I am not sure what a parent is paying for when having a child attend St. Mark's. First, the student to teacher ratio is about 25 to 1. This is higher than the TX state requirements. Second, if you are looking for a Christain envirnment, look elsewhere. The environment is cold and uncaring. St. Mark's
... Read more prides themselves on a very strict envirnoment. It has the opposite effect on the children. Learning is compromised and the children are not allowed to grow and learn in a loving and caring environment. For example, attending Mass once per week became a negative experience for my young child. The strict environment makes going to Sunday Mass with our family something my child does not want to do. The principal needs to keep herself and her staff educated in the latest in the areas of teaching. The 'old Catholic' style of strict teaching is dated. Read less
Posted by a parent on 08/23/09
First of all the principal needs to retire. She is completely stagnant and set in her old ways. The assistant principal is not only cold but also inexperienced in dealing with business in a professional manner. The classroom sizes are too large and there are no programs to accomodate the high achievers/gifted
... Read more children. The low level children are stressed with the number of worksheets given and do not have anyone to help them in a special program, must be devastating in a class size of 25-26. They are given worksheets all day long and are very bored in the primary grades. What this school needs is to get rid of the assistant principal and put someone in that can hold their own. The principal again needs to retire and let someone with good ideas come in and modernize the teaching styles. I feel sorry for these children! Read less
Posted by a other on 06/06/09
Very pleased with the school as a whole. Strict school environment however students are better prepared for high school. Its nice to see respect for others and teachers
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Posted by a parent on 01/05/09
After having my children in 5 different schools all around the US, I have found that no one school is perfect for everyone. I believe St Mark does an excellent job of educating my children. Athletics are run by parent volunteers, so if anyone has a problem then they should step up to help out! The
... Read more middle school is preparing our children for high school and doing a fine job. The teachers have high expectations for our children and the parents should help their children meet these expectations instead of putting the teachers down. What does that help? Overall my family loves St Mark and would recommend it to anyone! Read less
Posted by a parent on 08/22/08
I've been involved with St. Mark for 12 years and while there is certainly enourmous opportunity for improvement, the overall educational is far above average. The children that graduate from St. Mark are far more prepared for high school (especially prep schools) than their counterparts at public schools
... Read more or even other private schools. I understand other parents disappointment in athletics. St. Mark athletics is almost exclusively parent run and coached. If there is disappointment, it should be with those who criticize but don't give their time to the sports program. The biggest problem I see at St. Mark is stagnant leadership. The principal has seemed to have one foot out the door for the many years I've been at St. Mark. She doesn't have to seem to have give or receive any pleasure through running the school. Read less
Posted by a parent on 08/12/08
I think that the student comment is one of the biggest problems at this school. No one cares about what is said about St. Mark's. The staff and the faculty continue to stick their heads in the sand and 'hope' that all of their issues go away...somehow. As for a students' comment....with all due respect...I
... Read more remember middle school and as long as I was having fun and hanging with my friends...things were great. Not really a mature assessment of how the school functions on an adult level and we all know that when it comes to private schools here...money and power talk. No exceptions here. We have 2 children who attended this school for 3 years. My comments about St. Mark's? Way to many students. 3 classes of about 30 students per grade! Faculty micromanages teachers and coaches. Disappointing for a Catholic School. Read less
Posted by a parent on 08/07/08
I do not care what anybody says about this school. This is a great school. Everyone says the teachers are bad.......they are not at all. They prepare you for high school. Just ignore anyone that says this is a bad school because it is not. The athletics are great here. The people who write bad reviews
... Read more don't know what they are talking about. We have many academic activities. When I graduate I will miss this school so much. I feel like I am at home when I'm here. This is a great school period. Read less
Posted by a student on 07/01/08
wow! I didn't know we were not the only family that felt that St. Mark's has serious issues! It is true...Athletics is mismanaged. The middle school needs a major housecleaning. Uniforms are the big joke in the community. Preferential treatment is a problem. Parent's are not listened to or taken seriously.
... Read more (with the exception of a few) Not worth the money. We will not be going back. :( Read less
Posted by a parent on 04/22/08
St. Mark's is not moving in the right direction. We have been there for 6 years and have more than 1 child there. We agree with the parent that said a few parents are listened to and the rest are ignored. We also agree that the middle school is way too overcrowded and the middle school teaching staff
... Read more needs some major overhauling. The sports used to be so good and in the past few years it has become a joke. So sad because St. Mark's has the potential to be so great. Mismanagement of the sports program goes unchecked. The Catholic education is 'ok'. Major reconstruction is in the plans and can't help but interfere with the school learning environment not to mention the safety aspect. We will not be returning to St. Mark's next year. It is just not worth the $$ anymore. Read less
Posted by a parent on 04/15/08
St. Mark's has thrived for 25 years. The middle school teachers are tough, but they prepare the students for high school, so that it is an easy transition. My daughter will be graduating this year and it will be hard to say goodbye.
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*The resources listed are programs that the institution is staffed to support. Staffing for a program does not guarantee that it will be offered. This content is provided by the institution and may be incomplete. The institution may offer programs not listed here. Please contact the school directly for additional details.
Advanced Placement
AP classes are college-level classes offered at the high school level. Once a student completes an AP class and passes a final comprehensive examination conducted by the College Board, the student earns college credit for the course. AP classes are specific and not to be confused with other higher-level classes such as honors classes.
Before/After School
"Extended day" programs where the school day is extended before and after school to accommodate working parents. These programs should not be confused with common after school clubs or athletic activities.
Gifted and Talented
A school system may identify 10% to 15% or more of its student population as gifted and talented. A brief description of each area of giftedness or talent as defined by the Office of Gifted and Talented:
general intellectual ability or talent - high intelligence test score (usually two standard deviations above the mean), and high levels of vocabulary, memory, abstract work knowledge and abstract reasoning;
specific academic aptitude or talent in one area such as mathematics or language arts;
creative and productive thinking, the ability to produce new ideas;
leadership ability, the ability to direct individuals or groups to a common decision or action;
visual and performing arts, special talents in visual art, music, dance, drama, or other related studies;
psychomotor ability, such as practical, spatial, mechanical, and physical skills.
Vocation/Technical Curriculum
Vocational and/or technical courses offered within a comprehensive school, usually a senior high school.
Special Education Classes
A school or program within a school that provides services and training to students with moderate to severe mental and/or physical disabilities.
Adult Education Classes
Programs offering GED or equivalent courses for adults within regular schools, whether classes are held during evening or daytime schedules.
English as Second Language
English language classes for students whose first language is not English.
Plano schools — St Mark Catholic School is located at 1201 Alma Dr, Plano TX 75075. 1201 Alma Dr is in the 75075 ZIP code in Plano, TX The school district for St Mark Catholic School is the Diocese Of Dallas Education Office. St Mark Catholic School is a Catholic school that serves grade levels K - 8.
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