Saint Michael’s Academy

Saint Michael’s is a small private school that has done an amazing job of creating a top-​tier academic education tailored specifically to my child.
The school covers pre-​kindergarten through 12^th grade, and there is an attached preschool. The focus is on academics, and that focus is laid out in the Mission Statement: «…We are committed to academic excellence and the growth of each child in learning, character, and faith.» The teachers really make an effort to teach the children and to help the children learn on their own. We love the teachers, and our child is incredibly happy with them and the school. He especially enjoys teaching us French and Spanish, as well as helping us review math concepts.
One of the best parts about the school is that, due to the small size, policies can be changed based on parent suggestions. This benefit affects small things like changes to the uniform, and very significant things like whether a child would better learn with an individual lesson plan or by attending a different grade for a specific subject. Another benefit of being a private school is that a significant portion of the current kindergarten class is just barely too young to enter kindergarten in public schools, but is academically and socially ready for kindergarten work.
They have a beautiful new multi-​use building (including gym). The multi-​use building is the site of drop-​off and pick-​up, so kids that get picked up after 5pm are often playing in the gym during that time. The school also has daily chapel, though children of all faiths are welcome.
Full tuition is less than, or in-​line with, many of the other private schools in the area, with discounts for prepayment and/​or multiple kids from the same family. Significant amounts of financial aid are also available.
Between 1995 and 2010, the Head of School position changed eight times, causing a drop in enrollment that has finally reversed with consistency. This drop in enrollment has had negative effects on the school’s cash-​flow. The current semester (Fall 2011) has seen a flood of negative publicity with the inaccurate message that the school is currently closing. Actually, fundraisers have already raised a significant chunk of the necessary funds for this academic year, and plans are being put in place to restructure the school’s finances to prevent this issue from recurring.
Saint Michael’s is a great school, and we strongly recommend it for parents who are focused on academics and families who could benefit from a small school environment.
Disclaimer: I have met several times with members of the school Board, have volunteered my time assisting with a committee looking at the school’s finances, and have donated time and money to the school. I am not an employee of the school, nor have I received any sort of compensation from the school.

The best pre-​K through 12 education in Bryan/​College Station!