St. Michael’s Catholic Academy

What is the school’s mission?
What makes a Catholic school different from other schools?
What is the SMCA school and community?
What accreditations and memberships does SMCA hold?
What are the academic credentials of the SMCA faculty, staff and administration?
What types of academic programs are available at SMCA?
Are AP classes offered at SMCA?
What is the Learning Center?
Where do SMCA graduates go to college?
Are there dress code guidelines?
What opportunities does Campus Ministry provide for the students’ spiritual and moral growth?
What types of clubs and organizations may students participate in at SMCA?
What sports are available at SMCA?
How can parents become involved at SMCA?
What does SMCA look for in prospective students?
How does my son or daughter apply to St. Michael’s Catholic Academy?
What is the tuition at St. Michael’s Catholic Academy and is Financial Aid available?
Is transportation available to and from school?
How do I schedule a tour or shadow visit at St. Michael’s Catholic Academy?


What is the school’s mission?
St. Michael’s Catholic Academy is a college-preparatory school founded by laity within the Diocese of Austin to serve a diverse student body. Combining academic excellence with faith formation and co-curricular learning opportunities, St. Michael’s prepares the whole student for leadership, service and decision-making consistent with Catholic values.
Back to top

What makes a Catholic school different from other schools?
In Catholic schools, parents are recognized as the first teachers of their children. When parents invite us to be their partners in the educational and spiritual formation of their sons and daughters, we view this as a sacred trust that they have bestowed upon us. In this partnership, Catholic schools teach the Gospel message preached by Jesus, foster a strong sense of community and encourage service to others in need.Ultimately, Catholic schools provide a venue wherein shared values are lived each day.
Back to top

What is the SMCA school and community?
Our current enrollment is 454 students. Approximately 81% of the student body is of the Catholic faith. In keeping with St. Michael’s tradition of serving a diverse student body, over 30% of students represent ethnic minorities. The student-teacher ration is 10:1 and the average class size is 17.
Back to top

What accreditations and memberships does SMCA hold?
SMCA is accredited by the Texas Catholic Conference. Memberships include the National Catholic Educational Association, the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools, the Texas Association of Non-Public Schools, the Council for Spiritual and Ethical Development, the National Association of College Admission Counseling, the Texas Association of College Admissions Counseling and the College Board.
Back to top

What are the academic credentials of the SMCA faculty, staff and administration?
Our talented and dedicated professionals have been trained at 67 different college and universities throughout this country and abroad. Twenty-five faculty members have earned more than one college degree, including five who have an earned doctorate. The average length of classroom teaching experience is over fourteen years.
Back to top

What types of academic programs are available at SMCA?
St. Michael’s Catholic Academy offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum using a semester system of seven class periods. Students must complete a minimum of 6 credits every year. The Class of 2014 is required to successfully complete 28 credits for graduation in the following disciplines:
*Students may not earn more than 2.0 credits in Physical Education.
Students have the ability to bring up to two high school credits from middle school toward their graduation requirements.
Back to top

Are AP classes offered at SMCA?
Honors/Pre AP courses are offered at SMCA in the following subjects:

Advanced Placement courses approved by the College Board are offered in the following subjects:
Back to top

What is the Learning Center?
The mission of the Learning Center is to promote skills in self-motivation that emphasize setting goals, taking risks, monitoring performance, making adjustments when necessary and assuming responsibility for oneself. In addition, the Learning Center provides reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities to ensure their full participation in the academic programs. The Learning Center is a resource for all students to develop effective learning and academic strategies.
Back to top

Where do SMCA graduates go to college?
SMCA has a 3-year average SAT score of 1730. The 2009 national average is 1509 and the Texas average is 1481. SMCA has a 3-year average ACT score of 24.3 The 2009 national average is 20.8 and the Texas average is 21.1 For a list of college acceptances for the class of 2009 see the Academic Profile: 2009 – 2010.
Back to top

Are there dress code guidelines?
To encourage self-respect and proper personal appearance, there are guidelines in place for appropriate student dress.
Back to top

What opportunities does Campus Ministry provide for the students’ spiritual and moral growth?
SMCA is devoted to developing students spiritually within the Catholic faith tradition. The schedule includes daily prayer, class and Kairos retreats, school liturgies and prayer services throughout the year. In order to remain faithful to the Gospel message, each student performs a minimum of60 hours of community service during their four years at SMCA.
Back to top

What types of clubs and organizations may students participate in at SMCA?
SMCA offers a wide range of co-curricular learning opportunities. A sampling of student clubs and activities is shown below.
Back to top

What sports are available at SMCA?
Excellence in sports is a tradition at SMCA. Since our establishment in 1984, Crusader sports teams have won 25 State Championships. Numerous student athletes go on to play at the collegiate level. Students may participate in a variety of interscholastic sports.

Boys:	Girls:
Baseball	Basketball
Basketball	Cheerleading/Mascot
Cheerleading/Mascot	Cross-country
Cross-country	Golf
Football	Lacrosse
Golf	Soccer
Lacrosse	Softball
Soccer	Swimming
Swimming	Tennis
Tennis	Track
Track	Volleyball

Back to top

How can parents become involved at SMCA?
Every parent of a St. Michael’s student is automatically a member of the SMCA Parents’ Club. This group has regular meetings and assists the school in planning a variety of activities such as the Los Posadas cultural celebration in December and the Mother/Daughter Tea and Father/Son Outing for juniors and seniors in the spring. Volunteers are also sought to assist with planning and organizing school-wide development events. The Athletic Booster Club, the Fine Arts Guild, College Crusaders and the Moms in Prayer group provide other avenues for parental involvement.The SMCA Thrift Shoppe, in operation for over 15 years, is located at 5907 Burnet Road. The Shoppe provides a resource to the community and funding for SMCA. All parents are encouraged to volunteer at the Thrift Shoppe during their inaugural year at St. Michael’s in order to ensure the store’s continuous operation.
Back to top

What does SMCA look for in prospective students?
We look for young people who demonstrate academic promise and character, whose interests are varied,and whom we believe will make positive contributions to the SMCA community. We seek to enroll students who display not only the desire and ability to complete a rigorous college preparatory program of studies,but also receptiveness to the various religious and Christian formation programs which are essential to the school’s total program.
Back to top

How does my son or daughter apply to St. Michael’s Catholic Academy?
Applying to SMCA is a multi-faceted process that includes gathering information about the personal,academic, and spiritual background of the applicant. The deadline for new student applications is February 1, 2010. Thereafter, applications are reviewed for acceptance on a space-available basis.
Back to top

What is the tuition at St. Michael’s Catholic Academy and is Financial Aid available?
Tuition for the 2010-2011 school year is $13,135. There is also a $550 annual enrollment fee and $550 facilities use fee. Students purchase their books, which cost between $400 and $800 per year. Need-based financial aid is available. Currently, over 35% of the student body receives some assistance.Over $775,000 in financial aid or scholarships was awarded for the 2009 – 2010 school year.
Back to top

Is transportation available to and from school?
St. Michael’s students come from over 50 different zip code areas in and around Austin.There are three bus/van routes and stops available. There is a fee to participate in the school transportation program. The current route stops are as follows:
Back to top

How do I schedule a tour or shadow visit at St. Michael’s Catholic Academy?
Tours and meetings with the Admissions Office are available year-round. Families may schedule individual shadow visits during the regular school year by contacting the Admissions Office to setup an appointment.
Back to top