 He graduated from Oakland Mills High School in Columbia, Maryland in 1985.He earned a bachelor of science degree in mathematics (with a French minor) from the United States Air Force Academy in 1989 and a master of aeronautical science degree in aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1997.While at the Air Force Academy, Virts attended the École de l'Air in 1988 on an exchange program.