Mission
Blessed Sacrament Academy walks alongside children, youth, and families as they work toward stability, confidence, and long-term success. Through education, support, and a caring community, we help each person recognize their potential and take the next step toward a stronger future.
We stand with families who feel overwhelmed, discouraged, or out of options. Our work is grounded in the belief that every child and every teen deserves a path forward — and that our community grows stronger when we provide opportunities, guidance, and hope to those who need it most.
History
Blessed Sacrament Academy began in 1926 as an all-girls high school founded by the Sisters of the Incarnate Word. As the needs of the San Antonio community evolved, so did we.
In 1989, we opened our Child Development Center to provide infants through pre-K children with safe, nurturing early education. One year later, we launched an alternative high school program to support teens who needed a second chance at earning their diploma.
In 1996, the high school received its charter from the Texas State Board of Education and became its own nonprofit, later renamed Por Vida in 2001.
Today, both programs continue the Academy’s long-standing commitment to meeting real needs with compassion, adaptability, and a belief that every child and every family deserves the opportunity to thrive.
The Missionettes
Young women of Blessed Sacrament Academy stand proudly in front of the original convent building that once served as both home and classroom. At the time, BSA was an all-girls academy rooted deeply in the community.
More than a posed photo, this moment reflects belonging, sisterhood, and the vibrant spirit that shaped the academy long before its 1947 expansion.
Graduation Day, Circa 1961
Students celebrate graduation at Blessed Sacrament Academy in 1961. Commencement marked not only the completion of their academic journey, but the beginning of a lifelong connection to an institution now approaching 100 years of service to the community.
Flashback to the 1930s
A generation of students once filled these halls, walking the same brick paths that remain today. From the beginning, the heart of Blessed Sacrament Academy has been its students—then, now, and always.
From Bricks and Mortar to Bright Futures
Blessed Sacrament Academy first opened its doors in 1926 as an all-girls academy on San Antonio’s South Side. Our classrooms were filled with young women eager to learn, grow, and lead.
As the city changed, so did we—expanding into early childhood education, alternative high school programs, and more. Each era brought new challenges and opportunities, but one thing has remained constant: our mission to nurture every child’s mind, heart, and spirit.
Nearly a century later, our story is more than history—it’s the foundation for all we continue to build today.
