Academic Overview
St. Mark's academic programs focus on educating the whole child academically, morally, socially, physically and spiritually. It is our belief that a solid foundation in reading, writing and mathematics help each of our students to excel. It is equally important to educate the creative side of our students through music, Spanish, technology and art. With this balance of concrete and abstract lessons, we are producing exceptional students.
Prekindergarten and Kindergarten:
In these programs, our students refine and master concepts and skills needed to enter first grade with confidence. PreK utilizes the Scott/Foresman Reading Street curriculum. Teachers supplement with science, song and hands-on projects. Students also enjoy enrichment programs including: art, music, Spanish, computers and physical education. Kindergarten students engage in an aggressive reading program that has most students reading by mid year. The language and phonics curriculum is Sadlier Phonics. Teachers evaluate students using the Diagnostic Reading Assessment. They are able to do simple addition, subtraction, reading and creative writing. Students also enjoy enrichment programs including: art, music, Spanish, computers and physical education.
All students participate in Chapel on Monday and Friday. Here children are introduced to Bible stories. PreK and Kindergarten also take field trips to wonderful places including: the Fire Station, the Pumpkin Patch or Corn Maze, Insights Museum, and a dentist's office.
Grades 1 -8:
These are the grades where our students begin to distance themselves from their public school counterparts. Our curriculum provides students with a solid foundation in reading, writing and math; continuing to build on that foundation each successive year. The curriculum employs Saxon Phonics and Math, Scott/Foresman Science, McGraw/Hill Social Studies and Shurley English as its foundation. We also offer the supplemental Accelerated Reader program, where students take comprehension tests on the A.R. Book they have read. Currently, we have over 2,250 titles available in this program. Elementary/Middle School students also enjoy enrichment programs including: art, music, Spanish, computers and physical education.
All students participate in Chapel on Monday and Friday.
Students in grades 1-8 participate in Science Fair, where Sweepstake winners are encouraged to take their project into the public school setting and compete. These student also take field trips including the Old Fort Bliss Living History Museum and University of Texas at El Paso Cultural Events Center.