Mater Academy San Antonio is a proposed K-12 tuition-free charter school that is projected to open in August 2025 as the newest campus in the high performing Mater Academy network. In the meantime, families have the opportunity to learn more about Mater Academy, sign up for updates on the interest list, and support the progress of Mater Academy through the Texas charter school application process.
About Mater Academy
Mater Academy San Antonio is projected to open on the North East Side of the San Antonio metro area, serving families in these school districts: East Central ISD, Judson ISD, Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD, Comal ISD, North East ISD, New Braunfels ISD, Seguin ISD, Gonzales ISD, Navarro ISD, Marion ISD, San Marcos ISD, Luling ISD, and Lockhart ISD.
Starting in the 2025–26 school year, Mater Academy would begin by serving students in grades K–6, with plans to add a 9th grade class a year later. An additional grade level in the middle and high school will open every year until the school serves students in grade levels K–12.
Student-Focused
Mater Academy San Antonio will meet the needs of all learners. From an early age, students will be exposed to the concept of career exploration and the importance of pursuing a college career. Students will not just be asked if they are going to college, but where. Students throughout their academic journey will have the ability to explore different paths, including bio-medicine, law, and education, to help them find their best career path. At Mater Academy San Antonio, students will not be just a number—their names will be known by all of the staff, including the principal. This helps build a strong and safe learning community for every student.
Mater Academy Programs
The elementary school curriculum (K–5) concentrates on mastering core academic areas—language arts, reading, math, science, and social studies. Students will engage in the materials through various hands-on learning activities in the classroom. Additionally, all students will participate in a Spanish language program beginning in kindergarten.
The middle school curriculum (6–8) is a rigorous and relevant curriculum to help keep engaged. In addition, students are offered advanced, honors, and high school courses for acceleration. Aside from taking courses on the core subjects, students are encouraged to participate in clubs and other enrichment activities such as sports teams, art, band, choir, theatre, and robotics, amongst others.
The high school curriculum (9–12) adds an additional component where students receive the option of preparing for college through advanced/accelerated courses in a career-focused academy. The three career-focused academies are Biomedical, Law, and Education. In addition, the distinguished graduation program guarantees that students graduate at a high graduation rate and successfully follow the path best for them.
Mater Academy Network
Mater Academy operates over 40 charter schools in Florida and Nevada in the United States, and internationally in Italy. With the opening of Mater Academy San Antonio, Mater Academy will have a presence in Texas, and the network will cover three states in the United States. Mater Academy schools have a proven record of success, with a 95 percent graduation rate, five National Blue Ribbon awards, and 30 Cognia STEM accredited schools; also, Mater Academy high schools appear in national high school rankings.
Keep in Touch with Mater Academy
Families can stay informed about Mater Academy by joining the interest list. Also, families can follow Mater Academy on social media at Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter).
This fall, families can attend virtual information sessions about Mater Academy San Antonio.
- Community Information Session on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 6:00 PM
- Community Information Session on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at 6:00 PM
There will be opportunities to show support for Mater Academy, such as by writing letters and attending State Board of Education meetings, as they progress through the Texas charter school application process.
Charter Moms Chats
Watch Bonnie Salas, Board Chair of Mater Academy San Antonio, as well as Daniel Diaz, Shannine Sadesky, and Courtney Oliver, who are part of the Mater Academy San Antonio application team, speak with Inga Cotton on Charter Moms Chats on August 24, 2023 at 4:00 PM Central live on Facebook and YouTube.
Bonnie Salas is the Board Chair of Mater Academy San Antonio. Bonnie is a native of San Antonio, who lives and works in the Southside. She is a well-respected leader who infuses parent, teacher, and community stakeholder contributions to increase student success. She currently serves as school leader at a local K–12 charter school, with over 15 years’ experience as an educator, as well as a parent of a Charter School student . In addition to serving students of San Antonio, Bonnie also is on the Board of Directors South Texas Business Partnership and is Co-Chair of LEAD South, South Texas Business Partnership.
Shannine Sadesky is part of the Mater Academy San Antonio application team. Ms. Sadesky represents Mater Academy, Inc. as a long-time governing board member. Ms. Sadesky is a highly experienced and accomplished charter school educator and administrator. Shannine has been recognized as a Member of Golden Key National Honor Society, a Broward Education Foundation Science Grant Recipient and she received an Award from the Annenberg Challenge Grant Project Steering Committee for Outstanding Leadership.
Daniel Diaz is the Director of Community Relations for Academica.
Courtney Oliver is an academic specialist in San Antonio and is part of the application team for Mater Academy San Antonio.
Read More About Mater Academy
- “Charter Moms Chats — Mater Academy San Antonio, With Bonnie Salas, Shannine Sadesky, And Daniel Diaz,” YouTube, October 19, 2022
- “Charter school coming to Liberty Square housing project,” Johania Charles, Miami Times, March 8, 2022
