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 003f400000GtDLuAAN

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: 85.0%

Number of IB Courses Offered: 0

Learning Support

• Evening Study Assistance
• Learning Center
• Peer Tutoring
• Study Skills Assistance
• Subject Tutoring
• Writing Center

English

• Classics
• Creative Writing
• Honors
• Literature
• Poetry

History

• Asian History
• Classical History
• European History
• Honors
• Medieval History
• United States History
• World History

Foreign Languages

• Chinese-Mandarin
• French
• German
• Greek
• Latin
• Spanish

Religion / Philosophy

• Ethics
• Moral Philosophy
• Philosophy
• Religious Studies
• Social Justice
• World Religions

Humanities / Social Sciences

• Anthropology
• Economics
• Psychology

Sciences

• Anatomy
• Astronomy
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Genetics
• Physics
• Physiology

Math

Computer Studies

• Multimedia
• Computer Programming
• Computer Science
• Robotics

Music

• Band
• Choral Music
• Composition
• Individual Instructions
• Music History
• Music Theory
• Orchestra
• Voice

Performing / Visual Arts

• Acting
• Art History
• Ceramics
• Dance
• Debate
• Drama
• Drawing
• Painting
• Photography
• Portfolio
• Pottery
• Printmaking
• Sculpture
• Studio Art
• Theater Design

Special Programs

• Study Abroad
• Community Service
• Exchange Programs
• Independent Study
• Leadership

Distinctive or New Programs

• Engineering The Math Institute The 21st Century

Dorm Life

Number of Dorms: 12

Average Students Per Dorm: 20

Number of Girls Dorms: 6

Number of Boys Dorms: 6

Dorm Amenities

• Game Room
• Laundry Facilities
• Lounge
• Wireless Internet

Other Dorm Amenities

Student Life

Frequently Asked Questions: Is there a dress code? While we do not require coats and ties daily, we do expect our students to conform to a dress code best described as “neat casual.” No jeans are allowed, and boys must wear collared shirts. Girls can wear either dresses, skirts, or dress pants. Sneakers are allowed. Are there scheduled study hours? Yes. Faculty supervised evening study runs from Sunday evening through Friday evening from 7:30-9:30 pm. Students typically work quietly in their rooms, at their desks, completing their homework. Are athletics required? Third and Fourth Form students are required to participate in an interscholastic sport in the fall, winter and spring. Fifth Formers participate in an interscholastic sport for at least two seasons, while Sixth Formers participate in as interscholastic sport for at least one season. What are clubs and activities like? St. Mark’s boasts more than 30 student organizations that meet a full range of interests and passions. Students can involve themselves in drama, music, the school newspaper, or the St. Mark’s Society – the school’s community service group that sponsors a wide range of hands-on service opportunities. Social activities include dances both on campus and at neighboring schools, trips to the movies and mall, as well as skiing, hiking and apple-picking excursions. Students can also take advantage of frequent cultural and social outings to Boston and the annual school trip to the New York Metropolitan Opera.

Facilities

• Baseball Field
• Basketball Court
• Fitness Center
• Football Field
• Indoor Basketball Court
• Pool
• Volleyball Court

Other Facilities

• Field House for Indoor Training & Turf Field

Clubs & Organizations

Arts Department Director: 003f400001ZQtHLAA1

Athletics Department Director: 003f400000GtDLmAAN

Arts

• Acting
• Art History
• Ceramics
• Dance
• Debate
• Drama
• Drawing
• Painting
• Photography
• Portfolio
• Pottery
• Printmaking
• Sculpture
• Studio Art
• Theater Design

Interscholastic Sports

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Crew
• Cross Country Running
• Field Hockey
• Football
• Golf
• Ice Hockey
• Lacrosse
• Soccer
• Softball
• Squash
• Tennis
• Track and Field
• Volleyball
• Wrestling

Recreational Sports

• Aerobics
• Alpine Skiing
• Alpine Ski Racing
• Dance
• Equestrian
• Figure Skating
• Freestyle Skiing
• Golf
• Outdoor Education
• Rock Climbing
• Snowboarding
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Ultimate Frisbee
• Weight Lifting
• Cycling

Summary: The guiding philosophy behind the work we do in the St. Mark’s College Counseling Office is collaboration. Our team approach fosters information, experience, communication, trust, encouragement and the building of relationships; guiding and supporting each of our families through the intricacies of an increasingly complex college admissions process. Offering students a systematic, syllabus-anchored approach to finding the college that best suits their ambitions and aspirations is the primary goal. From the initial college exploration through the May 1st deposit deadline, families work directly and meet regularly with their designated college counselor to discuss and make appropriate choices. In the end, the student has been provided with advice, strategy, extensive information about colleges, and has grown in a variety of ways by the time enrollment in college takes place. While the formal advising program does not start until winter of the V Form year, college guidance is available to St. Markers as soon as they arrive on campus. When requested, our team collaborates with III and IV Form students, their families, advisors and the Director of Studies in planning an appropriate and intellectually stimulating course of study. In addition, we are happy to offer guidance about athletics, extracurricular activities, and summer programs – all potential factors in college admission. Given the breadth and depth of the opportunities available at St. Mark’s, we encourage students to deviate from what colleges normally expect as long as the choices are made thoughtfully and with genuine commitment.

College attended in the past 5 years by our graduates:

Quotes From Alumni