Westminster Avenue Elementary School

I have 4 children and they have all gone through or are going through Saint Mark. We have experienced all of the change and turmoil that has taken place over the years. (I believe the Covid years should not be considered in a serious review of a school, but Saint Mark did its best, while weathering 3 principals in as many years). I attended catholic schools for 12 years, so I have realistic expectations for catholic schools. I have found Saint Mark, overall, to be a wonderful little gem in the heart of Venice. My kids have made wonderful friends (and so have my husband and I), they have thrived academically (incidentally, every boy that applied to Loyola HS this year was admitted, and every 8th grader is going to their first choice in high school), and have been gently formed in the catholic mission to be compassionate, conscientious citizens who strive for excellence and goodness. Like any school, your experience will only reflect what you put in as parents. This school thrives in its small but robust community - parents are encouraged to volunteer and participate throughout the year to make the school a success. It is through volunteering that we have made lifelong friends, but also got a better sense of how things work from the inside out - it takes a lot of well-meaning people to deliver a quality education to a child. The student body is diverse - I would say it accurately reflects the neighborhood it is in. My kids all have friends from multiple cultures, races, socio-economic backgrounds. I appreciate the complexities and difficulties that schools in our present day face. I know how hard it is to find and retain teachers and administrators. I hold masters degree in secondary education and a bachelors degree in English Literature. All of my children are excellent readers, and I attribute it to Saint Mark. My children feel challenged, engaged, and content. They are safe, happy, and have become critical thinkers. These things are the most I could hope for in a school. I am grateful for Mr. Bersin and his administration - he is fiercely protective of his teachers and is always available to problem-solve, and Father Albert, who does his best to lead with empathy and grace. We love Saint Mark, and feel lucky to be a part of its legacy.