St. Mark's Episcopal Day School
St. Mark's Episcopal Day School is an independent, co-eductional, parish elementary school serving students age one through the sixth grade. Located in the Old Ortega Historic District neighborhood of Jacksonville, Florida, it was founded in 1970 as an outreach mission of St. Mark's Episcopal Church.
Mission Statement
St. Mark’s Episcopal Day School is a parish day school that instills Christian values, builds a strong academic foundation, encourages personal achievement, stimulates creative expression, and fosters a heart of giving in a nurturing environment in children age one through grade six.
At A Glance
Head of School: Cathy Hardage
Students: 460
Average Class Size: 16 students
Average Student Teacher Ratio: 11:1
Teaching Faculty: 39 - 27% with a Masters or Doctorate Degree
Financial Aid: Over $155,000 in financial aid is awarded each year on a need basis
Library: Over 20,000 books with an online cataloguing system
Technology: Computers in all classrooms, a 22 station Apple Computer lab, a Mobile Laptop Lab consisting of 20 Apple iBook computers
Facilities: 27 Classrooms, Administrative Building, Library, Science Lab, Computer Lab, Music Studio, Art Studio, all-purpose dining and activities center, Early Learning Center, Extended Day Building, Academic Support Center, Spanish room, four well-equipped playgrounds, large play field for outdoor activities and physical education.
Extended Day Program: Enriching care available from 7:30 AM – 6 PM
After-School Enrichment: Numerous programs rotating through the school year involving academics, arts, drama, band, sports, crafts, language arts, and technology
Summer Camp: A day camp is available for seven weeks in June-August.
Academic Support Center: The ASC provides differentiated instruction for students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. Services include gifted instruction, math and language arts support, and specific reading interventions.
Academics and Curriculum
The Early Learning Program (ELP) is designed for one and two year-olds and focuses on loving care where children can learn and grow. Through play and activities, children learn a variety of skills and develop large and small motor skills.
Pre-Kindergarten I & II seeks to help students develop pride and confidence in themselves and their abilities. The program focuses on developing a strong academic foundation, developing the skills for critical thinking, personal responsibility, and time management. Teachers use the DLM Early Childhood Express, Houghton Mifflin Reading, and the Handwriting Without Tears curriculum programs to begin teaching language arts, math, science, and social studies.
Kindergarten through Sixth Grade students utilize Houghton Mifflin Reading and English, Handwriting Without Tears, McGraw-Hill Mathematics, STAR and Accelerated Reader, Scott Foresman Science, Mountain Math, Social Studies Alive!, FASTT Math, and ¡Hola Ninos! curriculums.
Resource Classes include art, character education, Christian Education, computer/technology, library, music, physical education, and Spanish.
Accreditations and Memberships
St. Mark's Episcopal Day School is fully accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools, the Florida Kindergarten Council, the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and the Board of Regents of the Episcopal Diocese of Florida. The school is a not-for-profit corporation organized under the laws of the State of Florida under the authority of, and as an integral part of the Protestant Episcopal Church, Diocese of Florida. The school is a member of: The National Association of Independent Schools, The National Association of Episcopal Schools, Elementary School Heads Association, and The Educational Records Bureau.
Secondary School & College and University Matriculation
Graduates often attend the following secondary schools; The Bolles School, Episcopal High School of Jacksonville, St. John’s Country Day School, Sacred Heart Catholic School, Stanton College Preparatory School, Trinity Christian School.