Saint Mark's School
Encyclopedia
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. 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.
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, and Olympic swimmer Matt Biondi
.
In 2006, Saint Mark's initiated Northern California
's only all-female chess tournament.
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.
and the California Association of Independent Schools. In 2008, CAIS accredited Saint Mark's for six years.
San Rafael, California
San Rafael is a city and the county seat of Marin County, California, United States. The city is located in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area...
, in Marin County. The school was established by an Episcopal
Episcopal Church (United States)
The Episcopal Church is a mainline Anglican Christian church found mainly in the United States , but also in Honduras, Taiwan, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the British Virgin Islands and parts of Europe...
parish in 1980. Within a few years, it moved away from the Episcopal Church and is now an independent school with no religious affiliation. 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.
Mission
"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."Special programs and curriculum
Saint Mark's provides hands-on learning, Guided ReadingGuided Reading
Guided reading is a method of teaching reading to children. It forms part of the National Literacy Strategy for England and Wales and is therefore a preferred approach employed within primary schools. In the United States, Guided Reading is also a key component to the Reading Workshop model of...
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
Marin County Civic Center
Marin County Civic Center, the last commission by Frank Lloyd Wright, is located in San Rafael, California. Groundbreaking for the Civic Center Administration Building took place in 1960, after Wright's death and under the watch of Wright's protégé, Aaron Green, and was completed in 1962. The...
'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
Standard Mandarin
Standard Chinese or Modern Standard Chinese, also known as Mandarin or Putonghua, is the official language of the People's Republic of China and Republic of China , and is one of the four official languages of Singapore....
program beginning in Kindergarten.
Famous persons who have spoken at the school include Melba Pattillo Beals
Melba Pattillo Beals
Melba Pattillo Beals is a journalist and member of the Little Rock Nine, a group of African-American students who were the first to integrate Central High in Little Rock, Arkansas.-Desegregating Central High:...
, astronaut Leroy Chiao
Leroy Chiao
Dr. Leroy Chiao , is an American engineer, former NASA astronaut, entrepreneur, motivational speaker and engineering consultant. Chiao flew on three shuttle flights, and was the commander of Expedition 10, where he lived on board the International Space Station from October 13, 2004 to April 24,...
, Holocaust survivor Dora Apsan Sorrel, and Olympic swimmer Matt Biondi
Matt Biondi
Matthew Nicholas Biondi is a three-time U.S. Olympic swimmer in the 1984, 1988, and 1992 Summer Olympics, winning a total of 11 medals...
.
In 2006, Saint Mark's initiated Northern California
Northern California
Northern California is the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The San Francisco Bay Area , and Sacramento as well as its metropolitan area are the main population centers...
's only all-female chess tournament.
School partnerships
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.
Environmental stewardship
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.Accreditation and memberships
Saint Mark's is a member of the National Association of Independent SchoolsNational Association of Independent Schools
The National Association of Independent Schools is a U.S.-based membership organization for private, nonprofit, K-12 schools. Founded in 1963, NAIS represents independent schools and associations in the United States, including day, boarding, and day/boarding schools; elementary and secondary...
and the California Association of Independent Schools. In 2008, CAIS accredited Saint Mark's for six years.