Frequently Asked Questions

St. Mark’s is accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools. These professional educational associations evaluate and accredit independent schools throughout Florida in order to establish and maintain high standards for non-public schools. The School is a member of the National Association of Episcopal Schools and the National Association of Independent Schools.

Independent schools have distinct missions and are primarily supported by tuition and charitable contributions, not by church or tax funds. As an independent school St. Mark’s meets high FCIS accreditation standards and is also held accountable by its School Advisory Board.

Enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year is 452 students: 102 students in the PK2-PK4; 282 in the lower school; 68 enrolled in the middle school.

We are looking for students from all backgrounds who can benefit from and contribute to our challenging academic program.

Parent interview are a chance for the Director of Enrollment to get to know parents and prospective students. It is also a perfect way for both parties to get the information needed to make a decision on whether or not St. Mark's is a good fit.

The admission interview isn't just a chance for the school to evaluate you; it's also an opportunity for you to evaluate the school and make sure that it is the right fit for your family. This is why it is critical to come to the interview with questions of your own, so that you may make the best possible decision about your child's future.

St. Mark’s Episcopal School requires all applicants entering grades 3 through 8 to take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE).

ISEE test options include on-campus paper, at home online, or at a Prometric Testing Center.

On-campus paper testing is scheduled twice a year at St. Mark’s

How to register for the on-campus paper assessment:

•  To create an account, please visit ISEE. 
• The registration deadline for the January 13, 2024, assessment 12/23/23.
• The school code is 102056.
• The event code for the December 9, 2023, assessment is CKJ4U6QW.
• The event code for the January 13, 2024, assessment is JXR5MCLV.

Entering grades 3 and 4:

• Arrive on-campus for check in at 8:00 a.m.
• Evaluation begins on-campus promptly at 8:30 a.m.
• The evaluation will be paper testing
• Total test time will be 60 minutes with one 5 to 10 minute break
• Pick up at 9:30 a.m.

Entering grades 5 through 8: 

• Arrive on-campus for check in at 8:00 a.m.
• Evaluation begins on-campus promptly at 8:30 a.m.
• The evaluation will be paper testing
• Total test time will be 2 hours, 20 minutes with two 5 to 10 minute breaks
• Pick up at 11:00 a.m.

If you think you may qualify for a testing fee waiver, please contact the Enrollment Office at 561.622.1504.
 

We offer both youthful enthusiasm and veteran wisdom within our faculty. The St. Mark’s faculty has been recruited throughout the country. They are a dedicated group of diverse professionals, bonded in their commitment to St. Mark’s mission. St. Mark’s teachers are constantly seeking to better the classroom experience so that students can advance in their learning. The administration supports faculty participation in conferences, workshops and graduate courses. Notable to St. Mark’s is how the faculty cares enough to remain available after school to tutor or counsel any student seeking help.

The safety of our children is a top priority at St. Mark’s. Law enforcement coordinated with our architects to develop a fully enclosed master campus plan with gates that are locked immediately following drop off each morning. The multi-layered approach to security continues with the Raptor system that conducts a background check on visitors, locked classroom doors, silent alarms on campus, and multiple security cameras connected to display monitors. Two armed tactical officers join our Chief of Security to enhance our surveillance and presence on the perimeter of campus. St. Mark’s security personnel team is highly trained in police and protection tactics and patrols the campus daily from 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. We are community committed to being vigilant, watchful, and wise, so our students and their families feel safe.

Parents are responsible for transportation arrangements. The school will assist families interested in forming carpools.

Morning care is available from 7:15am on and afternoon care for full-day students until 6pm for an additional charge.

Textbooks are included in tuition. The cost of uniforms, lunches, and class trips (4th-8th) are the responsibility of the parent.

Yes. A nutritious lunch is important to keep our students active and engaged throughout their busy school day. Wholesome, in-house meals, prepared daily in Coleman Hall’s restaurant-grade kitchen, support student wellness and healthy living. Students select an entree option, as well as a vegetable or fruit side dish. Parents make online payments to fund students’ accounts and have the ability to track transactions online.

Uniforms are available at Harris Uniform Shop in West Palm Beach and online through Lands’ End.

Our valued parent partners are an integral part of our community. Parents are on campus every day meeting with teachers or attending performances and special events. St. Mark's has an active Parents' Association that encourages parents to volunteer their time and talent. Whether high commitment or low profile, volunteer opportunities abound and include, but are not limited to, the following: the auction event, book fair, teacher appreciation week, special sales, class musical productions, class projects, Middle School Parent Committee, room parents, and parent ambassadors. St. Mark’s thrives and continues to grow through the commitment, dedication and involvement of parents who are devoted to social, educational, and fundraising programs and events.

Off campus, co-curricular experiences are part of the St. Mark’s tradition. Starting with kindergarten’s spring trip to the West Palm Beach Zoo and culminating with the 7th grade Sea Camp adventure in the Florida Keys and the 8th graders’ Washington DC immersion, field trips at St. Mark’s enhance our academic program and build lifelong memories.

Students in kindergarten through 2nd grade are assessed quarterly using the NWEA MAP Growth assessment. Students in 3rd through 8th grade take the CTP 5 (ERB) each year. These tests are one of the ways that we assess the strength of our curriculum and gauge the achievement and progress of individual students. The ERB scores are reported to parents with two different types of information: a child’s performance on the test when compared to norm groups and a child’s performance in individual content categories. Teachers and administrators review each student’s individual results both within a single year and over multiple years to assess progress and are available to confer with parents to discuss results.

The Episcopalian education tradition is one of commitment to and balance of mind and spirit. As a faith based school, St. Mark’s provides opportunities for spiritual growth. Through our chapel program and church services, we endeavor to help children become aware of the world beyond them. We stress Christ’s two great commandments – love of God and love of neighbor. We welcome students of all faiths and traditions.

Christian Education is taught weekly in PK2. PK3 and PK4 students attend their own chapel service each week. Kindergarten students participate in chapel weekly and Eucharist or Christian education on a rotating cycle. Students in 1st through 8th grades participate in a weekly chapel service, as well as a weekly celebration of the Eucharist. Receiving communion is optional. Christian education is taught weekly in the classroom in first through fifth grade. In middle school, the students study world religions in 6th grade, the Bible in 7th grade, and ethics in 8th grade. Basic Christian values are emphasized in all aspects of Christian education.

The students of St. Mark’s Class of 2023 will attend the following high schools: American Heritage; The Benjamin School; Cardinal Newman High School; Dreyfoos School of the Arts; Jupiter Christian School; Jupiter Community High School; The King’s Academy; Saint Andrew’s School; Oxbridge Academy; The Pine School; Palm Beach Gardens High School; South Fork High School; Suncoast Community High School; Wellington High School; William T. Dwyer High School.

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.