Traditions

The Academy’s traditions and values are put into practice each and every day of school,
beginning with morning Chapel, where boys raise their hands to salute the flag, and lift their
voices to recite the Lord’s Prayer. Chapel has been an integral part of SAA since its beginning.

The Buddy Mentorship program enriches our school community as older boys nurture and develop the younger boys. Pre-K boys are paired with 5th graders, kindergarten boys are paired with 6th graders, and so on. Our hope is that the boys will form bonds with each other throughout their time at SAA. Pre-K through 2nd grade boys sit with their buddies at lunch, but there are also special events scheduled throughout the year, such as the 1st Grade Bike Race with their 7th grade buddies, and “Pals and Popsicles” at the end of the year with 2nd graders and 8th graders.

Learn more about the buddy program in the video below.

At lunch, students sit at mixed tables with students from each age group, encouraging a brotherly affection between all ages. With large plates of food served family-style, the older boys assist younger students with their meal, allowing the older boys to shine in a leadership role outside of the classroom and drill field. The lunchroom responsibilities grant even the youngest boy an opportunity to lend a hand in the overall cleanup of the dining hall, while the presence of a teacher at the table affords the boys conversational time with a faculty member who is not part of their daily academics.

Read "Dining Family Style"

Held during Alumni Day, new Cadets, backed by alumni, take an oath to do their best and begin their journey towards excellence by crossing the Blue Line.

A Pass-in-Review is held in honor of King Antonio, the Fiesta Queen, the Fiesta Princess, and the Texas Cavaliers. This long-standing tradition is held to celebrate Fiesta and the many generations of Academy graduates, dads, and grandfathers who serve as Texas Cavaliers. Following the parade, a “royal kiss” is awarded to our Battalion Commander and to 2nd grader from the Fiesta Queen and Princess.

San Antonio Academy's participation in the Battle of Flowers Parade can be traced back to the 1930s. The Academy exclusively has the honor of guarding the Alamo during the parade by receiving floral wreaths and placing them on the sacred ground in front of the Alamo. The wreaths symbolize the soldiers who were killed during the Battle of The Alamo.

At SAA, we have several long-standing traditions that are a part of our graduation ceremony:

• The Bondurant Gate: Cadets stoically walk down the steps of Taylor Hall as the bell rings and their full name is called, where they then make their way to cross through the iconic Bondurant Gate.
• The Blue Line: While standing in their final formation as they prepare to depart the Cadet ranks, 8th graders re-cross the “Blue Line,” symbolically having completed and excelled at the most challenging leadership development and educational experience there is for an Elementary and Middle School boy.  
• Cap Toss: To mark the close of the Commencement event -- and the close of their Academy career -- 8th grade boys toss their cap together at the end of the ceremony.

An afternoon filled with non-stop games, rides, food and good old-fashioned family fun on the San Antonio Academy campus.

A unique experience inspired by the Tour de’ France that has impacted well-over 800 young Academy boys since its inception in 1989. This treasured SAA tradition is a great opportunity for our older boys to steer and cheer on their “little brothers” through the wins and the losses.

Read "Everything A Boy Needs to Know He Can Learn at the Tour de L’Academy."

A competitive tradition that brings SAA alumni together with the 8th grade Wildcat basketball team for a fun annual rivalry.

Hosted by the 8th grade, Cowboy Breakfast is held at the end of January each year as a fundraiser for their class gift to the school. SAA current and alumni students and families stop by to enjoy biscuits, gravy, and hot cocoa, as well as some live country music and steer roping, as cowboy culture is celebrated The Academy Way.

Named for W. T. Bondurant Jr., president of SAA from 1960-1985, the Oratorical Contest is held annually to give Upper School students the opportunity to further develop public speaking skills, an important aspect of the SAA curriculum. Six Academy students from grades 6-8 (two boys from each grade) present their personal essays in front of an alumni audience who volunteer to judge the contest and provided valuable guidance on becoming effective orators. 

Celebrated by the Primary, Elementary, and Middle School, students go head-to-head to compete in challenges such as the sack race, basketball, long jump, dodgeball, and everyone’s favorite: Tug-of-War. 

Held on their last day of school, 8th graders attend their final Chapel in Ellison Hall as Academy Cadets. Holding steadfast to decades-long tradition, they sit in the front row in the little guys’ benches, where it all began for them when they were "boys in blue shorts." Before they dismiss, graduates pass the torch to the 7th graders by presenting each boy with a white belt, a tradition which signifies their move to the ranks and leadership role as 8th graders -- ensuring that the Bond of Brotherhood carries on.

SAA alumni of all ages gather for a reception under the iconic oak tree in front of the steps of Taylor Hall to reminisce and reconnect with fellow alumni and teachers.