San Antonio Academy
Leadership Education
The San Antonio Academy Military Leadership Program is a required extracurricular activity for students in 3rd - 8th grade, and provides students with opportunities to acquire leadership skills, learn the principles of teamwork, and develop the esprit de corps that comes from working together to achieve common goals.
The program is designed to enhance the school’s rigorous educational program with a focus on developing young leaders of character committed to the school’s motto: Be honest. Be kind. Be the best you can be.
SAA's Military Leadership Program promotes a variety of life skills: planning, following directions, working as a team, setting goals, and overcoming obstacles. Through this unique and tradition-rich program, SAA boys have learned to become responsible, self-confident young men.
For program details, please see the Military Program Guide.
Meet the Commandant
SgtMaj Delvyn Smythe
Commandant
Read Bio
Military Program Guide
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Military Program Traditions
Alamo Honor Guard
SAA's participation in the citywide Fiesta parades can be traced back to the mid-1930s. Each year, The Academy provides an Honor Guard, which plays a significant role during the Battle of Flowers parade by placing floral wreaths on the sacred ground in front of The Alamo. These floral offerings honor those who fought and fell in both the Battle of The Alamo and the pivotal Battle of San Jacinto.
Inspections
An exercise steeped in Academy history dating back to the school's origin in 1886, Academy students are expected to meet uniform, hair, and grooming standards each school day. Individual scores for inspections and daily wear are reflected in the company’s overall inspection score with the lead company recognized at the end of the year. Inspections are also a great place to spot our boys helping each other and making sure they all look their very best.
Battalion Leadership Induction Ceremony
Starting in the 7th grade and into their 8th-grade year, boys are considered for positions that include Commanders, Executive Officers, Platoon Leaders, Battalion Staff, First Sergeants, Squad Leaders, and Guideon Bearers. Duties vary by position but range from being responsible for all Battalion activities in the highest-ranking position of Battalion Commander to positions throughout each of the six companies to ensure they run well.
Joining Oath
Held on Alumni Day, new cadets, backed by alumni, take an oath to do their best and begin their journey towards excellence. At the end of their journey, as 8th graders, they will then be asked at their final formation if they are prepared to depart the cadet ranks. At that time they will re-cross the “Blue Line”, symbolically having completed and excelled at the most challenging leader development, and educational experience there is for an elementary and middle school boy.
Leadership Retreats
Leadership retreats are conducted throughout the school year for 5th – 8th grades. They provide an opportunity for the boys to gain confidence and for the class to build the team and foster esprit de corps while learning new leadership skills. 5th graders attend a day retreat while 6th – 8th grades attend an overnight retreat.
Company Challenge
Students participate in the Company Challenge both individually and as a company team. Individual challenges are conducted during P.E. Team challenges are conducted three times a year, as a mini field day, in the build up to Field Day. Scores from each, individual and team, are reflected in the company’s overall challenge score.
Commencement Blue Line Ceremony
As 8th graders, the boys are asked at their final formation during Commencement if they are prepared to depart the Cadet ranks. At that time, they 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.
Military Leadership Program FAQs
- What does SAA’s Military Leadership Program teach?
- At what age do students participate in the program?
- Is participation required?
- Does this program help families seeking an alternative school for their son?
- What are the uniform requirements?