TMI — THE EPISCOPAL SCHOOL OF TEXAS

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

Contents

History

Academics

Athletics

Campus

Honor Code

Motto

School Hymn

Alumni

Notable Faculty

Trivia

External links

History

TMI was founded in 1893 by the Rt. Rev. James Steptoe Johnston, D.D, first Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas. 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. Although it also is the one of the oldest military schools in the country, its Junior ROTC, 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 1:7. 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 including Old and New Testament. 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, French Literature in Translation, Greek I, Introduction to Computer Programming, Journalism and Latin American Short Story.

Athletics

TMI 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).

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. General contractor for the construction of the new campus buildings was Lyda Inc. of San Antonio, Texas. 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 amphitheatre 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. A new chapel also is planned. As of the start of the 2006-2007 school year, a new Welcome Center at the gate to the school's main entrance will provide directions to visitors as well as additional security.

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 and failing grades, it can also require that the student write a letter of apology. Repeat offenders may be referred to the headmaster, as are those suspected of rule-breaking not covered by the honor code.

Motto

The Motto of TMI is "Nihil Supra Mores" Latin for "Nothing above Honor." The unofficial, but often 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

★ Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Commander of Allied Forces in the Southwest Pacific during World War II and Commander of U.N. Forces in the Korean War;

★ Julian Onderdonk Painter, primarily known for Texas landscapes, called the "Father of Texas Painting";

★ Episcopal bishops Frank A. Juhan and Robert R. Brown;

★ Tom Frost, banker and philanthropist, senior chairman of the boards of Frost National Bank in San Antonio and Cullen/Frost Bankers;

★ James T. Willerson, Cardiovascular Surgeon, Texas Heart Institute, President of The University of Texas Health Science Center Houston, Named Outstanding Cardiologist of the Year at Shanghi International Symposium of Cardiolgists in 2006.

★ Dan Blocker, actor and producer, co-star of the “Bonanza” television series;

★ U.S. Rep. Lamar S. Smith, representing the 21st Congressional District from 1987 to the present;

★ Ross Youngs, Hall of Fame professional baseball player;

★ Sam Barshop, Founder of La Quinta Inns, Real Estate Developer, Philanthropist, Educator.

★ Maury Maverick, Jr., attorney, Texas state legislator and longtime columnist for the San Antonio Express-News

★ David Scott, astronaut, pilot of the Gemini 8 and Apollo 9 space flights and commander of Apollo 15

★ Henry Catto, former Ambassador to the Court of St. James (the United Kingdom) and El Salvador

★ Ray M. Keck III, President Texas A&M International University

★ Van McCormick, director of the International Economic Alliance

★ Ralph E. Haines, Jr., U.S. Army four star general
In adition, the following well-known people have sent their children to TMI:

★ Maury Maverick, Sr.

★ Max Lucado

★ Red McCombs

★ George Strait

★ David Gardner

★ Pete Conrad

★ Members of the Somoza family

Notable Faculty

★ Paul K. Davis— History

★ Mary Rohde Scudday— Theatre

Trivia

★ John F. Kennedy visited the school the day before his assassination

★ Four TMI alumni have been awarded the nation's second highest award, The Distinguished Service Cross.

★ A TMI 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.

External links

★ TMI website

★ Private school review