 Print Page Frequently Asked Questions
When and why was St. Mark's Episcopal School founded?
The School was founded in 1979 by St. Mark’s Episcopal Church as a program of Christian outreach. The clergy and parishioners believed that offering a preschool program which emphasized a loving and nurturing Christian foundation was important. As a result, the mission of the School was developed: “to provide an academically enriched program in a nurturing Christian environment.” Over the years the School has evolved and now is made up of students from grades PK3 through eight. The enrollment at capacity is 553 students.
Who owns St. Mark’s School?
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church owns the School. The ultimate control and legal responsibility for the operation of both the Church and the School rests with the Rector, Wardens, and Vestry of the Church. The Vestry charges the School Advisory Board with the responsibility of establishing policies for the School. These policies and beliefs are reinforced by the clergy, administration, faculty, staff, parents, and students.
Does the Church subsidize the School?
No, the School budget is separate from the Church budget. The Church and School share the expenses of the facility.
Is St. Mark’s School accredited?
Yes, St. Mark’s is accredited by the following professional educational associations that evaluate and accredit independent schools throughout Florida in order to establish and maintain high standards for non-public schools:
- Florida Council of Independent Schools
- Florida Kindergarten Council
The School is a member of the National Association of Episcopal Schools and the National Association of Independent Schools.
What are the qualifications of the teachers?
All teachers have, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree and a Florida teaching certificate or qualify as candidates for Florida certification.
What safety measures are in place?
The School is committed to providing a safe, secure environment for all students, staff and visitors. To this end, the School has created a detailed security plan that includes several key initiatives:
Camera surveillance
Campus security system
Safe drop-off and pick-up
Rules for on-campus activities
Comprehensive emergency procedures
Cooperation of local law enforcement
What is the student/teacher ratio?
PK3 half day and full day – approximately 14-16 students/1 teacher/1 teacher assistant
PK4 half day and full day – approximately 18-20 students/ 1 teacher/1 teacher assistant
K-1st grade - approximately 20 students/1 teacher/1 teacher assistant
2nd-5th grade – approximately 20 students/1 teacher/1 teacher assistant for each grade level
6th-8th grade – approximately 25 students/1 teacher assistant for all grades
What are the School hours?
PK3 and PK4 half day-5 days: 8:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
PK3 full day - 5th grade: 8:15 a.m.-2:45 p.m.
6th-8th grade: 8:20 a.m.-3:15 p.m.
Does the School offer bus service?
No, parents are responsible for transportation arrangements. The School will publish names of families interested in forming carpools.
Is extended care available?
Yes, Morning Care is available from 7:15 a.m. and Afternoon Care for full day students until 4:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. for an additional charge.
Is there an additional fee for textbooks?
No, textbooks are included in tuition.
Are there fees in addition to tuition?
Yes, the cost of uniforms, lunches, and class trips (4th-8th grade) are the responsibility of the parent.
Where are uniforms purchased?
Is there a cafeteria?
No, students may bring their lunch from home or order special lunches from outside restaurants that are served each day of the week – Sal’s Pizza, Tropical Smoothie, Chick-fil-A, Moe's Southwest Grill, and C.R. Chicks. Parents purchase lunches for an entire semester with the profits benefiting the Parents’ Association or specific grade levels. Parent volunteers are needed to assist with each special lunch. Lunch is eaten in the screened pavilion (K-8th).
Does St. Mark’s allow parent participation in school life?
Yes, parents are encouraged to serve as volunteers in the School. St. Mark’s has a very active Parents’ Association that provides many services to the School. Volunteer opportunities are available for the annual auction event, Book Fair, special lunches, Fall Festival, Fine Arts Week, special sales, media center, class musical productions, Kindergarten Grandparent/Special Friend Day, class projects, Colonial Day/International Day, room parent, and parent ambassador to name a few.
Are there field trips?
Yes, field trips to local areas of interest are scheduled throughout the year to enhance the curriculum. The costs of local field trips are included in tuition.
Do students take a standardized test each year?
Yes, students in kindergarten through 2nd grade take the Stanford Achievement Test, Tenth Edition, and students in 3rd through 8th grade take the CTP-4 (ERB) each spring. PK4 students are administered the DIAL-3 (Developmental Indicators for the Assessment of Learning - Third Edition).
How do students cross Gardens East Drive to the athletic field for physical education class?
Students are transported on the St. Mark’s bus. The physical education teachers find this to be the safest and most efficient way to transport students.
How is Christian education treated at St. Mark’s?
Students in 1st-8th grade participate in a weekly chapel service, as well as a weekly celebration of the Eucharist (Holy Communion) led by the School Chaplain. Receiving communion is optional. Kindergarten participates in chapel each week and Eucharist or Christian Education on a rotating cycle. Christian education is taught weekly in the classroom by the Chaplain in 1st-5th grade. In middle school the students study world religions in 6th grade, the Old Testament in 7th grade, and the New Testament in 8th grade. PK3 and PK4 students attend their own chapel service each week led by the Chaplain. Basic Christian values are emphasized in all aspects of Christian education.
Does St. Mark’s have a library?
Yes, the Library Media Center is the location of the book collection for all grade levels, a computer lab, and a television production studio. Classes attend a scheduled library visit each week. Students may also come at any time to exchange books, engage in research, or take an Accelerated Reader test (see next question). The TV Production Studio, located in the library, is the location of morning announcements that are broadcast into the classrooms via closed circuit television each day.
What is Accelerated Reader?
Accelerated Reader is a computer based supplemental reading program for students in 1st-8th grade that is designed to encourage independent reading and improve comprehension. Students take a reading placement test to determine their reading level. After reading a book on their level, students take comprehension tests on the computer where their score is given immediately. With each test passed, the points earned allow students an opportunity to participate in various incentives.
Are computers available in each classroom?
Yes. In kindergarten through 5th grades, there are five computers per classroom; in 6th through 8th grade, there are two computers per classroom. A mobile laptop lab is located in each grade level for 4th through 8th grades.
Does the School have a computer lab?
Yes. The lab contains 26 computers and is located in the Media Center. Students in PK4 through 8th grades visit the lab once per week for computer instruction.
Are all computers networked?
Yes. The buildings and all computers are connected via a high-speed, fiber optic backbone.
Do students have access to the Internet on all school computers?
Yes. All students have access to the internet via our high-speed T-1 connection. The acclaimed SurfControl filtering software is used to block inappropriate content from reaching the school's network. The Technology Coordinator, the computer teacher, and the classroom teachers closely monitor all student computer use. All students, parents and staff members must sign an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) at the beginning of each school year.
What additional technology is available?
5 wireless mobile laptop labs
Ceiling-mounted LCD projectors in all classrooms (K-8th)
Wireless microphones with ceiling-mounted speakers (K-8th)
Technology desk that houses the teacher’s computer, a document camera, a printer and connections for electronic peripherals, including microscope, interactive writing pad and flash memory key
Televisions and VCR/DVD players in all classrooms
Comprehensive instructional software featuring Microsoft Office Professional
Online subscriptions to "safe" search engines, streaming video applications and reference databases
Television studio featuring closed-circuit classroom broadcasts
Video editing/DVD production workstation
How is information communicated to parents and students?
MY ST. MARK’S - a web site for school families which contains frequently updated information about the School, including documents, news, photos, calendars and informative, interactive applications.
THE LIONSHARE - a weekly newsletter available on the “My St. Mark’s” web site each Friday. It is an informative planner featuring a calendar and descriptions of upcoming school and church events.
EDLINE - a secure web site for reporting class information (PK3-8th grade) and homework and weekly grade reports (4th-8th grades).
EMAIL - Parents receive periodic emails from St. Mark's to convey important information or breaking news about the School.
Does the School have a Student/Parent Handbook?
Yes, each family is given a Student/Parent Handbook with the May Information Packet. The handbook contains the following: general information about the School, general policies, academics, and code of behavior.
Where do students apply for high school after graduating from St. Mark’s?
St. Mark’s hosts a High School Night each fall for the following area private and public high schools to present their programs to the middle school students and parents: Cardinal Newman; The Benjamin School; The King’s Academy; Jupiter Christian School; St. Andrew’s School; The Pine School; and the magnet programs at Suncoast High School, Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Palm Beach Gardens High School , W. T. Dwyer High School, and Jupiter High School.
Can high school credit be obtained for any classes at St. Mark’s?
Yes, those students who qualify for and successfully complete Spanish I or French I, Algebra I or Algebra I Honors, and Geometry Honors will earn high school credit. Geometry Honors is offered for those students who qualify to begin Pre-Algebra in 6th grade.
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