Academy of Richmond County

The Academy of Richmond County (ARC) is a public high school in Augusta, Georgia. Originally known as Richmond County Military Academy, and commonly known as Richmond Academy, it was chartered in 1783. This makes it the one of the oldest existing public high schools in the United States, and by far the oldest existing public high school in the South. President George Washington attended graduation ceremonies at ARC in 1791.

Initially an all-male, privately funded school, it became a military school after the American Civil War. Richmond Academy ultimately transitioned into a co-educational, traditional high school during the last half of the 20th century. The school retains a large Army ROTC contingent.

The school mascot is a musketeer, and the school colors are purple and gold. The Academy of Richmond County has an International Baccularate programme or IB programme there. This program teaches extremely smart people on a college level.