St. Mark’s is committed to providing a well-rounded educational experience which helps children develop and grow in mind, body, and spirit.
Art classes are offered after school to students in second through fifth grades. The classes cover a variety of mediums, including three-dimensional paper projects, painting techniques, and paper collage. Students are encouraged to create lively designs and to mix media.
St. Mark's offers after-school book clubs to grades three and four. Third grade book lovers meet after school for “Hot Chocolate Café” while fourth graders delight in their “Ice Cream Book Nook.”
St. Mark’s Chime Ensemble is open to all students in third through fifth grades. The Chime Ensemble is a weekly, after-school, year-long commitment. Members perform at Eucharist several times during the school year and also present concerts with the Chorus in December and May.
Students in third through fifth grades have the opportunity to become a member of the St. Mark’s Chorus. This is a weekly, after-school, year-long commitment. Chorus members sing once a month at Eucharist and several times a year in the community. Members also present concerts in December and May with the Chime Ensemble.
Fifth graders may participate in the school’s safety patrol program. Duties include assisting students in and out of cars at arrival and dismissal. An end-of-the-year activity is planned in recognition of the students’ responsibility, commitment, and service to the School. In recent years participants have enjoyed a day trip to Universal Studios.
Students in grades six through eight may volunteer to be an acolyte and serve during the Friday Eucharist as a server, crucifer, taper, or flag bearer. A training is held each fall for students who are interested in becoming acolytes.
Cheerleaders bring joy and school spirit to the middle school through both their sideline cheers and half-time dances. Operating both a fall season and a winter season, middle school cheerleading requires no experience, just a great attitude and willingness to learn!
Building on STEAM education, students in the Inventor’s Club meet after school twice per week to work on creations to solve real-world problems. Each year, club members participate in the STEM Inventor’s Challenge through the Stiles Nicholson Foundation, hosted by the South Florida Science Center.
The Lion’s Pride Jazz Band meets once per week after school and is open to all middle school students who want to broaden their musical abilities, learn about jazz, and perform jazz music.
Eligibility for the National Junior Honor Society first begins with achieving at least a 3.5 GPA by the end of the child’s third quarter of seventh grade. Already having established academic scholarship, eligible students are invited to apply for membership detailing their character, citizenship, service, and leadership. As part of membership, NJHS members render leadership and service to the St. Mark’s community.
Students joining percussion ensemble learn to make music using a variety of percussion instruments. Students learn to combine the traditional structure of playing written music with the flexibility of improvisation when fitting. This ensemble plays various styles of music: swing, jazz, blues, ballads, and modern rock.
The recycling club promotes environmental awareness on campus and runs a paper collection service to ensure paper that is no longer needed is also recycled.
St. Mark’s Service League promotes living a life of service towards others furthering our school mission. Students involved in this organization provide service both on and off campus through various events throughout the year. A few notable events include Food Packing for Haiti, decorating for Christmas in Riviera Beach, Christmas Caroling, and creating no-sew blankets for hospice and children’s hospitals.
The Student Government consists of representatives elected by the middle school student body. Members of student government meet with their faculty leader to plan middle school events and activities as well as to provide input on issues related to student life.
The TV Production Team is responsible for the St. Mark’s morning broadcast. Middle school students run the equipment and prepare interviews to support our lower school broadcasters.
The vocal ensemble meets at all individual grade levels and as a collective group to sing a variety of musical selections. Vocal instruction focuses on technique, breathing, sight reading, and articulation. Songs are included from a number of musical genres and are often selected in conjunction with the winter and spring concerts.
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church sponsors a middle school youth group for students of all denominations for children in grades six through eight and meets on Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The group participates in Bible study, outreach, and service projects. Interested students may participate in a summer mission trip.