Valor San Antonio is a free, classical education charter school inviting students into the fullest life possible: one directed by wisdom, animated by wonder, and anchored in friendship. Within a school culture of joy, respect, and deep engagement, Valor cultivates your child’s whole person and develops their wisdom and virtue so they can become fully alive and truly free. Teachers value the students’ whole person and guide them into deep discussion of the Great Books, enjoyment of the fine arts, and mastery of advanced math and science. Students can enroll for the current school year (2024–25) in grade levels where spots are available by filling out an enrollment application. For 2025–26, Valor’s open enrollment period runs from October 1, 2024 to January 27, 2025. We have put together a guide to help you learn more about Valor San Antonio and take steps to enroll your child.
About Valor Education
Valor Education is a classical charter school network in central Texas founded in 2016 to promote a broad, deep, and authentic educational vision—one that recognizes and nourishes the human desire for wisdom, virtue, friendship, and community. During their time at Valor, students memorize poetry, read and discuss the classics, participate in nature studies, learn Latin, serve in their community, care for plants and animals, and participate in extracurricular clubs and competitive athletics.
In 2023–24, Valor’s five schools served over 2,700 students. In an age of distraction and disconnection, Valor cultivates an atmosphere of attentiveness and warmth that inspires each person to be fully present and deeply engaged.
For a glimpse into daily life at Valor, please watch Made for Wonder, a short film about how Wonder invites discovery, develops in community, and draws us to what is good, beautiful, and true.
For more information about Valor Education, we recommend you read the news stories linked at the bottom of this post. Also, we invite you to join the San Antonio Charter Moms discussion group on Facebook and ask questions; the group includes current Valor San Antonio families who can comment with answers about their own experiences.
Valor Education in San Antonio
Valor San Antonio is located at 4300 Centerview Dr., San Antonio, TX 78228 (map). They will serve students in grades K–10 in 2025–26, expanding one grade level per year to serve grades K–12. The phone number is 210-903-0383. Valor San Antonio is too new to have a campus report card yet, but on its most recent (2022) district report card, based on the performance of its four Austin-area campuses, Valor Education earned an A rating.
You can find campus information about Valor Education (and many other schools of choice) on our page Guide to Charter Schools in San Antonio, including an interactive map.
Enroll at Valor San Antonio
Families can apply online to enroll their children at Valor. Limited seats are still available for the 2024–25 school year. For families applying for the 2025–26 school year, open enrollment will begin on October 1, 2024. Applications received on or before January 27, 2025 will be included in the lottery on January 28, 2025. The students who are selected will receive an email inviting them to register, while the other students will be placed on the waitlist. As soon as a spot becomes available, the next student will be notified. Valor San Antonio will continue to enroll students after the lottery as long as space is available.
Valor’s website has a list of enrollment FAQs. Families can use the contact form on Valor’s website to join the interest list. They can also email info.sanantonio@valoreducation.org or call 210-903-0383 to contact a staff member—they are eager to speak with prospective families and welcome your questions.
We recommend following these Valor accounts on social media:
- Valor San Antonio on Facebook and Instagram
- Valor Education on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn
To sign up for a campus tour, visit Valor Education on Eventbrite. Campus tours and parent information nights are great opportunities to learn more about Valor San Antonio and meet with leadership.
Valor San Antonio will host a free Fall Fest open to the community on November 15, 2024 starting at 4:00 PM. Parents and caregivers can bring the whole family to join for activities such as a pie-eating contest, bouncy house, face painting, and game booths like Plinko, ring toss, and fishing (with a chance to win a live goldfish), plus treats like cotton candy and popcorn. Visit their Facebook event to learn more and RSVP.
In addition, please join the San Antonio Charter Moms discussion group on Facebook to post questions and search previous discussions about Valor. The group includes families who currently have students enrolled at Valor San Antonio and can help answer your questions.
Facts About Valor Education
Valor’s motto, sapientia per admirationem, or wisdom through wonder, points to the fundamental task of awakening wonder and love of truth, goodness, and beauty in every student. Valor San Antonio offers a robust student life experience. During the past school year (2023–24), Valor San Antonio hosted a variety of community events, including a Fall Festival, Fiesta Family Fun Night, Grandparent Gardening Day, Classical Literary Parade, Curricular Celebrations, Winter and Spring Concerts, Student Art Gallery, and field trips.
Please watch Why Kids Love Valor, a short film of unscripted comments by young students.
This year, Valor San Antonio’s inaugural freshman class will embark on their first Wilderness Expedition to Utah. In the backcountry, free from the distractions often present in our contemporary life, students awaken to a deepened sense of wonder for the natural world.
Through Valor’s Human Encounter program, students spend meaningful time with senior members of our community, people with disabilities, and economically disadvantaged individuals in their community. Extracurricular clubs at Valor San Antonio include art, strings, drama, robotics, chess, Latin, science, gardening, and personal fitness.
Charter Moms Chats
Watch Dr. Mark Discher, Headmaster at Valor San Antonio, and Randi Haldenwang, Assistant Headmaster of Lower School at Valor San Antonio, speak with Inga Cotton on Charter Moms Chats on September 17, 2024 at 4:00 PM Central live on Facebook and YouTube.
Dr. Mark Discher has been in the field of education for over thirty years. He received a B.A. from Wheaton College, an M.Div. from Fuller Seminary, an S.T.M. from Yale University, and his doctorate from Oxford University. He and his wife have three school-aged children. Dr. Discher has taught at colleges and universities across the country, including Ottawa University, University of St. Thomas, Benedictine College, and the College of St. Mary Magdalen. An entrepreneur, Dr. Discher operated a trucking company in his home state of Illinois for nearly a decade. Recently, he pioneered two classical charter schools in the Phoenix area. Aside from teaching, reading, and writing, Dr. Discher enjoys music and building model railroads with his sons.
Randi Haldenwang is the Assistant Headmaster of Lower School at Valor San Antonio. Ms. Haldenwang is a certified elementary and ESL educator. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Read More About Valor Education
- “Classical Education Learning Models at San Antonio Schools,” San Antonio Charter Moms, August 13, 2024
- “John Fowler Teaches Latin at Valor San Antonio,” John Fowler, San Antonio Charter Moms, April 24, 2024
- “Charter Moms Chats — Valor San Antonio, With Mark Discher And Erin Fonner,” YouTube, September 7, 2023
- “Valor Education to open first San Antonio school Aug. 16,” Edmond Ortiz, Community Impact, August 14, 2023
- “Valor Education,” San Antonio Living, March 23, 2023
- “Valor Education opening classical school in North San Antonio,” Edmond Ortiz, Community Impact, January 30, 2023
- “Charter Moms Chats — Valor Education, With Mark Discher, Stephen Gordon, And Erin Fonner,” YouTube, October 20, 2022
