This school was the absolute worst experience of my life. For years I was bullied (physically and emotionally) and the teachers/administration did nothing. The dorm was like a prison. I remember the R.A.'s used to humiliate me and gossip about me with the other students. The Dorm mother at the time was a narcissistic bully. I am surprised parents still send their kids to this God forsaken place. If you are not rich and white you won't fit in. Do not come here if you have any learning disabilities. This school was extremely cliquey to the max. Rumors, gossip, and public humiliation is what they thrive on. Needless to say I was a complete loner my time there. I remember this one volleyball coach would constantly stare at the star athlete's a$$...he was a complete creeper...mustache and all. I did not feel safe at that school. I honestly believe all the 5 star reviews you see on the other websites are from actual employees or the school pays for those reviews. If you notice every negative review gets hidden or deleted. I've also heard from numerous males that attended this school that their alot of sexual harassment and physical bullying that goes on in the dorm. There has even been numerous lawsuits over sexual harassment. One of the staff member who worked there was arrested for molestation. If you don't believe me google it. This school has the potential to ruin your kid's life. Alot of the kids that are sent to board there are due to the fact their parents didn't want to deal with them (excluding the international students). The boarding kids had alot of behavioral problems and aggression especially the males. I remember hearing several male students brag about giving this overweight kid a "blanket party." I can't speak for the day students because most of the day students didn't interact with the boarding students. This wasn't your typical high school. There was no school spirit whatsoever. It was nothing like Friday Night Lights. Not your typical Texas High School. A majority of the student body's ambition was to get into Texas State or ACC if they couldn't get into UT (excluding the international kids because they ended up going to all the Ivy League's). Sometimes I wonder how my life would of ended up if I was never enrolled there, but lesson learned. Parents beware if you truly love your kids and want the best for them send them elsewhere. This is a honest unbiased opinion but I'm sure some SMA admin will try and have it flagged, blocked, and deleted because that is what they do best....cover stuff up. There are alot of dark skeletons in that school's history. I pray you take this review to heart because I have something that they lack.....Integrity. read more

Do not send your kids here. It's full of stuck up rich white kids. Most of the students end up going to Texas State. I had only two good teachers during my time there. The rest were just bitter washed up old hags. Do not let your kids board here either because there is alot of favortism and unprofessional employees working there!! There was even a sexual harassment scandal in the boys dormitory years ago. The male dorm staff were sexually harassing the students!!! Jeff Baergen you need to RETIRE!!!! Do not let your kids around this "man"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This school is not worth the money. Full of cliques and the guidance counselors and teachers don't stop or help other kids from being picked on by the rich kids. San Marcos "Baptist" Academy lol yeah right if by being BAPTIST they really don't teach those virtues. The administration is ran by HYPOCRITES. I've even seen teachers and even the principal coming out of the LIQUOR STORE. I recommend ST STEPHEN'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL in Austin, Texas if you are looking for a GOOD boarding school that cares about your kids. Bobby Dupree wake up and smell the roses you need to totally revamp your school with teachers, faculty, and staff that actually CARE and have ethics and VALUES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And MOST of the ROTC staff are FAT, out of shape, overweight A$$es that served in the NATIONAL GUARD and have never been an ACTIVE DUTY ARMY soldier that has deployed to IRAQ and AFGHANISTAN MULTIPLE times!!!!! The ROTC here is a joke...if you want your kids to have a real military experience and/or structure send them to MMA or TMI!!!!!!! Oh BTW for some odd reason all the rich white kids think they are "black" because they listen to rap music and daddy buys them a fancy car LMFAO!!!! read more

DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD HERE. This school is corrupt in many ways. Not only do they not care about the students' mental health, but they sweep suicide attempts under the rug. There has been four attempts since I've been here the last two years. Unless you really want your child to suffer and need years of psychological treatment, do not send them here. The staff here are absolutely horrible. They favor students that come from a rich background and don't do anything to stop the bullying that goes on. The bullying is another major issue that they refuse to deal with...causing the students affected to self harm or ultimately end their lives. The students and teachers both have problems with sexual assault and harassment but again, the staff sweeps it under the rug and it isn't talked about so that the school name doesn't get ruined. Teachers will verbally abuse students of the LGBTQ community in front of the class. Telling them that they are disgusting and abominations. The counselor doesn't do anything but sit there and scribble on a piece of paper but never follows up. The boarding system neglects students and lets disorders such as anorexia, Bulimia, depression, anxiety, etc. go unnoticed. They also don't make students shower or take care of their hygiene properly. This place is a prison and it is stuck in the past. It can't and won't move forward. The school also has reserved the right to expel a student for being gay or simply supporting a friend that is gay because it is a Christian school. Fuck this place. Don't send your child here... for the love of God. Don't do this to them. read more

Education isn't great, most of the staff are horrible and play favorites. Teachers were great when I attended, but since I graduated it seems like most of them don't work there anymore. Also, they've hired pedophiles before and ignore students complaints about it. A teacher was fired for offering a few international dorm students to stay at her house after schools got shut down for covid because they couldn't travel home. But when they found out the softball coach, who has received multiple complaints for his behavior towards the female students being weird and making inappropriate comments that are damn near cat calling, was following a TikTok account posting underage girls dancing provocatively he was given a two day PAID leave. The amount of sexual assaults that have happened on campus but gone unreported because they always blame and punish the victim is heartbreaking. Not a safe place for kids, especially girls. The school's president has a great personality, I really do like him as a person, but he should not be in charge of the school. He never has a clue of what is going on, and although I understand it's not necessarily his fault the staff isn't keeping him updated, he's aware they aren't. He should talk to them about it and tell them they need to tell him about the things going on. He gets paid way too much for how uninvolved he actually is in the school. read more

This is our second year with SMA, my first as a teacher (kindergarten), and second as a parent. I am a single mama of two beautiful girls, the oldest in 2nd grade, and the youngest in PreK. My experience as a parent has been pure joy and amazement at what this wonderful school has been able to provide to my girls. Last year, I was the homeroom parent to my daughter's first grade class and I stayed involved through the Cub Network. The most beautiful part of being an SMA family is that you are treated like family. Everyone comes to know one another and everyone looks out for one another as well. The community is strong and the classes are small. The teachers are incredibly hard working and they care so much. As a new teacher, I have been welcomed into the fold like I have been there all along. The curriculum takes a deeper look into not just who the children are now and how to get them through the year, but who they might become in the future. We are able to offer a personalized experience and give attention to things that matter beyond the core subjects. It is truly a blessing to be a part of it all from both sides. We hope to be here for many years to come! read more

What an amazing place! SMA has been a fantastic school for my son. He attended SMA from the 6th-12th grades. The staff and faculty treat the kids there like family. The small class sizes and the ability to be involved in so many different activities (sports, band, service organizations, etc) really make the school stand out. Additionally safety at the school is a top priority. It's sad to say in the world we live in now that the safety at our nation's schools has become issue #1 in many of our minds. SMA excels at keeping the kids safe and does an outstanding job educating and growing young men and women into future leaders. You won't regret sending your child here. read more

I would give a negative if I could. Teachers, resident assistants and coaches are found from Craigslist. Sexual assault is a problem from student to student and staff to student. In spite of a rape being caught in process, the female was shamed by staff and kicked out of school the next day. Her parents were told she was caught having sex which delayed examination. The rapist was dismissed and sent back to the country that he came from which prevented prosecution. Cheerleaders are told they aren't clapping their legs hard enough if they aren't causing bruises. read more

I agree with the previous posters. There are better options out there. I can say this because I was a student there, and I saw how the teachers, dorm staff, coaches are. If you love your kids don't send them here. The administration has done absolutely nothing about the bullying problem, and I graduated in 2015. There's too much favoritism and not enough inspiration. My dorm felt like a prison and I am not exaggerating. There are better boarding schools in Texas than SMA if you truly want to go that route with your kids. read more

I went there from 2007 to 2008 the place was full of whackos, the principal was a dick and gave out demerits like candy, the 5 level system was crazy and It was almost impossible to get ahead, you could not smoke or drink, the FOOD was DISGUSTING and barely NUTRITIOUS the JROTC program was a waste of time and students like me that came from another country had to participate. They make you sign a CONTRACT before you enroll, basically I was under a magnifying glass for 2 years. read more

I highly recommend San Marcos Academy!! I cannot say enough good things about this school, we've had such an amazing experience here. We absolutely love it, and the teachers are AMAZING and truly care about their students. Plus I love that the classroom ratio is small too. Best decision we ever made is sending our daughter there! read more

San Marcos Academy is a school where administrators are competent, compassionate, and approachable. Teachers are experienced and dedicated to developing the uniqueness of each student. Students grow in a community that values a sense of belonging for all. It is a place where hearts and heads are developed. read more

The school is great these people just don't understand how to put work in. One of the main things I have seen is that people complain about body shaming and stuff, that is a complete lie. I have never had the problem and it really annoys me that people would lie about the school. The nerve of people man read more

Currently have 2 kids there, can't say enough positive things about it! There's room for everyone to be themselves, the kids are so accepting and encouraging of one another. So happy we found it! read more