St Mark Elementary School

My daughter is i. A 12:1:1 class and they are very hands on. The teachers are all nice and communicate very well

This school has a robust Gifted & Talented program and leading arts program. Upon entering the building it’s welcoming, clean, and the walls are filled with student art work. There are also butterflies around the building which symbolizes the school’s mascot. The principal and staff are very knowledgeable and collaborative.

If you have a Gen Ed child, this school is pretty great. If you have a SPED child, run as fast as you can away from this school. There are a few teachers in the SPED program who are good, but there are also a few that should not be working with children with complex needs. They traumatized our child when he was too young to understand. Serious punishments, loss of recess, restraint, tearing pages out my child's sketchbook as punishment for meltdowns due to his disability, etc... Not to mention non-compliant with his IEP. They are nice to your face, but when that classroom door closes, it is a whole other thing.

The best investment we ever made. Lower school I would put more emphasis on emotional intelligence. Something that could never be requested/achieved in public schools. EFS has the potential to implement a class related to emotional intelligence, as a subject just like math, and reading.

The most amazing thing with SMSD is their love of students and the changes this School has committed to over the past 50 years. The level of attention and the personal experience makes the difference in many students learning paths and lives beyond school. Their classrooms are modern and the historic building inspires students to be proud of that Buffalo heritage, and learn the real advantages ASL can bring in their personal and professional lives.

We love this school and have chosen to keep both of our children here for middle school, even though they were both accepted to and offered seats at City Honors School. For us, that decision speaks volumes about the quality of this school and the experience it provides.What truly sets this school apart is its intentional, exceptional sense of community. We have seen firsthand how that strong community has positively impacted our children’s confidence, growth, and overall success. Students, parents, and teachers form genuine connections, creating an environment where everyone feels known, supported, and valued.Over the past six years, we have consistently found the teachers to be deeply invested in each child’s development—not just academically, but as whole people. The school does an excellent job balancing academic achievement and assessment preparation with the life skills and character development that help students thrive beyond the classroom.We’ve also appreciated the growing number of extracurricular activities, enrichment opportunities, and sports programs available each year. Our only wish is that the school extended through grades 9–12, because we would gladly continue our children’s education here through high school.