Fast Facts
- TMI is a co-educational college-preparatory school for students in grades 6-12.
- Founded in 1893. TMI is the oldest Episcopal college-preparatory school in the Southwest, with daily chapel and monthly Eucharists.
- TMI offers a residential-life (boarding) program for students in grades 9-12.
- Class size is small, with an average of 12-15 students. Teacher-student ratio is 1:7.
- More than 70 percent of TMI teachers hold master’s or doctoral degrees.
- About 45 percent of TMI students are members of TMI’s award-winning Corps of Cadets (JROTC).
- Fine Arts (visual and performance) programs, honors and AP classes challenge motivated students.
- A full range of competitive sports is offered for girls and boys.
- TMI’s 83-acre campus on the edge of the Texas Hill Country includes two new residence halls, an athletic complex and a theater.
- A new chapel is under construction, scheduled for May 2008 completion. Work on another new residence hall also is underway.
Educational Philosophy
TMI offers a traditional, classical education for college-bound students. Our school is an academic and spiritual community, promoting the development of the well-rounded student. In the safety of a close-knit community, young people are encouraged to become scholars, leaders, athletes and artists. Students grow as moral and spiritual beings as they ready themselves for competitive colleges and universities and for the responsibilities of assuming leadership in the world beyond.
Mission Statement
The mission of TMI is to provide an excellent educational community with values based on the teachings of Jesus Christ, challenging motivated students to develop their full potential in service and leadership.
Spiritual Life
Daily chapel is led by TMI’s chaplain, an Episcopal priest in the Diocese of West Texas. Contemporary worship with a worship leader and student musicians, chapel talks given by seniors and a monthly Eucharist are among the highlights of this midday observance of faith. Once a month, the whole TMI community is invited to a Sunday-morning Family Eucharist.
Honor Code
"Because I believe that integrity is essential, I promise not to lie, cheat, or steal."
Motto
Nihil supra mores. (Nothing above honor.)
Academics
TMI’s Upper School curriculum blends a classic, fundamental college-preparatory education with accelerated courses and electives that allow students to pursue their academic passions. Honors and college-level Advanced Placement (AP) in a variety of subjects allow students to acquire more in-depth knowledge at an accelerated pace. The student-teacher ratio is 8:1, and the average class size is 10-15. Each student is assigned a faculty adviser who monitors academic progress, assists with course and activity choices and communicates regularly with parents.
Graduation requirements include: English, Mathematics, Science, History, Foreign Language, Religion, Fine Arts and Physical Education. Electives include Astronomy, Economics and Journalism.
TMI’s Helen and Everett Jones Library houses a collection of more than 18,000 volumes as well as periodicals that support the curriculum and encourage leisure reading. A computer lab and other library computers all are Internet-connected and also access periodical and reference databases.
To view a current course catalog, visit:
http://www.tmiforboardingexcellence.com/academics-coursecatalogs.html
Athletics
TMI recognizes that competitive sports are crucial to the overall development of young men and women. Our athletic program focuses on developing the student athlete, who learns to balance sports with academic and other commitments.
We offer a full range of competitive athletic offerings for girls and boys. Sports include: Baseball, Basketball, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Strength and Conditioning. TMI is a member of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools, a statewide conference.
For details about individual sports programs, visit:
http://www.tmiforboardingexcellence.com/athletics-sports.html
Fine Arts
Students at all levels of interest and talent may pursue Drama, Music and Visual Arts at TMI, where each student is required to take one year of Fine Arts toward graduation.
For details about fine arts programs, visit:
http://www.tmiforboardingexcellence.com/academics-finearts.html
Community Service
In keeping with our school’s tradition of servant-leadership, TMI provides many opportunities for community outreach. Students may perform community service on class retreats, within their advisories (small groups of classmates that meet regularly for fellowship and projects), as members of National Honor Society and as members of TMI’s chapter of Interact, a Rotary-sponsored youth community-service program. Student-led projects, including hands-on help as well as fund raisers, have benefited local and international aid organizations, as well as military units serving in the Middle East. A select group of Upper School students serve as mentors in partnership with a nearby elementary school.
Technology
TMI has two computer labs. As of the 2007-2008 school year, new computers with printers were installed in all student rooms in residence halls. All students have TMI e-mail addresses. The school uses the NetClassroom system for recording and viewing grades and assignments, which are accessible at all times to both students and parents. Several research databases are available from campus desktops.
Residential Life (Boarding Program)
Available to students in grades 9-12, TMI’s residential life program is a small, close-knit community-within-a-community. “Dorm parents” are faculty and staff who live in residence halls and on-campus houses; they eat meals with residential-life students, supervise evening study time and lead weekend activities, including outings to cultural and outdoor attractions, dining out and shopping.
Two new residence halls opened during the 2005-2006 school year, while existing dormitories were refurbished. Common rooms and game rooms feature big-screen TVs; X Box game systems, pool tables, Foosball and air hockey. A prefect program provides opportunities for seniors to model leadership as mentors to younger students. Residential-life students are a diverse community of students from throughout the United States; they are encouraged to become involved in campus life and to develop as responsible young adults within a structured environment.
For information about Residential Life, please visit:
http://www.tmiforboardingexcellence.com/residentiallife.html
Corps of Cadets (JROTC)
For more than a decade, TMI’s optional JROTC program has been recognized by the Army as an Honor Unit with Distinction.
Known as the “Keepers of Tradition,” the Corps of Cadets is a leadership laboratory, in which cadets are led by cadet officers and sergeants. TMI’s military program emphasizes leadership and values such as integrity, dependability, self-discipline, commitment, respect and loyalty.
Cadets are featured in Pass-in-Reviews, special formations, military ceremonies and in off-campus parades. Special teams include the Bagpipe and Drum Band, Drill Team, Rifle Team, Color Guard, Orienteering Team, Cannon Crew and Saber Guard.
TMI cadets experience unparalleled success with their acceptance into highly competitive service academies. In addition, our cadets are routinely offered full and partial ROTC scholarships to college.
For Information about the Corps of Cadets program, please visit:
http://www.tmiforboardingexcellence.com/cadets.html
Accreditations/Memberships
Independent School Association of the Southwest; National Association of Episcopal Schools, Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools, Association of Military Schools and Colleges of the U.S., National Association for College Admission Counseling, National Association of Secondary School Principals and National Association of Student Councils and affiliation with the College Board and the Educational Records Bureau; chapters of the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) and National Honor Society (NHS).
Nondiscriminatory Statement
TMI – The Episcopal School of Texas does not discriminate in its selection of students or in its administration of educational policies, financial aid, merit scholarships and other school-administered programs on the basis of race, gender, physical ability, religion or ethnic origin.
Contact TMI
Visit http://www.tmiforboardingexcellence.com/ for an overview of TMI – The Episcopal School of Texas. To request a viewbook or admissions materials, please send a message to admissions@tmi-sa.org. For other questions or to arrange a campus visit, please call Brenda Klaftenegger, Director of Admission, (210) 564-6156.