The Most Expensive Schools In San Antonio Today

With the educational scene becoming increasingly cutthroat, parents constantly pursue the best opportunities to provide their kids with a solid foundation for future success. A nurturing learning environment conducive to growth, academic prowess, and engaging extracurricular activities are among the top features parents search for. 

Some parents don’t mind spending extra to put their children through prestigious schools for an elite education. This comprehensive guide aims to shed light on the most expensive schools in San Antonio, Texas. You’ll learn about the school’s tuition fees, unique academic programs, and various extracurricular offerings that make it worth investing your hard-earned cash. 

This valuable information can help you make well-informed choices that align with your financial capabilities and educational aspirations. Here are the fifteen most expensive schools in San Antonio today. 

St. George Episcopal School

6900 West Ave, San Antonio, TX 78213

St. George Episcopal School is a private, independent co-educational school in Castle Hills, San Antonio, Texas. The school serves kids in junior kindergarten through 8th grade and has roughly 532 students. The school’s mission is to offer exceptional academic preparation within a Christian setting that fosters love and respect for God. 

The school has a four-tier payment breakdown that includes

• Junior and Senior Kindergarten, $12,300
• Lower School (Grades 1-5), $13,950
• Middle School (Grades 6-8), $15,450

Families that can’t afford the full cost are encouraged to apply for financial aid — 25% of the students at the school benefit from the program. The school uses a third-party firm, ISM FAST, to gather information and evaluate eligibility. 

The Montessori School of San Antonio

17722 Rogers Ranch, San Antonio, TX 78258

The Montessori School of San Antonio (MSSA) is a private school offering a personalized education experience through the Montessori method and philosophy. The school is located on a 24-acre campus at the intersection of Loop 1604 and Rogers Ranch Parkway. It features a quarter-mile nature trail for kids to explore, a soccer field, and classrooms designed to meet the learning criteria set out by Dr. Montessori.

The school’s website breaks down the 2023-24 school year tuition costs into five categories. Pre-kindergarten kids attending half-days pay $11,449. Parents with kindergarten kids attending a full-school day will spend $16,074. Lower and Upper Elementary kids from grades 1 through 6 pay $18,072, and $19,942 for those in 7th and 8th grades. 

The school offers three payment plans, monthly, semi-annual, and annual, which feature a Tuition Protection Plan (TPP.) The TPP acts as a financial security measure for parents who may withdraw their child before the end of the school year. 

MSSA also offers financial assistance to qualified families. Your child must have completed the admissions process and gotten admission before applying for financial aid. The school charges a non-refundable $85.00 application fee for each child seeking admission. 

Holy Cross Of San Antonio

426 N San Felipe Ave, San Antonio, TX 78228

Holy Cross Of San Antonio is a Catholic, co-educational private school that offers college preparatory education in the tradition of the Congregation of Holy Cross. The school currently serves roughly 300 students in 6th through 12th grade. 

The school prides itself on being the most affordable Catholic college preparatory high school in San Antonio, charging an annual tuition fee of $11,385 to high school students in the 2023-24 school year. Parents with kids in middle school will spend roughly $7,590. All fees, textbooks, and athletic costs are included in the price indicated. 

The school offers three payment options:

• A one-time annual payment
• Monthly payment plan with 11 installments of $1,035 for high schools or $690 for middle school
• A flexible repayment plan for as low as $898.64/per month in high school or $553.64/per month for middle school

The school offers financial assistance, with an average grant of $800 per student. Holy Cross of San Antonio charges a one-time, non-refundable fee of $450 during admission. 

St. Anthony Catholic High School

3200 McCullough Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212

St. Anthony Catholic High School is a top-rated Catholic school in the Monte Vista Historic District in Midtown San Antonio. Founded in 1903 by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, the school offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum to roughly 302 9th- through 12th-grade students. 

The annual tuition cost for the 2023-24 school year at St. Anthony Catholic High School is $11,740. The fee doesn’t include other costs such as parent-teacher club fees, insurance, graduation fees, and summer school tuition, among others. 

The school has numerous scholarship offers that students can take advantage of to reduce their cost of attending school. Some of the scholarship programs include:

• Hope for the Future Scholarship
• Middle School Valedictorian and Salutatorian Scholarship
• Brain Power Scholarship

Parents have access to a variety of payment options, including annual payments, two payment terms, and 10, 11, or 12 monthly payments. The school also charges a $340 non-refundable application fee and a $50 registration fee.

Lutheran High School of San Antonio

18104 Babcock Road, San Antonio, TX 78255

Lutheran High School of San Antonio is a college-preparatory high school under the Lutheran High School Association. The school receives support from six congregations of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS.) The school is home to roughly 126 students in grades 9-12. 

Tuition at the school is set with family budgets in mind. However, the general figure is approximately $11,200 annually for the highest grade offered. Families at any of the six Lutheran churches (Concordia Lutheran, Crown of Life, Messiah Lutheran, Mount Calvary, Redeemer Lutheran, ​Shepherd of the Hills) receive a discount. 

Lutheran High School offers financial assistance to families wishing to make education affordable for their kids. The application is made through the FACTS system. A non-refundable $27 payment is required. Families can pay the tuition in one, two, or twelve monthly installments. 

Antonian College Preparatory High School

6425 West Ave, San Antonio, TX 78213

Antonian College Preparatory High School in San Antonio, Texas, is a private Catholic co-educational high school that was established in 1894. It operates under the guidance of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio and serves approximately 722 scholars with a commendable student-teacher ratio of 11:1. 

The school has earned numerous parochial, state, and national recognition. Antonian has been awarded the title of National Blue Ribbon School twice, firstly in 2000 and later in 2003, by the U.S. Department of Education.

Antonian College Preparatory High School charged $12,720 in annual tuition for the 2023-24 school year. The school indicates that families with multiple kids enrolled can receive a discount of $500 per child. 

The school has numerous payment plans, including a one-time annual payment, a bi-annual payment, and three monthly payment plans. The 12-month payment plan is $1,060 per installment, $1,156.37 for the 11-month plan, and $1,272.00 for the 10-month plan. 

Additional fees include dual credit registration, re-enrollment, uniforms, and extracurricular activities. Families using credit cards for payments incur a 2.95% transaction fee. 

Luckily Antonian students qualify for several merit-based scholarships, 3rd-party scholarships, and need-based assistance programs. The scholarships and grants range from $500 to $3000, which can help reduce and offset the cost of attending school. 

The Starr Family Jewish Day School

3003 Sholom Dr. Bldg 2, San Antonio, TX 78230

The Starr Family Jewish Day School (STARR JDS) is a private school offering a rigorous educational experience rooted in traditional Jewish values. The school utilizes a unique approach to instruction, with multi-age classroom environments for kindergarten through 8th-grade kids. 

The school tuition fee structure is based on family income. The STARR JDS website notes that the tuition fee for the 2023-24 academic year is $12,500. The final figure may be higher, with families needing to contribute or solicit a further $1,500. 

STARR JDS charges a $375 registration fee per student. Families with multiple kids enrolled can enjoy discounts on their payments. The school runs a subsidy program under the Flexible Tuition Scholarship, allowing parents to save more while giving their kids an elite education. 

Parents seeking to withdraw their child from the school need to notify the school in writing. They may forfeit amounts deemed non-refundable in the contract, including registration fees and tuition deposits. STARR JDS holds two annual fundraisers to help finance education for low-income families within its community. 

International School of San Antonio

6739 Callaghan Rd, San Antonio, TX 78229

The San Antonio-based International School of San Antonio (ISSA) is an independent private institution that focuses on language immersion programs for preschool and elementary students. Specifically, its immersion programs cater to parents who seek to offer their little ones a competitive edge by exposing them early on to diverse languages such as French, Mandarin, and Spanish — each with adaptations intended to meet unique requirements.

Additionally, the school collaborates with San Antonio parks, museums, Alliance Française, and local Chinese organizations to develop age-appropriate activities to enrich the kid’s language learning process. 

International School of San Antonio charges $900 monthly to students attending preschool for half a day. Full-day kindergarten kids pay $1,350 per month, while lower elementary parents spend $1,500 per month. Parents can engage the school for extended care services that can add to the overall cost. 

The school has financial assistance programs for new and returning students. ISSA uses Blackbaud Financial Aid Management (BBFAM) to evaluate and receive recommendations for families in need of assistance.

Central Catholic High School – San Antonio

1403 N St Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78215

Central Catholic High School – San Antonio is a private, all-male, non-boarding college-prep school in the River North District of Downton, San Antonio. The school is under the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio. Founded in 1850, Central Catholic is one of the oldest high schools in Texas. 

The school charges $13,780 per student for the 2023-24 school year. The rate includes book rentals, retreats, yearbooks, and JROTC uniforms. However, parents can incur additional costs in cafeteria lunch, Advanced Placement (AP) test fees ($105 per course), dual-enrollment courses ($100 per class), and UT On Ramps Dual Credit at $248.

Central Catholic has a non-refundable $200 registration fee. Parents that opt for the one-time annual plan receive a 2% discount, paying $13,505. Other payment options include $6,890 bi-annual, $1,378 10-month, and $1,149 12-month plans.

Students at Central Catholic enjoy various financial assistance programs, including scholarships and need-based assistance. Families interested in tuition aid must apply through the FACTS Tuition Assistance & Scholarship online application portal.

The Winston School San Antonio

8565 Ewing Halsell Dr, San Antonio, TX 78229,

The Winston School San Antonio is an independent co-educational college preparatory school educating kids from kindergarten through 12th grade. The school has earned national recognition for its commitment to serving kids with learning differences, including but not limited to ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, visual and auditory processing disorders, and dyscalculia.

The school has a six-tier payment structure. The annual tuition cost for the 2023-24 school year is $20,644 for kids in kindergarten through fourth grade. Grades 5 and 6 kids will pay $20,903, 7 and 8 $21,310, and 9 and 10 $21,960. Parents with students in grade 11 will spend $22,064, while those with 12th-grade children will pay $23,812.

The school offers three payment plans:

• A one-time annual payment 
• A bi-annual plan 
• 10-month payment plan

The tuition includes books, materials, grades 5-12 outdoor education fees, accident insurance, and the Winston School Parents Association (WSPA) membership. Parents may have to pay for extracurricular sports, electives, and graduation fees. And 25% of students at Winston School San Antonio receive some tuition assistance, with families needing to reapply every year. 

TMI Episcopal

20955 Tejas Trl W, San Antonio, TX 78257

TMI Episcopal is a top-rated co-educational Episcopal college preparatory school for 6th through 12th-grade students. Founded in 1893, the school has a strong military tradition from its early identification as the Texas Military Institute. The school currently serves roughly 488 students on its 80-acre campus. 

TMI Episcopal is arguably the most expensive K-12 school in San Antonio, with tuition fees as high as $58,490 for high school boarding and international students. The lowest tuition tier is for middle school day scholars, who pay $26,312. High school students who attend day school pay roughly $29,477. 5-day boarders who live within 125 miles of San Antonio pay $53,330, while 7-day boarders pay $58,490. 

There may be additional costs, including a new student fee ($1,000), books and uniform ($750), morning shuttle ($800), and Panther Pride Community Fee ($100.) The school offers numerous merit scholarships and financial aid. 

St Mary’s University

1 Camino Santa Maria, San Antonio, TX 78228

St. Mary’s University is a private Catholic university in San Antonio founded by the Society of Mary (Marianists) in 1852. It is the oldest Catholic university in Texas. The school serves roughly 3,432 students in undergrad and graduate programs. 

The tuition fee breakdown on the school’s website is per semester and credit. The undergraduate tuition fee for the 2023-24 school year is $17,572 per semester or $1,086 per credit hour. Graduate and Ph.D. programs pay $1,099 per credit hour. 

Additional fees, including boarding, insurance, books, supplies, and transportation, can increase the sticker price to over $50,120. The school offers numerous financial aid programs, with the average need-based package being $24,271. 77% of enrolled full-time undergraduates received federal student aid in the Fall of 2020. 

Notable Alumni

This school may come with a hefty price tag, but there are advantages to that. For instance, many students who attended this institution went on to have successful careers. Let's take a look at a few of those names:

• John Quiñones, ABC News Correspondent
• John Cornyn, United States Senator
• Danny Heep, Former MLB Player

Culinary Institute of America San Antonio

312 Pearl Pkwy Building 2, Suite 2102, San Antonio, TX 78215

The Culinary Institute of America in San Antonio is a culinary school in the Pearl District that offers degrees in the arts of cooking, baking, or pastry. Students at the school increase their knowledge of Latin American cuisine and food traditions. 

According to the school website, the 2023-24 tuition structure includes a list price of $22,227 for first-year students for the first semester and $19,195 for the second semester. Sophomores may have spent more, with $22,595 for the first semester and $20,695 for the second semester. The fees are inclusive of boarding and other general fees. 

The school offers numerous financial assistance options, including scholarships, grants, work-study plans, and the Tuition Offset Program. The school also runs a veteran aid program for servicemen and women, their spouses, or defendants. Around 90% of the students who attend the school receive financial aid. 

Trinity University

One Trinity Place, San Antonio, TX 78212-7200

Trinity University is a private liberal arts university in San Antonio. The school offers over 100 majors and minors, six graduate programs, and two advising programs. It is home to roughly 2,703 students. 

The school is arguably the most expensive in San Antonio, with a tuition fee sticker price of $51,352 annually for undergrad students. Adding living expenses, books, and personal and transportation allowance brings the total cost to $68,224. 

Trinity offers a variety of financial resources to help reduce education costs, including grants, scholarships, work-study, and student loans. Students can work 8-10 hours per week in the school's work-training program or for select nonprofits off-campus.

Notable Alumni

With its high price tag and numerous programs, it's no wonder many of this school's alumni become successful. Here are a few of those individuals:

• Jaclyn Smith, Actress
• Daniel Lubetzky, CEO of Kind
• Michael McCaul, United States Representative

San Antonio Is Home to Some of the Nation’s Most Expensive Schools

San Antonio has a robust educational scene with numerous prestigious public and private schools. Parents often conduct deep research into different factors, such as academic prowess and extracurricular opportunities, before making a decision. 

Some families opt to take their children to private institutions that offer elite educational and networking opportunities. Luckily, a lack of finances shouldn’t hold you back from applying to the schools on this list, as most offer generous financial aid packages and flexible payment plans that make them affordable.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©iStock.com/Caiaimage/Chris Ryan.