St. Mark’s School
Overview
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Age Quod Agis: Whatever you do, do it well. St. Mark’s School motto has guided our community for more than 140 years. Founded in 1865 as an intentionally small residential community, the School challenges its students to develop their particular analytic and creative capabilities by both inspiring their academic and spiritual curiousity and kindling their passion for discovery. Small seminar-style classes, a challenging curriculum and strong connections that students and faculty make in our classrooms are distinctive features of our academic program. Our community strives to maintain diversity amongst its students and faculty as refelected by their backgrounds and interests. Affiliated with the Episcopal Church and rooted in that tradition, St. Mark's embraces the rich diversity of the many faiths and nationalities of our students, faculty and staff. Our close proximity to Boston allows us to take advantage of rich cultural offerings. St. Mark's graduates leave with superior academic knowledge and confidence in their personal worth, strengthened and informed by a heightened sense of purpose, integrity, and citizenship. We value cooperation over self-interest, and we encourage each person to explore his or her place in the larger world beyond our campus.
Academics
Summary: The curriculum and requirements at St. Mark’s present students with many choices, as the school seeks to provide a broad, balanced curriculum with the opportunity for students to pursue their academic interests to the highest levels. We take time to be certain that all students are introduced to the skills necessary to be successful in courses like Third Form Seminar and then encourage them to build on those skills and pursue work at advanced levels in all disciplines. The school’s greatest academic resource is the people who participate in the academic program, including the teachers, students, and support staff. Classes are small, with an average class size of 10. Many classes are taught around a discussion table, and while teachers lead the sessions, students usually direct them. At the advanced levels, the school offers Advanced Placement courses in almost every discipline for a total of more than 20 courses. Many students go beyond the AP level for advanced work in small classes or independent studies with interested faculty members. Every year, the English Department introduces new sixth-form electives based on faculty interests. In recent years, offerings have included Shakespeare, Representations of the Civil War, Chaucer, and Detective Novels. In the sciences, students are encouraged to develop a basic literacy in the core sciences (physics, chemistry, and biology), but the school offers opportunities for advanced work in all areas and encourages independent research through courses like Introductory DNA Science. In the arts, students are encouraged to develop existing interests and to explore their talents in new ways. The department offers advanced courses in drama, ceramics, studio art, and music, as well as art history.
Department Director Nathaniel Waters
Student/Teacher Ratio: 5:1
Average Class Size: 12
Summer Programs: Offered
Full Time Teachers: 78
Number of AP Courses Offered: 0
Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 85%
Number of IB Courses Offered: 0