Best Private Schools in SA

[sshurgot]

I occasionally tutor a public school student in AP Calculus; she attends one of the top public schools in San Antonio. What her class does to master the material and prepare for that rigorous exam doesn't come close to what students do at SMH (and I'm sure Keystone, probably other private schools). Her work is far too easy compared to AP exam questions. Kids who are in AP calc are very bright and disciplined to begin with, but they must get the right preparation. The reason I work with this particular student is to provide course material and practice she's not getting in school. It's been an interesting experience for me, having taught calculus at SMH, to see how different it is in public schools.

[SanFranciscoTX]

Now, I am looking at SMH vs Keystone.

Assuming the kids are grade skipping academic high achievers who are also into performing arts, which school would you recommend?

Keystone for its academic rigorousness, but would the kid be doing better performing arts wise in SMH? Facilities wise, SMH is impressive!

Kids are middle school, raising to upper school soon, so I will be concerned about AP choices and college prep/counselling.

Thanks all

[AmyStevens]

I think SMH is second to no one academically, but it also offers lots more classes, arts, etc., too. In the sense that SMH offers everything else at a very high level, you could say that it (relatively) emphasizes academics less, I suppose, but that statement is horribly misleading. The parents of students at SMH are a careful bunch who had every option available to their children, and they're not paying thousands more for a school that's second best to anyone academically, regardless of it's none-core offerings.

[MenardMQ]

Originally Posted by AmyStevens

The parents of students at SMH are a careful bunch who had every option available to their children, and they're not paying thousands more for a school that's second best to anyone academically, regardless of it's none-core offerings.

Neither are the parents of students at TMI, Keystone, etc.

It's a little disingenuous to think that because a parent is "paying more" for a school that their choice of school for their children is the best school for anyone in San Antonio.

The best private school in San Antonio is determined by individual needs of the student, not the ability of the parent to pay tuition. Parents of children at Keystone, TMI, St George, San Antonio Academy, St Lukes, SACS, etc etc are all a careful bunch as well.

[ggeorgie]

My sister went to SMH. I do believe the core values at SMH are the same as always, I also believe the students there have become more resistant to those values. I do not see that to be true with students at S.A.A. nor Keystone.
I'm a product of those schools and my children are in a public school and I must say, they are getting a superior education and I couldn't be happier where they are now in their life and I have no thoughts to send them to private schools.

[SA Greed]

I hate to piggy back on this but what kind of income qualifies for tuition assistance for a school like Keystone? We make about 97k however swinging 1200 to 1500 a month is pretty high. We can cover half if we can qualify but I don't know if we make too much. Anyone have experience on this?

[MenardMQ]

I would suggest contacting the admissions department and speaking with them. The first step will be to get your child going through the admissions process and ultimately admitted. The results of that process will determine how financial aid will be made available. My experience is that it is a big depends for each individual family - lots of variables involved.

[anaiselara]

My son goes to St marks preschool. Of course only preschool but we've been happy so far and affordable. My son is 2. He goes twice a week for about 5 hours a day