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 Frequently Asked Questions
Headmaster Robert J. Fine, Jr. says:
“We are a college prep school that functions, appreciates, and values operating within a military framework. We value that our students are asked to say "yes sir" and "no ma'am," we value a dress code that we hope enable our students to gain an appreciation of first impressions, we value the peer leadership opportunities our students can take of advantage of, we value the development of self-discipline and ethical behavior, and finally, we value the fact that our faculty and staff are concerned about the whole child academically and peronally. We embrace our military structure, and as a parent, I am not sure why other parents would not want those same values instilled in their child. So why does the word "military" denote non-academic and non-college prep? I am not sure. But I do know the word is often associated with self-discipline, honor, and well manners. I know as a parent I want that for my children as much as I want academics.”
The well-rounded skill set our students gain for college and beyond are a combination of many opportunities:
- Advanced academics to earn college credit
- Responsibility and independence gained from being a 5 or 7 day boarder
- Discipline and leadership instilled through the Naval Jr. ROTC program
- Passion to live an active lifestyle through the athletics and sailing program
- Appreciation for creating life-long friendships with peers, faculty, and staff
- Community involvement to be a part of something bigger than yourself
- Expanding aviation career opportunities by earning a Private Pilot’s License
View our historical timeline.
Admiral Farragut Academy (AFA) was founded in 1933 in Tom's River New Jersey as an all boys, boarding military school. The school is named after Admiral David Glasgow Farragut, the first U.S. Naval officer to rise to that rank. The South campus was established in St. Petersburg, Florida in 1945 and the two campuses ran simultaneously until the North campus closed in 1994. It became co-educational in 1990. Today, AFA has an elementary school as well as a middle and high school. We are a college preparatory school with a military component that we use to teach leadership, self-discipline, respect and wellness. The academy has produced two lunar astronauts (Shepard and Duke), national leaders in the areas of finance, business, philanthropy, entertainment, as well as scores of military officers.
We are located on the west coast of Florida, in the sunny city of St. Petersburg. The nearest International Airport is Tampa International Airport located about 30 minutes from campus. The school is on beautiful Boca Ciega Bay near Treasure Island offering students easy access to water activities and sports.
501 Park Street North, St. Petersburg, Florida 33710
Farragut Hall was built as a hotel by Walter Fuller in the 1920's and was called the Jungle Prada Resort and Hotel. The resort comprised of 300 acres, including waterfront property and three golf courses. Today, the neighborhoods behind the school are known as Jungle Prada and the streets are named after golf terms. AFA currently owns 33 acres of property including the waterfront. The hotel rooms were converted into dorm rooms and each room has a bathroom and closet. This sets us apart from other boarding schools that have common bathrooms shared by many students.
We are 5 minutes from several beaches and have movie theaters, malls and restaurants nearby. St. Petersburg has several museums, aquariums and nature parks. The Fort Desoto beaches are ranked as best in the world and are only 20 minutes away.
Busch Gardens and Ellenton shopping outlets are a forty-five minute drive from AFA. We are also an hour and a half away from Orlando with the following attractions: Walt Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studios, Hollywood Studios, Adventure Island, Premium shopping outlets and much more.
We are 45 minutes south of Tarpon Springs which is famous for their Greek restaurants and sponge docks. Also, the school is just 30 minutes south of Clearwater Beach which has beautiful white sand beaches.
We are 30 minutes west of Tampa, which is home to three professional sports teams: The Rays (baseball, stadium located in St. Petersburg), The Buccaneers (football), Lightning (hockey) and Rowdies (soccer). Ybor City and Channelside are two popular Tampa attractions known for their restaurants and entertainment.
We are a gated property located in a nice, family oriented neighborhood near many parks and some restaurants. We have security staff on campus at all times - during and after the school day. We also have additional all-night security staff that secures the premises from 10pm to 6am. All gates are closed and secured nightly by 10:30 pm.
Dormitories have security alarmed doors, which also separate the male and female dorms.
Faculty and staff members live with the students and are available 24/7 when they are on duty. Full-time Res Life members are on duty 5 days/nights a week and are relieved by part-time Res Life members (school teachers or adminstrators that work year-long) who are on duty two nights a week and pre-scheduled weekends.
There are approximately 20 faculty and staff members living on campus. There are always a minimum of 10 that are actively on duty per night.
We have an average of 80 students in the Elementary School which includes grades PreK to 5th grade. We have an average of 75 students in the Middle School which includes grades 6 to 8. The High School has an average of 230 students from grades 9 to 12.
Admiral Farragut Academy went coed in 1990.
Our boy to girl ratio is 3:1 and we hope to increase our female population. Girls adapt very well to the time management skills we teach and the structure that we have to offer, plus grow extremely close to one another.
High School -- 16 to 20 per class, honor classes can have more students
Middle School -- 15 to 18 per class
Elementary School -- class limit is 18
We have approximately 160 boarding students living in the dorms from 15 states and 25 countries.
Our total enrollment is approximately 400 students from Pre-K to grade 12.
Yes, we offer 8 Advanced Placement classes and 29 Dual Enrollment credits as well as virtual on-line classes. Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment classes give high school students the opportunity to complete college credits.
Click here to learn about Advanced Placement (AP) classes
Click here to learn about Dual Enrollment
We have three seasons: fall, winter and spring.
Fall: Swimming & Diving, Cross Country, Golf, Football, Volleyball
Winter: Basketball, Soccer, Wrestling
Spring: Baseball, Track & Field, Tennis, Lacrosse, Softball
We also offer Sailing, Aviation, Scuba, Dragon Boat Racing, Drill and Color Guard throughout the year. Most of our girls play sports, therefore we do not have an official cheerleading team. Our students gather together and create their own ways to show Team Spirit by making posters, dressing up and more for big games.
See athletic photos
We look for academic achievement and promise, as shown by a student's transcripts, test scores, evaluations, interview and teacher recommendations. We pay close attention to personal qualities, which we measure through motivation, character, extracurricular interests and the ability to adapt to the Farragut community. Most importantly, students should see Admiral Farragut Academy as an opportunity. We want students that are self motivated, well-rounded and that will participate in extracurricular activities and sports.
Students that may need additional attention due to defiant disorder, significant psychological need, low IQ scores, and major learning differences may not benefit from attending Farragut.
We offer a certain level of discipline and structure but a student that continues to push the limits will have serious consequences.
- CAT (California Achievement Test)
We also prepare students for College Standardized Testing, such as:
- SAT (Standford Achievement Test)
- ACT (American College Testing)
We do accept students with learning differences on a case by case basis. We have a Center of Academic Success that will offer customized learning. We cannot accept students with any behavior issues. We require all psychological educational testing as part of the admissions requirements. A decision regarding admission is made after reviewing this paperwork. If we feel the need for more testing, we will let parents know.
High School Center of Academic Success
Middle School Center of Academic Success
Students are expected to have these items with them when they arrive!
Please note that some items are available at the Ship's Store which is located on campus.
- Personal pillow(s) with pillowcases (3 sets). Available in Ship's Store
- Twin bedsets (3 sets) - Bottom sheet may be contour or regular. If regular, the sheet shall be tucked in with hospital corners. Mattress covers or mattress pads can be used!
- Twin bedspread
- Blanket Available in Ship's Store
- Bath towels: 5
- Washclothes: 5
- Toiletries
- Laundry Bag: 2
- Bathmat
- Proper Civilian Attire
- Long Black Socks: 8-10 pairs
- Long Athletic Socks: 8-10 pairs
- Cleaning Supplies
- Plastic Clothing Hangars
- Surge protector REQUIRED
Only such articles as clothing, books, or other equipment authorized by the school are allowed in cadet quarters. Farragut does allow a small refrigerator (approved by the Director of Residential Life) and floor rugs.
Each student is allowed to keep one regulation size footlocker and one small overnight bag. Additional luggage must be placed in the luggage room immediately after arrival. Luggage needed for overnights, long weekends, or longer leave periods may be drawn from the luggage room but must be returned to the luggage room immediately after return from leave. Such luggage must be marked with luggage tags.
SAGE Dining Services provides our catering.
Three hot meals are served daily to our boarding cadets while the lunch meal is available for our day students. The menu consists of a well-balanced hot buffet, salad bar, deli bar, fruit, and beverages. We often serve themed and international meals. All meals made from fresh ingredients and are free of trans fat.
See this week's Menu
Around 20 faculty and staff members live on campus. Faculty and staff that live on campus are also responsible for coaching, teaching and after school activities. Campus housing includes: two houses, private apartments, and apartments within the dormitories.
During the academic day students are required to wear uniforms that change by day. There are three uniforms that our students wear: Travel Gear, Salt and Peppers, and Navy Service (NSU).
After school boarding students are required to be in Farragut attire.
Boys should always have short hair and be shaved. All hair for girls and boys must be of normal color. Nails should appear natural.
Click here for all the uniform details.
The NJROTC stands for Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, which is our high school program because we are an Honor Naval Academy. Our Elementary School does not take any part in this and our Middle School is slowly introduced by having to follow the same uniform and participation in parades.
A cadet is a junior or trainee officer in the military. We use this term often to refer to our High School students since it is a requirement to be enrolled in the Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) Program.
Enrollment Referral Program Guidelines
- The family must mention the referral person during initial contact (first couple of times)
- New student must complete two consecutive semesters and their tuition must be paid in full
- The referring family will receive the credit towards tuition after the year is complete (unless it is a graduating senior)
- If several families refer a new family, we will split the referral fee by the number of families
- This applies to current families only (not alumni)
- Families will receive a 1099 form
- Employees are not eligible for this program
- $1000 awarded for boarding students
- $500 awarded for day students
- This amount is per family NOT per student
- If the family that made the referral is expelled or owes tuition they will not receive the referral fee
- Babe Ruth, famously known for baseball, signed his first $100K contract in the courtyard of Farragut Hall.
- The famous gangster, Al Capone, stayed at the Jungle Country Club many times ( this was before it changed from the Jungle Country Club hotel to AFA).
- Admiral Farragut was the first naval U.S. officer to achieve Admiral Rank.
- AFA is the only private school to have the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps Program.
- An AFA graduate, Alan Shepard, was the first American in space.
- The second AFA alumnus to go into space was Charles Duke.
- The aviation program was established in 2007.
- The Act of Congress designated AFA as an honor naval academy in 1946.
- AFA established it’s Elementary School in 1999.
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