SOLVED. YA Adventure Book where a poor boy, against all odds, tries to get into a good academy, Spoilers ahead. [s]

[Alec]

To get into the academy there is a very difficult test at his local school.
He gets into the academy with some help, I remember that fencing is offered at this academy and in one of the books in the series he and his friends go to a fencing tournament hosted by a few schools.

One of the books has a storyline that includes the protagonist and his friends looking around the ancient school where I think they find a hidden room that they begin to use for fighting lessons?

I read this book around 2013.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Is the book 100% realistic? No fantasy elements?

[Alec]

I am about %80 sure that there are a few fantasy elements, but they are in the background.

[Alec]

The book I was looking for was Knightley Academy

[Rosa]

Knightley Academy for the link. I’m glad you found it!