| Saint Mark's School | |
|---|---|
| Butterfly garden at Saint Mark's | |
| Location | |
| 39 Trellis Drive San Rafael, California United States |
|
| Information | |
| Type | Independent school |
| Established | 1980 |
| Headmaster | Joe Harvey |
| Faculty | 30 full time, 6 part time |
| Grades | K-8 |
| Enrollment | 380 |
| Campus type | Suburban |
| Color(s) | Blue and Gold |
| Mascot | Sky Lion |
| Newspaper | Hip Pocket |
| Website | School web site |
Saint Mark's is a coeducational, independent, kindergarten-eighth grade school in San Rafael, California, in Marin County. The school was established by an Episcopal parish in 1980. Within a few years, it moved away from the Episcopal Church and is now an independent school with no religious affiliation.[1] Damon Kerby has been the headmaster since 1987. He ended his tenure at Saint Mark's at the conclusion of the 2010-2011 academic year, and was replaced by Joe Harvey, incumbent Academic Dean at nearby independent college preparatory high school, Marin Academy.
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"Saint Mark's School discovers and nurtures what is finest in each child in a vibrant, inclusive, nonsectarian learning community. Innovative and full of heart, Saint Mark's strives to develop well-rounded critical thinkers in a challenging program that fosters academic excellence and responsible world citizenship."
Saint Mark's provides hands-on learning, Guided Reading in the lower grades, daily physical education, a chess program, social and emotional learning (SEL), and visual arts, drama, and music. School plays are performed at the Marin County Civic Center's Showcase Theater. The University of Chicago's Everyday Math curriculum is used in Kindergarten through grade six.
Saint Mark’s is currently the only K-8 school in Marin County with a curricular Mandarin program beginning in Kindergarten.
Famous persons who have spoken at the school include Melba Pattillo Beals, astronaut Leroy Chiao, Holocaust survivor Dora Apsan Sorrel,[2] and Olympic swimmer Matt Biondi.
In 2006, Saint Mark's initiated Northern California's only all-female chess tournament.
The school has built a global education program that is supported by local and international relationships.
In 2000, Saint Mark's established a partnership with eSibonisweni Primary School in Kwazulu, South Africa. In addition to raising funds for food programs, school supplies, and infrastructure projects, Saint Mark's sends a delegation to eSibonisweni every other year; the group consists of faculty members, parents, and students, who do joint academic and art projects and assist with building maintenance and beautification. In 2011, six students and five teachers were brought to the United States to spend two weeks at Saint Mark's.
The program has no overhead costs for either school, so all funds raised and goods provided go directly to those who need them. Saint Mark's has helped other independent schools develop similar partnerships, and the school’s Director of Special Programs has launched a nonprofit, called EduWeavers, to further this mission.
In 2003, Saint Mark’s partnered with Canal Alliance, a nonprofit center supporting the Hispanic community in Marin County on immigration and education issues. The two organizations created an ongoing language-tutoring exchange between students.
Saint Mark's also has a teaching-exchange relationship with Beijing No. 2 Experimental Primary School. In fall 2008, the school welcomed its first guest from Beijing, Ms. Liying Ma.[3]
The school has made environmental awareness part of its program and has a native-butterfly habitat garden and an organic fruit, vegetable, and flower garden that has been recognized by Marin Master Gardeners as a model for school gardens. The garden program has its own teacher and has been integrated into the curriculum for Lower and Middle School.
Saint Mark's is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools and the California Association of Independent Schools. In 2008, CAIS accredited Saint Mark's for six years.[4]