St. Mark's High School

St. Mark's High School is a coeducational Roman Catholic high school located at 2501 Pike Creek Road, Wilmington, Delaware. The school is administrated by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington. It is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The current enrollment is approximately 855.

Background

Saint Mark's was founded in 1969 by the then Bishop Michael W. Hyle. Hyle's successor, Bishop Thomas Mardaga, chose the name of Saint Mark because of his "traditional depiction as a young man and an evangelist who was inspired to spread the word of God."^[2] The school was intended to serve the cultural and educational needs of Roman Catholic youth in the Diocese of Wilmington. Construction began on the school in 1966, and was entirely completed by 1970. Classes officially began in the fall of 1969.

Campus Facilities

Saint Mark's boasts a beautiful, suburban 60-acre campus. The school building was fully updated in 1995 as part of St. Mark's Silver Anniversary Campaign. In 2006, the school began constructing new athletic fields on land given by the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington. In 2011, St. Mark's added lights to the football stadium allowing the school to host night games. In 2012, in honor of Mr. Gene Alessendrini, St. Mark's dedicated a baseball field in his name.

Academic Program

Saint Mark's offers a broad-based, comprehensive curriculum through a diverse academic program that features 5 levels, or phases, to meet the needs of each student. All phases are college preparatory, and include an Honors Program as well as Delaware's largest College Board Advanced Placement Program leading to college credits.

Each year, at least 97 percent of Saint Mark's graduates pursue higher education.

Fine and Performing Arts

Saint Mark's provides students with opportunities in the fine and performing arts, including studio art, ceramics and sculpture, photography, choral music, instrumental music, dance, and drama. Several annual dramatic and musical productions, as well as numerous concerts and special events such as Battle of the Bands, the Key Club Variety Show, and the Blue/Gold Fashion Show, are the highlight of the year for many in the community. The marching and jazz bands are a constant presence at Saint Mark's football games and other events.

Athletics and Extracurricular Activities

St. Mark's offers a competitive athletics program with 8 fields on campus, a lighted stadium, 2 gymnasiums, a complete physical training facility, and over 50 teams at the freshman, junior varsity and varsity levels. The Spartans participate in: baseball, basketball, cheerleading, crew, cross country, field hockey, football, golf, indoor track and field, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling.

Over the years, the Spartans have earned more than 80 State athletic championships. In 2010, St. Mark's Varsity Football team went 12-0 for the season, winning the 2010 DIAA-Division 1 state championship in addition to twice beating their rival, Salesianum High School.

Intramural sports teams are also offered, including bowling, dance team, ice hockey, roller hockey, and ski club.

Students can explore their interests, gain confidence in their abilities, and provide service to the community through participation in more than 50 extracurricular clubs and activities: Academic clubs include the National Honor Society, Student Council, Academic Bowl, Law Club, Math League, Mock Trial, Future Educators of America, Science Olympiad, and Model UN. Community Service clubs include Blue/Gold, Key Club, Z Club, SADD/YELL, and Pax Christi. Recreational clubs, such as the Book & Film Club, are also offered.

Saint Mark's also has several student publications, including Markings Literary Art Magazine, The Spark (Yearbook), and Ultramark.

Trivia

• Saint Mark's historical rival is Salesianum.
• Saint Mark's mascot is the Spartan.

Notable alumni

• Nicole Bosso, former Miss Delaware USA who competed in the 2007 Miss USA pageant
• John Carney, U.S. Representative from Delaware and former Lieutenant Governor of Delaware
• Tom Douglas, widely recognized Seattle Chef and restaurateur
• Meghan Eckman, director of The Parking Lot Movie
• Kevin Mench, a Major League Baseball player for the Milwaukee Brewers (currently a free agent)
• Mario Pino, horse racing jockey (most notable horses are Sweetnorthernsaint and Hard Spun)
• David Plouffe, campaign manager for Barack Obama's successful 2008 presidential campaign
• Keith Powell, an American television actor who is best known for his role as Toofer on the NBC sitcom 30 Rock
• Pedro Swann, former MLB player (Atlanta Braves, Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles)
• Steve Watson, 353 career receptions as a Wide Receiver for the Denver Broncos from 1979 to 1987

References

External links

• St. Mark's High School
• Spartans Sports

Diocese of Wilmington Bishops Thomas Albert Andrew Becker Alfred Allen Paul Curtis John James Joseph Monaghan Edmond John Fitzmaurice Michael William Hyle Thomas Mardaga Robert Edward Mulvee Michael Angelo Saltarelli William Francis Malooly Churches Cathedral Cathedral of St. Peter Parishes St. Joseph's Church, Greenville, DE St. John the Baptist Church, Newark, DE St. Joseph's Church, Middletown, DE St. Peter's Church, Queenstown, MD St. Francis Xavier Church, Warwick, MD Resurrection Church, Wilmington, DE St. Anthony's Church, Wilmington, DE St. Catherine of Siena Church, Wilmington, DE St. Hedwig's Church, Wilmington, DE St. Joseph's Church, Wilmington, DE St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church, Wilmington, DE St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Wilmington, DE Education High Schools Archmere Academy, Claymont, DE Padua Academy, Wilmington, DE Saints Peter and Paul High School, Easton, MD St. Elizabeth High School, Wilmington, DE St. Mark's High School, Wilmington, DE St. Thomas More Preparatory, Magnolia, DE Salesianum School, Wilmington, DE Ursuline Academy, Wilmington, DE Former College St. Mary's College Priests John Barres Benjamin Joseph Keiley Catholicism Portal