Excellence on the Court, Success in the Classroom
Smith Stearns Tennis Academy is one of the only academies in the world affiliated with a top-rated academic school—Hilton Head Preparatory School—offering student-athletes the ultimate balance of elite training and outstanding education, all within the world-renowned Sea Pines Resort.
Why Choose Smith Stearns & Hilton Head Prep?
Our unique partnership allows for a structured schedule that optimizes both training and academics.
✔ Elite Training Schedule: Students train twice daily with world-class coaches while attending a traditional school program tailored to their academic goals.
✔ Top-Tier Education: Hilton Head Prep provides a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum, ensuring student-athletes excel on and off the court.
✔ All-Around Development: We focus on developing the complete student-athlete—helping them succeed on the court, in the classroom, and as well-rounded individuals prepared for life beyond sports.
✔ College Pathway Success: Our student-athletes go on to play at top universities, leveraging both their tennis skills and academic achievements.
At Smith Stearns, we develop champions in sport and in life. Experience the only program that truly integrates premier tennis development with outstanding academics—because you shouldn’t have to choose between your future on the court and your future beyond it.
About Hilton Head Prep
Hilton Head Preparatory School is an independent day school that enrolls over 575 students from ages 15 months through Grade 12 and is accredited by SAIS. Offering a unique program of academic and co-curricular activities, Hilton Head Preparatory School challenges each individual to reach his or her highest potential. Learning and character are nurtured through a college preparatory curriculum that integrates the liberal arts and sciences, technology, and ethical values. A strong emphasis is placed on personal character, integrity, and responsibility.
Hilton Head Preparatory School offers a rigorous curriculum designed to prepare students for the most selective colleges. With flexible attendance requirements to accommodate varying training and travel schedules, as well as personalized daily schedules tailored to each student’s unique training needs, Prep ensures that athletes receive a top-tier education while pursuing their passions. The school specializes in creating customized programs for students with athletic, artistic, and academic aspirations, allowing them to thrive both in the classroom and beyond.
Website: www.hhprep.org
Director of Admissions: Sarah Demaria
Phone: (843) 671-2289
Email: sdemaria@hhprep.org
A Day in the Life
Full-Time Academy All Day Program Schedule
(August 11, 2025 thru May 22, 2026)
Tennis Academy
Monday – Friday 8:00 – 10:00 am & 2:30 – 5:15 pm
Saturday 8:00 am -10:00 am
Hilton Head Prep
Monday – Friday – 10:15 am -1:10 pm|
(Includes 4 traditional courses and 1 online course)
Strength Training Program
Monday & Wednesday 5:30-6:30 pm
Intense On and Off Court Fitness Training
4:30 – 5:30 pm daily during academy
Injury Prevention and Deep Stretch
Thursday 4:30-5:30 pm
All program costs are detailed below and in the tuition and fees section of our website.
Our combination of on and off court programs and experiences makes Smith Stearns one of the nation’s best tennis academies.
About Smith Stearns
At Smith Stearns Tennis Academy, we’re proud to prepare athletes for the highest level of competition possible in both collegiate and professional tennis through our full-time academy. Our track record speaks for itself, as we’ve developed hundreds of state, sectional, national, and international junior tennis champions, as well as having the best college placement program in the country. Students join us from all around the world to be trained by our top notch coaches and to be a part of our elite junior tennis academy experience on beautiful Hilton Head Island at The Sea Pines Resort.
Where Leadership Drives Success
The leadership at Smith Stearns is unparalleled in the world of junior tennis. With Stan Smith, a tennis legend renowned for his sportsmanship, legacy, and achievements as a former Wimbledon and U.S. Open Champion and world number-one player, alongside B.J. Stearns, our acclaimed Academy Director and one of the nation’s top coaches with 18 National titles to his name, our athletes benefit from a level of expertise and experience that is unmatched. Their shared passion for tennis and commitment to player development fosters a uniquely inspiring environment. The guidance and mentorship they offer, both on and off the court, sets Smith Stearns apart—this level of leadership and dedication is something you won’t find anywhere else.
