Utah Military Academy
Riverdale, UT
"Integrity first; service before self; excellence in all we do."
The Verdict
Utah Military Academy stands as the largest Air Force Junior ROTC program in the western United States and one of only three public charter schools nationwide to earn the Distinguished Unit with Merit designation. Founded by a group of educators and military veterans, UMA was built on the conviction that a military-model school could turn structure and high expectations into disciplined leaders.
The Hill Field Campus opened its doors with 239 students in a Riverdale facility that founders furnished with surplus furniture and donated supplies from schools, military disposal sites, and committed parents. Now serving over 900 cadets across two campuses near Salt Lake City—Hill Field in Riverdale and Camp Williams in Lehi—plus an online learning center in St. George, UMA embodies its motto "Integrity first; service before self; excellence in all we do" through rigorous academic preparation and military-style character development. The school's Marauder mascot represents the determined, resilient spirit of cadets who perform over 5,000 community service hours annually.
About
Utah Military Academy is a tuition-free public charter school in Riverdale, Utah, serving grades 7-12 with the largest Air Force JROTC program in the western U.S.
Admissions & Selectivity
Admissions Philosophy
open
Key Requirements
- Complete online enrollment application (opens December 15th annually)
- Utah residency
- Commitment to military-style discipline and uniform requirements
- JROTC participation required from 8th grade and up
- Campus tour recommended before enrollment
Location
Campus & Facilities
Campus Size
Multi-campus
Housing
N/A
Enrollment
595
Student:Teacher
19:1
Campus Life
Daily Schedule
As a day school, UMA operates on a modified A/B format within JROTC classes. Mondays and Wednesdays are A days, Tuesdays and Thursdays are B days, and Fridays serve as flex days for remediation, reinforcement, special events, and physical training. Cadets wear uniforms daily representing the military culture that is 'part of life, every day, every way' at UMA. The structured environment provides robust academic and extracurricular instruction designed to develop academics, character, and leadership. Both campuses work closely with the Civil Air Patrol and Naval Sea Cadets, offering additional leadership development opportunities beyond the AFJROTC curriculum.
Discipline Model
Utah Military Academy operates under the Air Force JROTC discipline model, emphasizing the core values of integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do. The school uses a military framework not as reform but to teach self-discipline, leadership, and goal achievement. Cadets progress through a structured rank system with increasing responsibilities. The Four Pillars of UMA—Academics, Leadership, Citizenship, and Athletics—guide cadet development. Strong partnerships with an experienced board of directors, dedicated school leadership, and committed parents create a task-oriented environment that demands much of cadets while supporting them at every turn toward achieving their goals.
Academics & Outcomes
College Matriculation
N/A
Where Graduates Go
Since opening, Utah Military Academy has achieved 20 Service Academy Appointments, with 23 cadets receiving academy nominations over seven years. From 2016-2021 alone, 15 cadets received military academy appointments. Notably, one cadet in 2019 declined an Air Force Academy appointment to accept a full AFROTC Scholarship to Cornell University. Six cadets have been awarded spots at the AFROTC Flight Academy and two at the AFROTC Cyber Academy. The school has also produced 2 Ivy League acceptances and 1 National Merit Scholar, with cadets earning over $8 million in scholarships annually.
Hall of Fame
First Generation Graduates
Established UMA's legacy with 15 military academy appointments from 2016-2021 and over $7.5 million in scholarships, including 2 Ivy League acceptances and 1 National Merit Scholar
CyberPatriot Team Members
Nationally ranked competitive team; UMA selected as Air Force Beta school for the new Cyber for All Program
State Legislative Interns
Only high school in Utah with a State Legislative Internship program, matching top 10th and 11th grade cadets with Utah Legislators—the only high school interns in the state
Athletics & Physical Training
Varsity Sports
Mandatory PT
Physical training occurs every Friday as part of the AFJROTC program, with cadets wearing authorized PT gear including shorts, t-shirts, and running shoes. JROTC participation is mandatory from 8th grade and includes drill, PT, and military training components integrated into the academic program.
Facilities
Utah Military Academy operates two campuses with comprehensive athletic facilities. The Hill Field Campus (Riverdale) fields Thunderbirds teams while Camp Williams Campus (Lehi) competes as the Marauders. UMA boasts the largest air rifle range in Utah, home to their 4-time State Champion team that ranks among the top nationally. The school competes in UHSAA 2A classification and offers unique opportunities including boys volleyball—one of the few programs in Utah. Regional championships were achieved in 2017, 2020, 2021, and 2022, with state finishes including 3rd place in 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2nd place in 2021.
External Ratings
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Official Federal Data Sources
Verify information directly from U.S. Department of Education databases:
Photo Gallery
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Guides & Resources
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What Is a Military School?
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Military School Readiness Checklist: Is Your Child Ready?
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Do Military School Credits Transfer? What to Verify
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California's Tuition-Free Public Military Schools
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