The best military schools in Texas provide exceptional learning opportunities combined with an introduction to military training.
There are several benefits to attending a military prep school, as students are better prepared for success regardless if they elect to join the U.S. Armed Forces after graduation.
What are the top military schools in Texas?
Learn more about the best military schools in The Lone Star State based on academics, prestige, enrollment, student/teacher ratio, and history.
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#1 – TMI Episcopal
- Location: 20955 W Tejas Trail, San Antonio, TX 78257
- Founded: 1893
- Grades: 6-12
- # of Students: 540
- Student / Teacher Ratio: 11:1
- Official Website: https://www.tmi-sa.org/
Texas Military Institute is among the best military schools in Texas.
The private school is located in San Antonio, Texas, and is often referred to by the abbreviation TMI (or TMI Episcopal).
Texas Military Institute offers full-time boarding and a day program for students in grades 6-12.
Classroom sizes remain small and students get more personal interaction with faculty compared to public education.
TMI Episcopal was founded in 1893 and is the oldest Episcopal college preparatory school in the American Southwest.
The military boarding school originally only accepted male students but has since expanded to include female cadets.
The “West Point on the Rio Grande” has a terrific academic reputation and has been considered one of the finest prep schools in the nation for decades.
There are multiple U.S. Presidents that have spent time at TMI, including John F. Kennedy who visited the day before he was assassinated.
The Corps of Cadets (JROTC) is optional for male and female cadets at Texas Military Institute.
The JROTC program is affiliated with the U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.
Texas Military Institute is unique in that the institution may provide direct placement to the U.S. federal service academies without a congressional recommendation.
Average Tuition / Boarding
Texas Military Institute has an impressive 100% placement rate in terms of students finding a college after graduation.
According to the official TMI webpage on tuition and fees, tuition is more affordable at TMI Episcopal for day school middle school students ($26,312 per year) compared to high school students ($29,477 per year).
Moreover, TMI has different tuition rates for Boarding and International students.
For example, High School students that board 5 days per week pay $53,330 per year.
Alternatively, high school students that board 7 days per week and international students, pay $58,490.
The cost of tuition includes funds that cover boarding expenses such as housing and meals.
The current location for the TMI campus is rich in modern architecture as most of the buildings are constructed almost entirely in limestone.
TMI Episcopal has operated on 3 different campuses, including the most recent one northwest of San Antonio.
The campus features several famous traditions like Chapel Talks, Daunt Lectures, Founder’s Day, and the Military Ball.
Texas Military Institute has an extensive alumni network including many notable names.
Students generally are from Texas and nearby states though TMI also accepts international students from Australia, China, Hong Kong, Colombia, Russia, and South Korea.
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#2 – San Marcos Academy
- Location: 2801 Ranch Rd 12, San Marcos, TX 78666
- Founded: 1907
- Grades: K-12
- # of Students: 336
- Student / Teacher Ratio: 9:1
- Official Website: https://www.smabears.org/
San Marcos Academy (SMA) is a coed elementary and college prep school that is sandwiched nearly halfway between Austin and San Antonio.
The private, Christian military school was previously known as the San Marcos Baptist Academy.
The institution is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas and students earn accreditation through the Southern Associate of Colleges and Schools.
San Marcos Academy has a long tradition as the military school dates back to 1907.
It is one of the oldest military schools in Texas along with TMI Episcopal.
The academy accepts students that commute to campus for grades K-12.
Meanwhile, students between the grades of 6-12 have the option of living and eating on campus.
The minority of cadets board on campus (approximately 21%) with a total enrollment of a little over 300 students.
San Marcos Academy is governed by a 15-member board of trustees selected by the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
Students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of campus events and activities, as well as the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.
Cadets are not required to serve in the Army JROTC program, though many decide to take advantage of this phenomenal opportunity.
Average Tuition / Boarding
San Marcos Academy (SMA) is one of the oldest boarding schools in the state.
Additionally, San Marcos Academy is regularly considered one of the top military prep schools in Texas.
Unfortunately, the prestige of attending SMA does come with expensive tuition. Day students in elementary grades pay approximately $8,000 to $9,000 a year for tuition.
Older day students pay approximately $11,000 for middle school and $12,000 for high school tuition per year.
Students in grades 6 to 12 boarding 5 days per week pay $37,400 per year and those boarding a full 7 days a week pay $47,600. Internation boarding students pay approximately $52,800 per year.
Younger students (K-6) are not allowed to live on campus and many others choose to commute to save money.
Regardless, the Christian military school has a terrific success rate at helping students progress to the college of their dreams.
Cadets that live on campus reside in dormitories and are required to attend religious services throughout the week.
However, you do not need to consider yourself a Christian, as SMA accepts students from a variety of religious beliefs.
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#3 – Marine Military Academy
- Location: 320 Iwo Jima Blvd, Harlingen, TX 78550
- Founded: 1965
- Grades: 7-12
- # of Students: 234
- Student / Teacher Ratio: 9:1
- Official Website: https://www.mma-tx.org/
The Marine Military Academy is a private school in Harlingen, Texas.
It is regularly considered one of the premier military schools in Texas.
The college prep academy features a challenging curriculum for boys between grades 7-12.
Additionally, students have the option of pursuing a year of post-graduate study after high school before joining the military or advancing to a four-year institution.
The Marine Military Academy does not have quite as long of a tradition as some of the other top military schools in Texas but has remained in operation for more than a half-century.
As a result, you can expect to receive an outstanding education while also receiving an introduction to the United States Marine Corps (USMC).
While Marine Military Academy is not officially associated with the USMC, it does follow many of the same ideals and traditions.
Furthermore, the Marine Military Academy JROTC program is affiliated with the U.S. Marine Corps.
The academy is one of the first in the nation to establish a Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (MCJROTC).
All students at the school are members of MCJROTC as participation is not voluntary.
Marine Military Academy offers general high school classes along with honors courses.
Additionally, students may consider Advanced Placement or Dual Enrollment courses.
Most classes at the Marine Military Academy last a year and are extremely challenging.
Cadets are also required to participate in at least one extracurricular activity.
Related Article – How to Get Into the Naval Academy: 5 Challenging Steps
Average Tuition / Boarding
The Marine Military Academy exists at the former Harlingen Army Airfield.
The airfield was established in 1941 during World War II and has historical value even if most of the original buildings have been replaced.
It is one of the most expensive military schools in Texas to attend based on tuition.
Reports indicate that the average tuition for students attending the Marine Military Academy is $49,000.
Furthermore, the institution only accepts male applicants.
Students that are fortunate enough to attend Marine Military Academy are part of a small enrollment of less than 250 cadets.
Marine Military Academy has an incredible reputation for sending graduates to college (100% acceptance rate).
Students live on campus like most military boarding schools and are expected to participate in a variety of events.
Those that struggle with underperforming grades have additional requirements and expectations.
Moreover, a summer camp for boys between the ages of 11-18 offers new challenges for students.
See also:
41 Questions To Ask A Military Recruiter
Born and raised in Woodbridge, NJ, he graduated from the New Jersey Institute Of Technology with an MBA in eCommerce.His hobbies include beach volleyball, target shooting, and lifting.
Rob is also a Commercially rated pilot and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), with over 1,500 hours of flight time.
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