SMA Presidents Shares Message In Latest Academy Update

Staff Reports

San Marcos Academy released an update following Governor Greg Abbott’s latest executive order, which extended school closures until May 4.

The order was issued on March 31 and requires Texans to continue limiting personal interactions while allowing essential services and activities through April 30.

SMA said in compliance with this order, the academy will continue to follow their Academic Distance Learning Plan through Friday, May 1; the campus will remain closed to visitors during this time.

Included in the update was the following video message from SMA President Brian N. Guenther.

Important Testing Updates from the Guidance Counselor’s Office:

• Students taking AP classes or considering taking an AP exam: please view this information on AP Testing: Advanced Placement (AP) Testing

• SAT/ACT Updates: The May 2 SAT has been canceled by College Board. College Board is currently still planning to offer the June 13 test nationwide. SMA may offer an ACT test in June or July; we will post an update when available.

• Texas Success Initiative (TSI) assessment: Students wishing to take dual credit classes for the 2020-21 school year must take the TSI. The test originally scheduled for administration at SMA in April has been postponed until Summer 2020. Mrs. Nash will email students when the testing dates have been set. Students who cannot arrange to take the test during the summer may take the test once school begins in August.

• Comprehensive Testing Program (CTP): The CTP test that was scheduled for students in grades 1-8 to be taken in April has been canceled for the 2019-20 school year. CTP Testing will resume next school year for students in grades 1-8.

• For any questions about these testing updates, contact Mrs. Teri Nash at nasht@smabears.org or 512-753-8016.

Below are copies of the school’s distance learning initiative, a copy of Guenther’s letter and a letter from Associate Academic Dean Steven McCray.