep understanding of key events, themes, and debates in American history. Led by expert historians and educators, the National History Academy encourages critical thinking, collaboration, and engagement with diverse perspectives.
