Located 45 miles northeast of San Antonio and 30 miles south of Austin, San Marcos Baptist Academy is a coeducational college-preparatory school with a boarding and day program for boys and girls in grades 7–12. Founded in 1907, San Marcos Baptist Academy is beginning a second century of fulfilling its mission: educating young men and women in a nurturing community based upon Christian values. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Accreditation Committee of the Texas Association of Baptist Schools and is recognized by the Texas Education Agency. The Academy seeks to provide for the intellectual, physical, and spiritual development of each student. The highly structured residential life program offers dormitory supervision in a 1:8 staff-to-student ratio. A school-wide Leadership, Education and Development (LEAD) program coaches students in key life skills and includes a Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps unit. Male high school students who are U.S. citizens are required to participate in JROTC during their first semester at the Academy. Additional participation is voluntary. While the primary academic emphasis is college preparation, the curriculum at SMBA is designed to meet the individual needs of each student. The Learning Skills Program, staffed by four full-time learning specialists, provides one-on-one assistance for students with documented mild to moderate learning differences. Highly structured study halls are also available for students at risk of failing. Opportunities exist for advanced students to take more than 50 hours of dual-credit college courses as well as AP courses. The Academy’s English as a Second Language program helps assimilate international students from a number of different countries. Rounding out the academic program are fine arts opportunities in visual arts, vocal and instrumental music, and theater. With a full complement of sports and student activities offered, the Academy is a wonderful place for young people to grow and mature as they prepare for college and life afterward.