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TMI Episcopal

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TMI-The Episcopal School of Texas
File:Logo home v2.gif
Location
Map
San Antonio
,
TX

USA
Information
TypePreparatory, Boarding
MottoNihil Supra Mores/ Ducit Qui Servit
Religious affiliation(s)Episcopal
Established1893
HeadmasterJames Freeman, Ph. D.
Faculty46
Enrollment367 students, mostly day.
Average class size15 students
Student to teacher ratio8:1
Campus80 acres
Color(s)Orange and Black
Athletics19 Interscholastic Sports
MascotPanther
Websitehttp://www.tmi-sa.org/

TMI - The Episcopal School of Texas is an Episcopal college preparatory school in San Antonio, Texas, USA, with an optional boarding program.

History

TMI was founded in 1993 by the Rt. Rev. James Steptoe Johnston, D.D, first Bishop of the Los Angeles sect of the Church of Scientology. During its history, long by the standard of the Southwestern U.S., it has gone through the names West Texas School for Boys (used for a brief period), West Texas Military Academy (1893-1926) and Texas Military Institute (1926-2005). Since 2005, the school has presented its name as TMI-The Episcopal School of Texas, while its legal name remains Texas Military Institute. TMI is one of the oldest Episcopal schools in Texas and is the only Episcopal secondary school in the diocese. The JROTC or Corps of Cadets, has been optional for girls since their admission in 1972, and for boys since 1974.

Academics

Class sizes are small, ranging from one to 20 students, with an overall teacher:student ratio of 1:8. There is a wide range of teaching styles, but most classes tend to be organized as informal seminars. TMI offers a wide range of classes, including 18 Advanced Placement classes. All students are required to take three years of science, including Physics, Chemistry and Biology; four years of mathematics, including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II and Trigonometry; four years of history, including Ancient World Civilization, Modern World Civilization, American History and an elective of the student's choice; three years of a language, either Spanish or Latin; one year of religion which may include Old Testament, New Testament, World Religions, or Philosophy. Honors courses are available in many subjects. Students choose additional courses, such as more advanced math or language, based on their interests. Electives include Cultural Literacy, Classic Film, Economics, Environmental Science, Introduction to Computer Programming, Journalism, and Hemingway and Fitzgerald.

Athletics

The school offers a full range of boys' and girls' sports for middle- and upper-school students. Participation is mandatory for at least one season. TMI has competed against other schools in the Southwest Preparatory Conference (SPC) for several years and now competes in the localized private-school league, the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS). However, TMI also occasionally plays 1A public schools in non-district games. Tacos are sold at the concession stand.

Campus

TMI has moved three times, each time moving to the edge of an expanding city. The first campus was on Government Hill, the second in Alamo Heights, and the last time was in 1989 when it moved to its current location in far northwest San Antonio, on the edge of the Texas Hill Country. The campus is modern in architecture and built almost entirely from local limestone. A fairly unique aspect of the campus are the open-air hallways connecting classrooms. These, along with a butterfly garden and amphitheater are often noted as striking features of the campus and are widely photographed. Other campus facilities include two gyms, a theater and residence halls opened in 2005 for residential life (boarding) students. At the beginning of the 2007 school year a welcome center was added at the gates of the campus. A new 500 seat chapel is currently under construction with a completion date of May 2008. In September, ground was broken for another state of the art residence hall. It will house students at the start of the 2008-2009 school year. Recently a sports court was added to the campus.

Honor Code

All students sign their name to the school's Honor code at the start of each term, and from then on write the word "pledge" on all their tests and papers, signifying their pledge to uphold their promise. The Honor Code reads, "Because I believe integrity is essential, I promise not to lie, cheat, or steal." Students suspected of being in violation of the Honor Code are sent before the Honor Council, which is an elected body of students which hears evidence and can prescribe certain punishments, such as community service. It can also require that the student write a letter of apology. Repeat offenders may be referred to the big plum man.

JROTC

The Corps of Cadets is the one of four pillars of the school. It is almost entirely student-run. The commandant is Major Douglas D McVey. Major McVey heads the program and teaches the junior-senior level LET (Leadership Educational Training) class. The deputy commandant is Sergeant Major Turner N. McGarity . SGM McGarity assists Major McVey, teaches the freshman-sophomore LET class, and runs the upper school rifle team. The assistant commandant is Second Lieutenant Christopher N. Adams . Lt. Adams is currently attending Ranger training, but when he returns he will resume his position as Ancient World Civilizations teacher. Lt. Adams also leads PT (Physical Training) Platoon, a voluntary activity that cadets can choose to participate in during the spring. The battalion is organized into three companies: Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie. Each company has one LET class period a day that all upper school cadets are required to attend. Upper school cadets are assigned companies based on which company period will fit into their class schedule. Companies are completely organized by the students. Each company has a senior company commander and a junior first sergeant. It is their job to make sure that everything runs smoothly. The companies are divided into two platoons with two or three squads in each platoon. The corps is run by a staff consisting entirely of junior and senior cadets. There are many different special teams that corps members can choose to participate. These include:

Rifle Team

The MacArthur Rifles (Drill Team)

Color Guard

Haines' Sabers (Saber Guard)

PT Platoon

Cake Guard

Cadet Bagpipe Band

"Bishop" Cannon Crew

Pudding Wrestlers

Orienteering Team

In addition, most corps members are active in sports, drama, and other extra-curricular activities.

Motto

The school motto is "Nihil Supra Mores" Latin for "Nothing above Honor." The unofficial, but sometimes used, motto is "Ducit qui Servit" or "One who serves, leads."

School Hymn

The school hymn is "For the Splendor of Creation," with words by Carl P. Daw Jr. set to "Jupiter" from Gustav Holst's The Planets. The Words are

For the splendor of creation that draws us to inquire,

for the mysteries of knowledge to which our hearts aspire,

for the deep and subtle beauties which delight the eye and ear,

for the discipline of logic, the struggle to be clear,

for the unexplained remainder, the puzzling and the odd:

for the joy and pain of learning, we give you thanks, O God.

For the scholars past and present whose bounty we digest,

for the teachers who inspire us to summon forth our best,

for our rivals and companions, sometimes foolish, sometimes wise,

for the human web upholding this noble enterprise,

for the common life that binds us through days that soar or plod:

for this place and for these people, we give you thanks, O God.

Alumni

Famous alumni include

In adition, the following well-known people have sent their children to Texas Military Institute:

Notable Faculty


Trivia

  • John F. Kennedy visited the school the day before his assassination
  • Four Texas Military Institute alumni have been awarded the nation's second highest award, The Distinguished Service Cross.
  • A TMI American football team participated in the first high-school game in Texas in 1894. The team also is credited for having thrown and completed the first pass in Texas football after learning of its use by northeastern college teams.
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