Saint Mary's Hall

Posted: July 14, 2024

Do not send your child to this summer camp. The children in attendance are beyond rude and entitled. The teachers will ignore your child and exclude while other students bully. Security is null. I walked onto campus and observed this bad behavior while sitting in the dining hall when dropping lunch off for my child. Dining hall doors were open. No police or advisor asked what I was doing there. BAD Security. A color coded easily copied piece of paper placed on the dashboard is not adequate security.
My child repeatedly told me how children were rude and mean. I thought this was surely a mistake untill I experienced the behavior in person.

Adult to child ratio is low.
Majority of Summer staff advisors are children themselves.

Posted: July 14, 2024

Posted: January 12, 2024

Posted: January 12, 2024

Posted: January 12, 2024

Posted: January 12, 2024

Posted: January 12, 2024

Posted: January 12, 2024

Our two children have been at SMH for 6 years and are now both in upper school. We have no doubt that they are receiving the best education in South Texas! We have been particularly impressed by the teachers, the scheduling, the support mechanisms for student well-being, and the college counseling process. The campus is so beautiful and peaceful, and security is top-notch. And, most importantly, our kids are happy. It's an amazing place, and we couldn't recommend it more highly.

Posted: January 12, 2024

Posted: January 12, 2024

Posted: January 10, 2024

Students at Saint Mary's Hall are encouraged to chase their dreams and given the tools to help them do so. The faculty are truly invested in student success; they are passionate about their content areas and their students, therefore, they create an environment in which learning is embraced by students. In addition to the excellent academic program, SMH dedicates time, effort, and resources to character development and creating a community in which every member feels they belong.

Posted: January 7, 2024

As an alum, I can confidently say that Saint Mary's Hall has prepared me for college. The teachers are very supportive and engaging with the students. The environment created by them and the great campus spaces makes for the optimal learning experience for any student. SMH also offers numerous courses (including many AP courses that incoming college freshmen can use to place out of intro courses) and electives from a wide variety of fields, allowing all students to pursue their passions and even appear more competitive in college applications. Even as a STEM major, I especially feel that the writing program at SMH does an excellent job of preparing students for different forms of writing in college. While the academics are rigorous and challenging, SMH still allows students to pursue their passions outside of academics, whether that be in athletics, fine arts, and/or club organizations. Finally, SMH creates a collaborative and inclusive environment for faculty, teachers, classmates, and friends to grow as a community.

Posted: January 7, 2024

Posted: January 7, 2024

Posted: January 7, 2024

Posted: January 7, 2024

Posted: January 7, 2024

Posted: January 7, 2024

Posted: January 7, 2024

Posted: January 4, 2024

We are the parents of three Saint Mary's Hall alumni. Sending our children to Saint Mary's Hall was the best decision we could have made. Our children, now all in their early and mid-twenties, are working in fields related to the passions they discovered while at SMH. While in college, they frequently shared that they were way ahead of their peers in terms of preparedness. This has translated into confident and competent young adults. We are grateful to the teachers and administrators at SMH for all they have done to support our children during their elementary, middle, and high school years. Our adult children are who they are today because of the people that make up this great school!

Posted: January 4, 2024

Posted: January 4, 2024

Posted: January 4, 2024

Posted: January 4, 2024

Posted: January 4, 2024

Posted: January 4, 2024

Posted: January 4, 2024

Posted: February 5, 2021

Posted: February 5, 2021

Posted: February 5, 2021

Posted: February 5, 2021

Posted: February 5, 2021

Posted: February 5, 2021

Posted: February 5, 2021

Posted: February 5, 2021

We are so happy that we choose to send our son to SMH and could not be happier with the education and overall experience he is having. His teachers have been incredibly supportive while simultaneously engaging and challenging him. His classmates have been welcoming, kind and there have been so many creative ways used to safely provide a great education during the pandemic, both virtually and in the classroom. Despite the challenges of coronavirus, our son has been happy and has grown as a student and person.

Posted: September 15, 2019

Too much, and they keep us in sports so we can't even begin until later in the evening.

Posted: September 15, 2019

Some are really great, and some are completely worthless.

Posted: September 15, 2019

With no consistent standards, so students take advantage and do what ever they want and get away with it.

Posted: September 15, 2019

None of us respect them because they have multiple standards depending on which of us is involved. No standards are actually consistently enforced and they just try to be liked.

Posted: September 15, 2019

There are tons of students who get extra time simply because they paid a doctor to say they need it, like a forth of the student body. The rest of just have to try to finish while too many students get to take their time on tests.

Posted: September 15, 2019

Poor. I do not like it there.

Posted: May 22, 2019

Lower School Review
My experience is with the Lower School Only. My son attended SMH through 3d grade. We were not thrilled in the second grade but decided to give it another chance in the 3d grade. I am transferring him to a different private school next year.
In summary, if you want your kid to experience a great campus and food - this is a great school. Do not have your hopes high for academics or school culture. I would not recommend SMH for the lower school. Note: feedback is for Lower School Only
Academics – below average. Lower School does not prepare the kids for the increased workload in middle and high schools. On average my son spent 10 min/day for his homework. I had to teach him mathematics (buy additional textbooks based on the 3d grade curriculum, explain concepts, etc) to make sure he will not fall behind in future years. Given the tuition cost I should not be doing this. Lower school does not have a program to give more challenging curriculum to the kids who are ahead. I was explained that it starts from the middle school. Based on his ERB testing – I will be catching up on his writing.
All in all, I had to supplement a lot to close the gap between school and what I think is proper 2d and 3d grade knowledge. I did not try to teach him “statistics” and “physics” in 3d grade – was just following the curriculum. I also know I was not the only parent doing this. Some other parents who focused on academics did the same.
Sports and extra activities – I think it’s up to par. He did not participate in after school, but it was nice that there is a dance option to substitute PE twice a week.
Lower School Culture – average. I’d say their culture is no different than any other school, including public. I heard of some bullying from other parents. Was not bad for my son though. Experienced only once during our SMH years and had to address this with the classroom teacher.
Facilities – great. Great campus, cafeteria and food.
Tuition –increases every year. It increased 10% from 3d to 4th and the explanation we were given was very generic and high level. I think that the price is not justified given a very mediocre academics and school culture.

Posted: May 22, 2019

Posted: May 22, 2019

Posted: May 22, 2019

Posted: May 22, 2019

They are reactive, not proactive. Also was not impressed with communication.

Posted: May 22, 2019

Posted: May 22, 2019

Posted: November 12, 2018

SMH pushes students to do work. If you want to put your kids in a college prep school, this is the one for them. Don't get me wrong, my Freshman year in college was a breeze, and that is due to the preparation SMH set up for me. But if you don't think your kids can handle that stress, don't put them in that situation.

Posted: November 12, 2018

Teachers are very attentive and for the most part, want your children to succeed. The goal for this school is 100% acceptance rate into college. Teachers have to work at this as well.

Posted: November 12, 2018

There are plenty of opportunities for your kids to become leaders in any club or student government.

Posted: November 12, 2018

I had a learning disability since elementary school, and when I started in fifth grade at SMH my teacher automatically saw something was wrong and tried to help. My other school did not. Since fifth grade, I was put in classes that would help me learn ways to be a better reader and writer and all my teachers understood my reading disability and helped me in the appropriate way.

Posted: November 12, 2018

I never really thought there was much bullying going on. There were just kids who were rude and for the most part, they kept to themselves, because there were definitely cliques throughout the class, but no one was outright bullied, or at least most of us didn't really know about it.

Posted: November 12, 2018

SMH truly is a great college preparatory school. However, you can't deny that it is odd they do not teach coding like other schools have started doing. Coding is such an integral part of the workforce now, that it truly needs to be taught starting at a young age. Yet, there are other great opportunities for your kids to become well-rounded students that WILL get into college at SMH. I would recommend the school to people, but more importantly, I would want them to think about the costs and benefits of it. This school is the same amount as a college education. I am not trying to tell people not to put that much faith in your kids that they will succeed here, but if you don't think your child is ready to complete HOURS of homework, possibly every night, don't put them through that. There are other schools that are far less expensive and have the extra AP/IB classes (IM are not offered at SMH) that can help them excel and be at the top pf their class.

Posted: February 8, 2018

Posted: February 8, 2018

Posted: February 8, 2018

Posted: February 8, 2018

Posted: February 8, 2018

Posted: February 8, 2018

Posted: February 8, 2018

Saint Mary's Hall is an excellent school that prepares students to attend college. They provide students with all the resources they need and assist them throughout the process. The teachers are passionate in their filed, well rounded, educated, friendly, understanding and are readily available to the students. The school also has an amazing library full of resources the student may need from computers, books, helpful librarians and printers. The cafeteria food is top notch! The school is diverse, they have many sports to choose from and a lot of clubs.

Posted: September 13, 2017

Posted: September 13, 2017

Posted: September 13, 2017

I spent from ages 3 to my eigth grade year (age 14) at the school. I left because the school administation took no action against the bullying except telling me to wait for it to get better. Do not send your kids here. Send them anywhere else except Alamo Hights.

Posted: September 13, 2017

Posted: September 13, 2017

Posted: September 13, 2017

Posted: September 13, 2017

Posted: October 18, 2016

St. Mary's Hall provides an excellent foundation but it does come at a cost to the child and family. The homework load for the student is not healthy!! Middle school 2 plus hours and high school 3-4 hours each night. If you do take a tour, especially in the middle and upper schools most kids look exhausted. They do not get to just be kids and their workload is typically more than most adults do during a work week. The school prides itself on its rigor which at the high school level hurts the overall GPA needed for college admission. Very few students get into an ivy league schools. Lower school for the foundation is worth it but I would not put my child through the stress for the high school.

Posted: October 18, 2016

Posted: October 18, 2016

Posted: October 18, 2016

Posted: October 18, 2016

Posted: October 18, 2016

Posted: October 18, 2016

Posted: June 6, 2016

If you're only considering academics, the staff is great. However, there is no push to develop a kind or compassionate student.

Posted: June 6, 2016

Posted: June 6, 2016

Posted: June 6, 2016

If your family is not one of the big donors, your child gets the short end of the stick. Favoritism runs rampant and bullying goes unchecked.

Posted: October 24, 2015

Posted: October 24, 2015

If you prefer dance classes over computer science classes, this might be the school for you. Saint Mary's Hall prizes fine arts, and sports, over programming or robotics classes for students.

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate fine arts and sports. Our children have enjoyed Saint Mary's Hall dance classes, piano lessons, and drama for the last 10 years. The problem is, I can enroll them in summer sports, drama and dance classes, but not programming classes.

As my children enter high school at SMH, I realize that Saint Mary's Hall as no interest in teaching them modern languages such as Java, Python (coding in general) or robotics. Schools on the East and West coast teach programming or robotics as an elective or foreign language choice. I wish that it was offered here.

The future will hold great opportunity to those who can program, build and create in the robotics arena. I am stunned that SMH has little interest in improving this area of their curriculum. When you pay the tuition of $42k per year for 2 kids, I expect Saint Mary's Hall to be preparing my children for careers in the 21st Century.

Posted: September 12, 2015

Posted: September 12, 2015

Posted: February 19, 2015

SMH is an amazing school that's found a way to strike that difficult balance between pushing kids hard to get a top-notch education and being a warm, welcoming place to go to school. Most schools that are this good are a little aloof, but SMH is as nurturing as it can be. We love it.

Posted: August 8, 2014

I am a student at Saint Mary's Hall and it is by far one of the best schools in Texas. I have been to several other schools, and none quite compare to Saint Mary's Hall. They prepare you extremely well for college with the way teachers run classes, the kind of work given out, and the college counseling. The teachers take time to explain things to you, and they are always available to help you understand your assignments. There is a completely fair amount of homework, only about 2 hours a night, which can be expected from most high schools; however, if you use your time wisely during school (free periods, before sports practice, etc.) you can get it done more quickly. It's a great school and I highly recommend it.

Posted: October 20, 2013

best school in san antonio if not texas, By far best for college prep. and getting you into ivys

Posted: January 25, 2013

I have 2 children at SMH and we have been there several years. First, let me start with the Middle School administration head....not impressed at all. She has no connection with the kids and disciplines very unfairly and it is obvious to all. Most of the MS teachers are passionate and awesome teachers although they pile on an outrageous amount of homework for 6-8 graders. On the Upper School...very rigorous curriculum and lots of homework every night and on weekends. Most teachers are great and always accessible to the students. Main feedback to give..not impressed with middle school ..would rather have just sent my kids starting at 9th grade. Also, not much of a family feel...seems like they are only concerned with how smart the kids are and how many they can get in to the top tier schools. Bottom line...good school but is an academic machine and you have to fit into that type of student or your child and your family will be very stressed out!

Posted: January 2, 2012

Our daughter started at SMH her freshman year. She has made great friends and her classes are challenging. The school has an eighth period where all the teachers are available. The educators are supportive, encouraging, and positive. The Head of School knows all the Upper School students names. She loves getting up in the morning and going to school. Fine Arts is a big deal at SMH.

Posted: July 31, 2011

The BEST school in SA, bar none! I just graduated, and in my 4 years (9-12) at SMH, I found the teachers wonderful (willing to work after school with students who care enough to go to them), the administration fine (if trying to please too many groups at once), and my fellow students outstanding. It's a trend among students to try to get high grades with little work, but teachers control this better here than anywhere else. Yes, 75% of the high schoolers have iPhones, and some kids can be snobby, but any kid can fit in as long as s/he is willing to learn a few social graces. I come from the lowest 2% of SMH incomes, but I have found a group of friends I've come to love (even though they live in the Dominion and drive audis and corvettes). I've learned a lot academically (going to Harvard in the fall) but I've also learned to appreciate what I do have in the face of my friends' financial superiority. Overall, SMH has given me more than I could ever have asked for in a high school experience. Note: Racial diversity is low. Ideological diversity is good. Whoever said AHHS is on par with SMH is flat-out lying. Keystone comes close, not TMI, not SACS, not any catholic school. Go Barons!

Posted: February 27, 2011

Until last year (2009-2010), the modern language department was great, this year the level leaves much to be desired. Their standards have been lowered, mainly due to some changes at upper level. It's starting to go downhill, hopefully they wake up and make the necessary changes to stop the problem. Also be aware that the middle school administration trustworthiness might not be as expected.