Understanding Your Options
Private Boarding Schools
Texas has three private military boarding schools. Marine Military Academy in Harlingen is an all-boys school with Marine Corps JROTC, one of only a few with Marines affiliation in the country. San Marcos Academy is a coed Baptist school serving grades K-12 with boarding from 7th grade. TMI Episcopal (Texas Military Institute) in San Antonio is a coed Episcopal school for grades 6-12 with Army JROTC.
Youth Challenge Programs
Texas Challenge Academy in Eagle Lake is a free 22-week residential program for at-risk Texas youth ages 16-18 who have dropped out or are struggling in traditional school. The program focuses on GED preparation, life skills, physical fitness, and character development.
Admissions & Residency Rules
Geographic Requirements
Private military boarding schools (Marine Military Academy, San Marcos Academy, TMI Episcopal) accept students nationally and internationally. Texas A&M and Tarleton State accept out-of-state students with higher tuition rates. Texas Challenge Academy serves Texas residents only.
Everything's Bigger in Texas—Including the Corps
When it comes to military education, Texas doesn't do small. The Texas A&M Corps of Cadets is the largest uniformed student body outside the federal academies, with a tradition stretching back to 1876 when the university opened as an all-male military school. Today, the Corps produces more military officers than any source except West Point, Annapolis, and the Air Force Academy.
Private Military Boarding Schools
Texas offers three private military boarding options, each with its own character. Families seeking a military school for boys will find Marine Military Academy; those wanting coed options have San Marcos Academy and TMI Episcopal.
Marine Military Academy - Located in Harlingen (about 5 hours from Houston, 4 hours from San Antonio), MMA is an all-boys school with Marine Corps JROTC—one of only a handful in the country. Known for rigorous physical training and strong discipline, it serves grades 8-12 and post-graduate students. The campus includes a replica of the Iwo Jima Memorial.
San Marcos Academy - A coed Baptist school in the Hill Country, about 30 minutes from Austin and 45 minutes from San Antonio. Serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade, with boarding available starting in 7th grade. Army JROTC program with a faith-based approach to character development.
TMI Episcopal - Texas Military Institute in San Antonio is a coed Episcopal school for grades 6-12 with Army JROTC. It combines military structure with Episcopal values and strong college-prep academics. Day and boarding options available.
The Texas A&M Tradition
Texas A&M Corps of Cadets - Located in College Station (about 90 minutes from Houston, 2.5 hours from Dallas), the Corps is the heart of Texas A&M's military heritage. With over 2,400 cadets in Army, Navy/Marine, and Air Force ROTC units, it offers a full military college experience within a major research university. Cadets live in the Corps dorms, follow military schedules, and can earn commissions upon graduation.
Tarleton State Corps of Cadets - Part of the Texas A&M System, Tarleton in Stephenville offers a smaller, more intimate Corps experience. Army ROTC with the same military values and traditions, but in a less intense environment than the flagship.
Maritime and Challenge Options
Texas A&M Maritime Academy - Located in Galveston, this program trains students for careers in the maritime industry with options for Coast Guard and Navy commissioning.
Texas Challenge Academy - A free 22-week residential program in Eagle Lake for at-risk Texas youth ages 16-18. Focuses on GED completion, life skills, and getting young people back on track.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the largest military school in Texas?
Texas A&M Corps of Cadets is by far the largest, with over 2,400 cadets. It's the largest uniformed body of students outside the federal service academies and produces more military officers than any source except West Point, Annapolis, and the Air Force Academy.
Are there any free military schools in Texas?
Texas Challenge Academy in Eagle Lake is a free 22-week residential program for eligible at-risk youth ages 16-18. Public universities (Texas A&M, Tarleton State) offer in-state tuition for Texas residents but are not free.
Which Texas military schools accept girls?
San Marcos Academy, TMI Episcopal, Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, Tarleton State Corps, and Texas Challenge Academy are all coed. Marine Military Academy is all-boys.
Is Texas A&M a military school?
Texas A&M has a voluntary Corps of Cadets within the larger university. Not all students are cadets—it's an optional program. However, the Corps is one of six Senior Military Colleges and maintains a strong military tradition since 1876.
What is Marine Military Academy known for?
Marine Military Academy in Harlingen is one of the few schools in the nation with Marine Corps JROTC. It's an all-boys boarding school known for rigorous physical training, strong discipline, and high rates of college and military acceptance.