Admiral Farragut Academy
St. Petersburg, FL
"Success is Never Accidental"
The Verdict
Admiral Farragut Academy stands as a legendary institution that has produced two of the twelve men who walked on the Moon—Rear Admiral Alan Shepard and Brigadier General Charles Duke.
Founded in 1933 and named after America's first admiral, the school occupies a stunning 40-acre gated waterfront campus along the shores of Boca Ciega Bay in St. Petersburg, Florida. The campus features a dedicated yacht basin, boathouse, and direct bay access where dolphins and manatees are frequently spotted.
Originally a luxury 1920s resort transformed into an educational institution, many historic stucco buildings remain, including Farragut Hall, designated a local historic landmark in 1992.
About
Admiral Farragut Academy, founded in 1933, is a private coed college-prep school in St. Petersburg with a naval tradition. Unique programs include Aviation (students can earn their Private Pilot's License at 16 with Embry-Riddle dual enrollment), Marine Science, SCUBA certification, and NJROTC. PreK-12, with boarding for grades 8-12. Two alumni walked on the Moon.
Tuition & Costs
2025-2026 RatesBoarding
$62,000
Day Student
$32,100
International
$67,000
*7-day boarding shown; 5-day boarding: $52,800. Day rates vary by grade (K-5: $22,700, 6-7: $25,800, 8-12: $32,100). A daily lunch is included in school tuition. All families are required to pay an annual $200 Enrollment Fee & $250 Tech.Ed Licensing Fee per student. Tuition does not include: Books and Access Fees, Uniforms, Entrance Fees or Overnight Field Trips, Student School Supplies, After School Activities or Extra-Curriculars, Center for Academic Success Services, Aftercare (Grades K-4), Private Tutoring, AP Course Test Fees ($97 per exam), Aviation Course Fees or Scuba Course Fees, Boarding Student Expense Accounts (mandatory for boarding students), Medical Insurance for international students (estimated at $1,200).
View official tuition pageAdmissions & Selectivity
Admissions Philosophy
open
Key Requirements
- School transcripts
- Teacher recommendation letters
- Application essay
- Personal interview (highly recommended)
- TOEFL 70 or IELTS 5 for international students
Admitted Student Profile
90%
Acceptance Rate
3.58
Avg GPA
1160
Avg SAT
Location
Campus & Facilities
Campus Size
40 acres
Housing
Barracks
Enrollment
453
Student:Teacher
10:1
Barracks Life
Housing Type
barracks
Daily Schedule
The day begins with Reveille at 0630, followed by uniform inspection on the West Grinder. Academic classes run 0800-1505, with structured lunch periods. Afternoons from 1505-1645 are dedicated to extracurriculars and athletics, including waterfront activities like sailing and kayaking. Dinner is served 1730-1830, followed by mandatory study hall 1900-2030. Students prepare uniforms and complete room inspections before free time at 2100. Call to Quarters sounds at 2145, and Taps signals lights out at 2200 when all wings are secured and alarmed.
Discipline Model
As an Honor Naval Academy designated by Act of Congress and reaccredited annually by the Department of the Navy, Admiral Farragut Academy follows the NJROTC discipline model. The Corps of Cadets has earned the NJROTC Distinguished Unit Award ten consecutive years. The program instills core Navy values including accountability, self-discipline, and respect. All eighth-graders complete one year of Naval Science, and upper school students may continue in the NJROTC program with leadership positions based on seniority, performance, and qualifications.
Academics & Outcomes
College Matriculation
100%
Where Graduates Go
The school is authorized by Congress to nominate cadets directly to the Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and West Point. In 2024, 5% of graduates attended a military academy and 3% attended a military college. Recent appointments include the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and U.S. Air Force Academy. The Class of 2024 earned over $6 million in merit scholarships.
Hall of Fame
RADM Alan Shepard, Jr., USN (Ret.)
First American in space (1961), fifth person to walk on the Moon (Apollo 14, 1971), first astronaut promoted to rear admiral
Brig Gen Charles Duke, USAF (Ret.)
Tenth person to walk on the Moon (Apollo 16, 1972)
RADM Mark H. Buzby, USN (Ret.)
Former Administrator of the United States Maritime Administration
Maj. Megan M. McClung
First female Marine officer killed in the Iraq War, awarded Bronze Star and Purple Heart
Lorenzo Lamas
Actor known for Falcon Crest and Renegade
Casper Van Dien
Actor known for Starship Troopers
Athletics & Physical Training
Varsity Sports
Mandatory PT
All cadets participate in physical training as part of the NJROTC program and athletic requirements. The academy won first place in the AMCSUS Physical Training Challenge.
Facilities
Huntley Gymnasium with renovated floor and wall pads, outdoor exercise area with strength equipment, private pool, 40-acre waterfront campus on Boca Ciega Bay with yacht basin and boathouse, and sailboats, kayaks, and paddleboards for waterfront activities.
External Ratings
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Official Federal Data Sources
Verify information directly from U.S. Department of Education databases:
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