Peacock Military Academy was a private military school for boys located in San Antonio, Texas. Founded in 1894 by Wesley Peacock Sr., the institution operated continuously until its closure in 1973. It was recognized by the United States War Department as a "Distinguished Military School" and held a junior ROTC affiliation.
History Wesley Peacock Sr. established the school as Peacock's School for Boys in 1894. In 1900, it was chartered by the state of Texas as Peacock Military Academy. The campus was situated on a 30-acre tract in the Woodlawn Lake area of San Antonio.
The academy served as a training center for the Student Army Training Corps (SATC) during World War I. During World War II, it was designated as a training site for the Army Administration School. The school maintained a standard academic curriculum alongside military science, drill, and physical training.
Operations and Curriculum The academy accepted boarding and day students from elementary grades through high school (and briefly a junior college division). The military structure was central to student life, emphasizing discipline, leadership, and character development. Cadets wore uniforms, participated in daily drills, and were organized into a battalion structure.
Closure and Legacy Declining enrollment and rising operational costs led to the decision to close the academy in May 1973. The property was subsequently sold to the Salvation Army. The Peacock Military Academy alumni association remains active, preserving the history of the institution and its approximately 15,000 graduates.
Notable Alumni
- King Paul of Greece (attended briefly in the 1920s)
- General William P. Yarborough (U.S. Army, "Father of the Modern Green Berets")
- Major General Edward L. Rowny (U.S. Army, negotiator in arms reduction talks)
- Tom Slick (inventor, businessman, philanthropist)
