Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Top 10 Private High Schools in San Antonio
Curated by Chief Revenue Officer Kory White · CRO Syndicate
Top 10 Private High Schools in San Antonio
Direct Answer
The Best Overall private high school in San Antonio is TMI Episcopal (The Episcopal School of Texas), a college-preparatory school in the Hill Country whose 100% college-acceptance rate, optional Corps of Cadets leadership track, and small class sizes consistently make it the area's strongest all-around choice.
The Best Value pick is Antonian College Preparatory High School, a Catholic school whose tuition near $13,000 delivers a rigorous AP-heavy curriculum and high four-year college placement at a fraction of the cost of the elite independents. This list is built for families and students weighing where to enroll across San Antonio and the surrounding Bexar County area, with a focus on academics, college outcomes, faith or values fit, and affordability.
Every pick uses real, publicly reported data from school profiles, Niche, the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission (TEPSAC), and the National Catholic Educational Association.
How We Ranked the Top 10
We weighted each school against the priorities families tell admissions offices they actually care about, drawing on published figures from Niche, U.S. News, individual school profiles, and accreditation bodies including ISAS and TCCED. The weighting:
- Academic performance (AP/IB, test scores) - 25%
- College and post-grad outcomes - 20%
- Value and tuition - 15%
- Teachers and resources - 15%
- Environment, values, and safety - 15%
- Extracurriculars and fit - 10%
A school that posts elite scores but a thin college list, or wins on reputation but charges far beyond what its outcomes justify, drops fast. The winners balance all six.
1. TMI Episcopal 🏆 BEST OVERALL
Type: Independent Episcopal, College-Prep | Tuition: About $27,000 (day) | Best for: Families wanting rigorous academics plus an optional leadership Corps
Founded in 1893 and located on a sprawling campus in the Hill Country north of the city, TMI Episcopal enrolls roughly 475 students in grades 6 to 12 and posts a 100% college-acceptance rate. The school offers more than 20 Advanced Placement courses and an optional Corps of Cadets leadership program that draws students interested in service academies.
Average class sizes hover near 15 students, and graduates regularly matriculate to Texas A&M, UT Austin, Trinity University, and the U.S. Military academies. Strong arts, athletics, and a religiously inclusive Episcopal identity round out the experience.
Pros:
- 100% college acceptance with a deep AP catalog
- Optional Corps of Cadets leadership pathway
- Spacious Hill Country campus with strong athletics
Cons:
- Premium tuition near $27,000
- Commute can be long for families in the southern city
Verdict: The most complete private school in San Antonio, balancing rigor, leadership, and outcomes better than any peer.
2. Saint Mary's Hall
Type: Independent, Nonsectarian | Tuition: About $30,000 | Best for: Top-tier academics and selective-college placement
Saint Mary's Hall, founded in 1879, is the city's oldest independent school and enrolls about 920 students across all grades. The upper school posts a near 100% college matriculation rate, with graduates heading to schools such as Rice, Vanderbilt, and the Ivies. The school offers a robust slate of AP courses, a 9:1 student-teacher ratio, and standout fine-arts and debate programs.
Pros:
- Strong selective-college placement
- Low 9:1 student-teacher ratio
- Elite debate and fine-arts programs
Cons:
- Highest tuition in the city
- Competitive, fast-paced environment
Verdict: The academic gold standard for families targeting highly selective universities.
3. Antonian College Preparatory High School 💎 BEST VALUE
Type: Catholic, Co-ed | Tuition: About $13,000 | Best for: Faith-based, affordable college prep
Antonian College Prep enrolls roughly 800 students and combines a Catholic identity with a strong AP and dual-credit curriculum. The school reports a graduation rate near 100% and high four-year college placement, with graduates earning substantial scholarship offers each year.
At about $13,000, it delivers college-prep rigor at less than half the cost of the elite independents.
Pros:
- Tuition near $13,000 with strong outcomes
- AP and dual-credit options
- Active service and faith community
Cons:
- Larger class sizes than independents
- Less individualized college counseling
Verdict: The best dollar-for-dollar choice in San Antonio for college-bound students.
4. Central Catholic High School
Type: Catholic, All-Boys (Marianist) | Tuition: About $14,000 | Best for: All-boys, leadership, and athletics
Founded in 1852, Central Catholic is an all-boys Marianist school enrolling about 600 students with a 100% college-acceptance rate. It is known for a powerhouse football program, a strong AP catalog, and a brotherhood culture that produces civic and business leaders across South Texas.
Pros:
- 100% college acceptance
- Strong athletics and brotherhood culture
- Reasonable tuition near $14,000
Cons:
- All-boys may not fit every family
- Large enrollment for upperclassmen
Verdict: The premier all-boys option, blending faith, leadership, and competitive sports.
5. Incarnate Word High School
Type: Catholic, All-Girls | Tuition: About $13,500 | Best for: All-girls college prep
Incarnate Word High School, founded in 1881, is an all-girls Catholic school of roughly 400 students with near 100% college placement. It offers AP and dual-credit courses through the University of the Incarnate Word and a strong STEM and arts program tailored to young women.
Pros:
- Focused all-girls college-prep environment
- Dual-credit ties to UIW
- Tuition near $13,500
Cons:
- Smaller course catalog than independents
- All-girls model is a specific fit
Verdict: A leading all-girls choice with strong STEM and college outcomes.
6. Providence Catholic School
Type: Catholic, All-Girls | Tuition: About $12,500 | Best for: Affordable all-girls education downtown
Providence Catholic School enrolls about 300 girls in grades 6 to 12 and reports strong college placement with a graduation rate near 100%. Its central location and tuition near $12,500 make it accessible to many city families, with solid AP and arts offerings.
Pros:
- Affordable all-girls tuition
- Central, accessible campus
- Tight-knit community
Cons:
- Smaller athletic program
- Limited AP depth versus larger schools
Verdict: An accessible all-girls option with reliable college outcomes.
7. San Antonio Christian Schools (SACS)
Type: Nondenominational Christian | Tuition: About $13,000 | Best for: Faith-centered families wanting a co-ed Christian campus
San Antonio Christian enrolls roughly 1,000 students across its divisions and posts strong college placement with a Bible-integrated curriculum, AP courses, and competitive athletics on a modern north-side campus.
Pros:
- Modern campus and facilities
- Co-ed Christian community
- Strong athletics and arts
Cons:
- Less academic selectivity than independents
- Faith integration is central, not optional
Verdict: A strong choice for families wanting a co-ed, faith-centered education.
8. Keystone School
Type: Independent, Nonsectarian | Tuition: About $24,000 | Best for: Gifted, academically accelerated students
Keystone School, near the Pearl district, enrolls about 450 students and is known for accelerated academics and a near 100% college matriculation rate. Its small classes and intellectual culture send graduates to selective national universities.
Pros:
- Accelerated, intellectual curriculum
- Strong selective-college placement
- Small, central campus
Cons:
- Premium tuition near $24,000
- Limited athletics
Verdict: Ideal for high-achieving students who want depth over breadth.
9. Holy Cross of San Antonio
Type: Catholic, Co-ed | Tuition: About $10,500 | Best for: Budget-conscious Catholic families on the west side
Holy Cross, run by the Brothers of Holy Cross, serves about 400 students with one of the lowest tuitions among the city's Catholic schools at roughly $10,500. It posts strong graduation and college-going rates and serves a historically underserved part of the city.
Pros:
- Lowest tuition among Catholic options
- Strong community and mission focus
- Solid college-going rate
Cons:
- Smaller facilities and course catalog
- Fewer AP offerings
Verdict: A mission-driven, budget-friendly Catholic choice for west-side families.
10. Castle Hills First Baptist School
Type: Christian, Co-ed | Tuition: About $11,500 | Best for: Affordable Christian co-ed schooling
Castle Hills First Baptist School enrolls roughly 600 students and offers a Christ-centered, college-prep program with AP courses, athletics, and arts at a tuition near $11,500, making it one of the more affordable Christian options in the city.
Pros:
- Affordable Christian education
- Co-ed with broad extracurriculars
- Central campus
Cons:
- Less academic selectivity
- Smaller AP catalog
Verdict: A well-rounded, affordable faith-based option.
What to Look For When Choosing a Private High School
- College placement and outcomes - A school sending most graduates to four-year colleges with real scholarship dollars signals consistent results, not just reputation.
- AP, IB, and dual-credit depth - Look at how many students actually pass AP exams or earn college credit, not just how many courses appear in the catalog.
- Tuition versus outcome - A school like Antonian or Holy Cross can deliver excellent results for a fraction of the elite tuitions; weigh value, not just prestige.
- Faith and values fit - Catholic, Episcopal, Baptist, and nonsectarian schools each shape daily life differently; choose what matches your family.
- Single-sex versus co-ed - All-boys and all-girls schools like Central Catholic and Incarnate Word suit some students far better than others.
- Class size and counseling - Smaller ratios and dedicated college counseling affect outcomes more than building age or marketing.
What matters less than marketing implies: a school's age, its newest athletic facility, or a single average test score. Fit, program access, and a supportive teacher relationship affect a student's outcome far more than a headline figure.
FAQ
Which private high school is the best overall in San Antonio? TMI Episcopal earns the top spot for its 100% college-acceptance rate, deep AP catalog, optional Corps of Cadets leadership track, and spacious Hill Country campus.
What is the best value private high school in San Antonio? Antonian College Preparatory is our best value, delivering AP and dual-credit rigor with strong college placement at a tuition near $13,000, far below the elite independents.
Which San Antonio private school is best for academics? Saint Mary's Hall posts the strongest selective-college placement, with a 9:1 student-teacher ratio and graduates heading to schools like Rice, Vanderbilt, and the Ivies.
Are there all-boys or all-girls private schools in San Antonio? Yes. Central Catholic is the leading all-boys school, while Incarnate Word and Providence Catholic are strong all-girls options, all with near-universal college placement.
How much does private high school cost in San Antonio? Tuition ranges from roughly $10,500 at Holy Cross to about $30,000 at Saint Mary's Hall, with most Catholic schools clustered around $12,000 to $14,000.
Which San Antonio private school is most affordable? Holy Cross of San Antonio has one of the lowest tuitions at about $10,500, followed by Castle Hills First Baptist near $11,500, both with solid college-going rates.
Bottom Line
For San Antonio families, TMI Episcopal is our Best Overall private high school - its 100% college acceptance, deep AP catalog, and optional leadership Corps set the standard. Antonian College Preparatory is our Best Value, delivering rigorous college prep and strong placement at a tuition near $13,000.
If your priority is elite selective-college placement, an all-boys or all-girls environment, or the lowest possible tuition, route yourself to Saint Mary's Hall, Central Catholic, Incarnate Word, or Holy Cross instead. Choose on fit, outcomes, and value rather than prestige alone, and your student will be set up to succeed.
Sources
- Niche - Best Private High Schools in San Antonio
- U.S. News - High Schools in Texas
- TMI Episcopal - school profile
- Saint Mary's Hall - admissions and academics
- Antonian College Preparatory High School
- Central Catholic High School
- Incarnate Word High School
- Texas Private School Accreditation Commission (TEPSAC)