San Marcos Baptist Academy
2801 Ranch Road Twelve
San Marcos, Texas 78666-9406
Telephone: 512-353-2400
Fax: 512-753-8031
E-mail: admissions@smba.org
World Wide Web: http://www.smba.org
Enrollment:
Boarding: 150 Boys, 52 Girls
Day:
2006-2007 Costs:
Tuition:
Boarding: $24,00
Day: $9,100
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San Marcos Baptist Academy
San Marcos, Texas 78666-9406
Overview
San Marcos Baptist Academy was established in 1907 through the joint efforts of citizens of San Marcos and Baptists of southwest Texas. In 1911, the school officially became a part of the Christian Education Program of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. In 1982, the school moved to a new and beautiful 200-acre campus in the unspoiled Hill Country just 3 miles west of San Marcos. It is designed to be comfortable and functional for living and learning.
The foundation of the Academy is grounded in faith in God and God's purpose for the institution. Arising from this is faith in young people—their ability to learn, their capacity for good, their possibility for progress, and their potential to influence. The realization of these possibilities in every student is the goal of the school.
Ninety-four years ago, the Academy's founding fathers said, "It is the aim of the Academy to prepare students for advanced work in the best colleges and universities and to prepare those who do not desire to attend colleges and universities to discharge well the duties of daily life." The Academy today continues to be committed to these aims.
The 15 members of the Board of Trustees are elected by the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
San Marcos Baptist Academy is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Texas Association of Baptist Schools and is approved by the Texas Education Agency. Its memberships include the National Association of Independent Schools, the Association of Boarding Schools, the Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States, the Association of Southern Baptist Colleges and Schools, the Texas Association of Non-Public Schools, and the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools. The school is designated a military institute in the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps and is approved by the U.S. Attorney General for international students.
Academic Life/Programs of Study
Although the primary emphasis of the academic program is to prepare students for college, the curriculum is broad enough to provide instruction for students who need academic reinforcement in the basic subjects. Students who qualify academically are placed in honors classes. The other Upper School students are scheduled in General Studies. Special instruction in English is available for a limited number of international students.
To graduate, a student must be in attendance at San Marcos Baptist Academy for at least one year immediately preceding graduation, must earn a minimum of 24 credits (which may include only 2 credits in physical education), and must complete the required courses and credits enumerated as follows: English, 4; mathematics, 3; social studies, 2½; science, 2; Bible, 1; health, ½; economics, ½; physical education, 1½; speech ½; business computer applications, 1; foreign language, 2 (highly recommended); and electives, 5½. Boys in grades 9 12 must take ½ credit in military instruction during one semester of each year of attendance. Electives in the curriculum include fine arts, keyboarding, computer literacy, reading improvement, study techniques, journalism, photography, consumer economics, French, Spanish, and driver's education.
To graduate from the Carroll Program, a challenging academic program for talented students, a student must complete 24 credits including 4 in English, 4 in mathematics, 4 in science, 2½ in social studies, 1 in Bible, ½ in health, 1½ in physical education, ½ in economics, 1 in fine arts, 1 in computer science, 3 in foreign language, and 1 in electives.
The academic year has two semesters, each divided into two grading periods. The grading system uses A to F designations with pluses and minuses. The lowest passing grade is 70. A progress report is sent to all parents between grading periods. Greater weight is applied to the grading scale for honors courses.
The student-teacher ratio is 11:1, and the average class size is 14. Tutorials are available for any student in need of academic assistance. A 2-hour study time is required Sunday through Thursday evenings.
Campus Life and Activities
The 150 boarding boys and 52 boarding girls come from eighty cities in Texas, seven states, and twelve countries. In addition, there are 80 day students from the San Marcos area.
Students are expected to live within the rules and regulations outlined in the Student Handbook. These rules and regulations are explained carefully during the orientation period at the beginning of the school year and during the year whenever the need is evident. Because positive reinforcement is the Academy's main disciplinary tool, students earn privileges by increasing levels of responsibility.
Athletics
The athletics program is broad enough to encourage participation by everyone. Sports at the Academy, however, are not regarded as ends in themselves. They provide the means for the development of physical strength and dexterity, encourage self-discipline and team effort for a common cause, and offer opportunities to set goals and systematically work to accomplish them. Through team sports, athletes learn to depend upon others as well as to share responsibility.
The Kokernot Gymnasium is equipped with a weight room, a classroom, a racquetball court, and two playing floors. An enclosed swimming pool, the Davidson Natatorium, has six lanes for competitive swimming as well as a diving board. Other facilities include the athletics fields, Neeley Field (for football), Ingram Stadium, the soccer field, Galloway Field (for baseball), four lighted tennis courts, and a stable and riding arena.
The Academy is a member of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS). Girls compete in basketball, cross-country, volleyball, tennis, track, soccer, swimming, powerlifting, softball, and golf. The sports for boys are baseball, basketball, cross-country, football, soccer, golf, tennis, track, swimming, powerlifting, and rifle marksmanship. Junior varsity teams are organized in most sports, and an intramural program provides opportunities for competition for students not involved in the formal athletics program.
Facilities and Services
Cavness-Reed Hall, one of two academic buildings, contains seventeen classrooms and the Thomas Library, which seats more than 150 students. Lattimore Hall, the other academic building, includes three science laboratories, the art room, and the music wing, which has a choir/band hall, piano practice rooms, an electronic piano laboratory, and a recital room. Six additional classrooms are located in Davidson Hall, the Middle School, which also has an indoor 10-point firing range and an alterations department for military uniforms.
Boarding facilities for Upper School students are in two buildings. Robinson Hall, Kokernot Hall, and Alexander Hall are located in one building and house the girls in double-occupancy rooms. Byrom Hall, Crook Hall, Talbot Hall, and Abney Hall, located in another building, house the Upper School boys; 2 boys share each room. Both the boys' and girls' dormitories are supervised by adult dormitory directors who live in apartments incorporated into the dormitory buildings.
Regular chapel services are held on Wednesday and Sunday in the Robinson Christian Center. The center, which seats 800, is also used for other religious activities, assemblies, and music and dramatic productions. A small chapel, the bride's room, the chaplain's office, and dressing rooms are also located within the facility. Carroll Hall, the administration building, houses the Thornton Theatre, dining room, snack bar, student activities room, infirmary, President's Office, Admissions Office, and Business Office.
Faculty, Advisors and College Placement
There are currently 28 full-time teachers, 13 part-time teachers, and 3 academic administrators on the faculty. Of the total number, 17 have a baccalaureate as their highest degree, 19 have master's degrees, and 5 hold doctorates. One is an ROTC instructor.
The Academy carefully screens and selects faculty members. Teachers are chosen for their proven ability to purposefully direct young people in positive growth and development. Their average age is 45, and they have an average of thirteen years of teaching experience.
The Director of Counseling and Guidance assists students with college applications and admissions. Students are encouraged to participate in all appropriate standardized testing opportunities including the PSAT/NMSQT, the SAT, and the ACT during their sophomore, junior, and senior years. The Director helps students with their college searches, essays, resumes, and letters of recommendation. Recent graduates are attending Brown, Wake Forest, and the United States Military Academy. Many graduates enter universities in Texas, including Baylor, Southwest Texas State, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and the University of Texas.
Extracurricular Opportunities
A wide variety of on- and off-campus extracurricular activities are offered. A student activities center, located in Carroll Hall, has a game room, television room, theater, and snack bar. These facilities are available for students each day after school and on weekends. Movies are shown on most weekends in the Student Activities Center. The gymnasium and natatorium are open for supervised recreation every weekend. Special events, such as Homecoming, Parent Day, Federal Inspection, and Graduation Weekend, are highlights of the school year. Assembly programs, band and choir concerts, dramatic productions, spiritual-emphasis programs, and other events are scheduled throughout the year, as are outings to Austin and San Antonio. Students also participate in various clubs each week.
Daily Life
Seven 45-minute academic classes are held each day, Monday through Friday, from 8:15 a.m. until 3:25 p.m. Athletics are scheduled after school and generally last until 5:30. Cadets begin the day with reveille at 6:15, followed by breakfast at 7:10. Girls are expected to rise by 6:30 and have breakfast at 7:30. Students may eat the evening meal beginning at 5:30. All students have a regular study time in their rooms Sunday through Thursday. On school nights, lights-out is at 10:30; extended study time is approved by the dormitory parent when necessary.
Weekend Life
On Saturday and Sunday, cadets and coeds enjoy a relaxed schedule, with various student activities and athletics available. The school calendar normally includes one weekend per month designated as a "long-leave weekend." On this weekend, students are dismissed from classes at 10:15 a.m. on Friday and are expected to check back in by 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. Students may, with parental permission, check out on other weekends but are encouraged to remain at school and participate in the various activities on and off campus. On some Saturday mornings during the first two months of the school year, girls participate in a special program called COEDS, while the boys are involved in military drill. The only exceptions to this requirement are on the long-leave weekends. Many students shop and attend movies in town. Often, athletics events, recreational activities, movies on campus, and outings to Austin and San Antonio are scheduled on weekends.
Admissions, Cost and Financial Aid
The cost for boarding students in 2002 03, including tuition, room, and board, is $19,438. The cost does not include books, personal spending money, or the required uniforms. A payment plan may be arranged. Day student tuition, which includes the noon meal five days per week, is $6679 for grades 9 12 and $6237 for grades 6 8. Books and uniforms are not included in these figures. A room reservation fee of $500 is required after acceptance by the Admissions Committee. A deposit of $100 is required for day students. The room reservation fee is a part of the total tuition.
Some financial assistance is available. Eligibility is based primarily on need as determined by the criteria established by the School and Student Service for Financial Aid.
To be accepted at San Marcos Baptist Academy, the applicant must have at least average ability, receive two recommendations from his or her previous school, be emotionally stable, and have a genuine interest in attending the Academy. Scores on the SSAT, ISEE, and other ability and achievement tests serve as indicators of the applicant's potential and are given serious attention in the admissions process. Previous grades, although important, are not always accurate in predicting academic success; the transcript of grades is therefore considered along with the test scores, recommendation, and personal interview by the Admissions Committee. Students are accepted without regard to faith, race, and ethnic or national origin.
Application Timetable
Initial inquiries are encouraged and welcomed at any time. Because a personal interview is required (except for students who reside outside the United States or in the case of other extenuating circumstances), applicants are encouraged to contact the Admissions Office for an appointment. It is suggested that appointments be scheduled Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. A nonrefundable $75 application fee is required with the completed application. Because of limited boarding space, it is suggested that interviews be completed during the second semester (January May). Depending on dormitory space, students are accepted until the first day of classes.
Admissions Correspondence
Director of Admissions
San Marcos Baptist Academy
2801 Ranch Road Twelve
San Marcos, Texas 78666-9406
Telephone: 512-353-2400
Fax: 512-753-8031
E-mail: admissions@smba.org
http://www.smba.org
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