The coeducational institution now known as San Marcos Academy was founded in 1907. It provides educational services to students K3-12 and boarding for students 6 – 12. Its mission statement is as follows, “The mission of San Marcos Academy is to educate young men and women within a nurturing community based upon Christian values.” It is located in San Marcos, Texas.
The school’s website provides the following information about the concept and early days of the institution. In 1905, two Baptist pastors, Rev. M. E. Hudson and Rev. J. B. Holt spoke a meeting in Lockhart about the need for a school in that area of Texas. Following further discussion, a committee was formed to investigate possible locations for the school. In March of 1906, bids were opened and upon recommendations of denominational leaders J. B. Gambrell and J. M. Carroll, the committee selected San Marcos as the prospective location for the academy. The pledge needs were established by the city of San Marcos and Texas Baptists, fifty-seven acres of land in San Marcos was donated by the city and fund raising began, headed up by Dr. J. M. Carroll.
One of the earliest mentions in newspapers of the institution was made in The Brownsville Herald on December 7, 1906 when it reported that there was to be a three-day meeting of associates in the town beginning that day. The attendees included Rev. J. M. Carroll of Waco, “financial agent for the San Marcos Baptist Academy now in course of construction at San Marcos.” A few months later, the Corpus Christi Weekly Caller reported in its issue of March 22, 1907 that a collection of $325 was taken up in a local church for San Marcos Academy. The article mentioned that it was earmarked for a school building there that was destined to be one of the largest in the state, a three story brick structure with footprint of 153 by 300 feet.
Contracts were let, funding was raised and the cornerstone for the first building was laid in December, 1907 with a goal of accepting its first students the following fall. The Austin American-Statesman carried this drawing and article.
The school’s first president was Dr. James M. Carroll. Dr. Carroll was born in Arkansas on January 8, 1852 to Benajah Carroll and Mary Eliza Mallard Carroll. James came from a large family. His father was a minister. Four of their six sons became ministers. One of his older siblings was Dr. Benajah Harvey Carroll who had a similar background and had served in the Civil War. A few years after the family moved to Burleson County, Texas both of their parents died: his father when he was six and his mother when he was ten. In 1870 when James was eighteen years old, he was married to Sudie Eliza Womble, a local girl of sixteen. He farmed for a while before they both returned to study at Baylor University while it was located in Washington County.
After completing his education, James also responded to a call to the ministry. He was also interested in education and founded the Education Committee of the Baptist Convention of Texas and pastored churches on a permanent and interim basis, including about one year at First Baptist Church of Waco. He was selected to direct the fund raising for San Marcos Academy and to serve as its first president. He was successful in raising funds from Texas Baptists and the local community, allowing the institution to be created. Dr. Carroll served as president from 1907 to 1911. Dr. Caroll went on to serve as founding president of Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Oklahoma from 1911 to 1912 and the following year, he served as president of Howard Payne College in Brownwood, Texas. Dr. Carroll continued to serve in Baptist work for the rest of his life and was the author of several books including a biography of his brother, Dr. B. H. Carroll.
Later presidents of San Marcos Academy were Thomas G. Harris in 1911 and J. V. Brown in 1916. In 1917 the war effort was underway and the school added a junior reserve officer training program (JROTC) to its curriculum. For a while, all male students were required to participate, though it is no longer required. Also, from time to time the institution has been informally referred to as San Marcos Baptist Military Academy or San Marcos Military Academy. Many attendees and graduates have gone on to have careers in the United States military and it is not unusual to see references to San Marcos Military Academy in obituaries.
Colonel Jesse Franklin became president in 1927 followed by Dr. Raymond M. Cavness in 1932. Dr. Robert Bruce Reed became president in 1947. Dr. Reed had been present at the laying of the cornerstone for the first building many years earlier. Later presidents were Dr. William G. Crook who began to serve in 1960, Jack E. Byrom came on as president in 1965.
In 1979, the former campus was sold to Southwest Texas State University, now known as Texas State University. Part of the agreement was that the Academy could occupy its former buildings until the buildings of the new 200 acre campus was completed, some three or four miles to the west. Later presidents were Vic Schmidt, Dr. John Garrison, Jimmie Scott and Dr. Brian Guenther, who currently serves in that position.
The Academy is a member of Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) and is accredited by several organizations. It is governed by a board of trustees appointed by the Texas state Baptist Convention.
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