St. Mark's Lutheran Elementary School

I speak with pride when I talk about this school. St. Mark's Lutheran is the kind of school that makes you want to be the best person you can be. Whether you've been attending this school for 9 years or 3 years, you learn about more than just academics. You learn to appreciate the small things just as much as the bigger ones. From rough housing football to the competitive math team, St. Mark's has a variety of school programs. We even get down and dirty during our 8th grade reenactment of the Battle of Bunker Hill. There are also the B I G productions we put on each year with the drama department, and there are also the smaller one's like the christmas programs where each grade performs. St. Mark's is a unique school and you would be immensely blessed to attend it.

St. Mark's has been a wonderful nine years for me. It provides students with excellent opportunities to learn, to create and to make new friends. Not only has this school given me a great deal of educational knowledge and prepared me for my next school, it also taught me much about character and wise decision-making. The religion program helped me build a stronger relationship with God. At St. Mark's, a student can be involved with school life in many ways: joining a sports team, helping with the drama production or taking part in band are just some of the activities the school has to offer. The students and the staff here are extremely friendly and welcoming, and I had no trouble making friends. I believe that St. Mark's is one of the best schools out there and definitely a great experience.

Overall St. Mark's is an excellent school. The teacher's are involved and the principal, Ms. Barbara Clark is exceptional. Ms. Clark is present and interested in what parent's have to say and is quick to resolve issues in a fairly with huge doses of common sense. The only issue I have is with the math program. The math program seems to be somewhat accelerated and can leave your child struggling. I think the students would be better served in receiving a less accelerated program that would truly provide them with a solid mathematics foundation. That being said, the variety of classes and class room experiences is stellar . My only other complaint would be the constant fund raising. I know it costs a lot of money to run a private school of this caliber, but the minority of middle class parents struggle with meeting the financial obligations imposed.
—Submitted by a parent

St. Mark's was the best choice that I ever made for my two daughters and their education. I have one that just finished from preschool thru 8th grade and another that will start 7th grade next year. The education they both have received has by far been second to none. They both have been above average students and excelled in this enviroment. They learned to be organized, disciplined in their studies and I know this was the best stepping stone for them to enter into the high school and those college years. I highly recommend this school and you will not be disappointed!
—Submitted by a parent

St. Mark's is an excellent school. St. Mark's school provide teachers that are very involved, have great curriculum, and alot of extra curricular activities for kids. This is one school that I can say provided my kids tools on how to manage their time; how to be discipline in academic and how to be discipline in the public arena. The school principal is always readily available. Any time you would want to speak to the principal, all you need is to step out of your car every morning and talk to the principal standing by the parking lot to address any issues. Can you believe this? I have 2 kids that graduated from St. Mark's 2 years apart and both kids received personal letters from the school pricipal addressing theirs strengths and weaknesses, as well a words of encoragement for their future. Continue the good works at St. Mark's. Thanks you for the years of good guidance to my kids.
—Submitted by a parent

This school exceptional in it's progress. The students here are more prepared because they work on a grade level higher than their grade. From the teachers to the students to the principal to the staff members, this school is above all, the one you want to send your child to.

Being at a school so exceptionally so advanced has been one of my greatest blessings. Everything from the teachers to the extracurricular and academic programs to the principal and staff members shows complete excellence. The students gain a once and a lifetime chance participating in extra curricular activities such as an high-school level drama department, weekly student run podcast news program, a day reserved for learning and experiencing hands-on about science, a 10-day East Coast learning adventure for 8th graders, and much more! The school has excelled both my parent's and my expectations academically seeing to the students learn one grade level higher than their intended grade, preparing them for high school when they reach eighth grade. I've been grateful to go to a extremely advanced school such as this.

If your child isn't in enrolled at St. Mark's, her or she is truly missing out on a unique educational experience. St. Mark's not only offers a top notch curriculum but is also jam packed with extra curricular activities such as an incredible drama department, weekly student run newscast program, science day, outstanding sports coaches, and a 10-day East Coast learning experience for 8th graders, just to name a few. St. Mark's teachers/and staff truly care about each child's education and encourages them to step out of their comfort zone to try new things. Weekly Chapel service is performed by teachers and students enriching your child's knowledge about God, and thru him all things are possible. St. Mark's is not just a school for your child, but an extension of your family.
—Submitted by a parent

The Best thing that happened to me at St. Marks was meeting great friends in all extrecurricular activities. I also really enjoyed being in podcast and drama.

St. Marks could not have been a better choice for school with the education it gives and the sports that I was able to play. The teachers at the school gave me the tools I needed to get through high school and I thank them for that. Overall St.Marks was an amazing experience that I would recommend to any student from preschool through eighth grade.

Having spent the first ten years of my educational career at St. Mark s, I ve realized how great of an experience it was. Great teachers mixed with an amazing curriculum left me well ahead in my first years of high school, in books I had already read to the algebra equations I d already been taught. Because of its exceptional academic standards St. Mark s has now become a Blue Ribbon and WASC accredited school. In addition to my many academic advantages, St. Mark s has also provided me the opportunity to make many irreplaceable relationships with most of my classmates and, I even feel that in some cases, with some of the parents. Some of my greatest childhood memories come from class trips to places such as Catalina and the East Coast. Do not hesitate in sending your children here because I am certain you won t regret it.

St. Mark's is an all-around great school: offering amazing academics, resources and extracurriculars, and most of all a strong and supportive community. I know the school as both a student and a member of the staff--I attended grades 2 through 8 and now work part-time as a TA and day care attendant. Not only does the school foster intellectual growth and academic preparedness through its top-notch curriculum and teaching staff, they also instill values of cooperation, kindness and hardwork in every student (and parent) who attends. Academically, St. Mark's gives every student mastery of the basic skills they will need in high school and college, and goes beyond the basics to emphasize analytical thinking, goal-setting and problem-solving. An excellent sports program, technological resources, and a thriving arts and theatre department are just some of the ways in which all students can nurture their own interests and become involved. St. Mark's is incredibly community-oriented, and respect and fairness are upheld throughout the school. My years spent at St. Mark's have been invaluable to me, in both my academic endeavors and in my personal growth.

St. Marks is unmatched in its quality of curriculum, standards, teachers, congeniality, and technology. It is an excellent learning environment that not only over prepares you for high school but teaches your child about good Christian values. The friends your child makes will be long lasting and good relationships at St. Marks. I was very fortunate to be able to go there from 6th-8th but would have given anything to start their in kindergarten.

I attended St. Mark's, and am incredibly grateful for the experience. The involved faculty, rigorous academics, and updated facilities all contributed to my later academic success. Because of the advanced curricula at St. Mark's, I had already read the books for my introductory high school honors English course and mastered the concepts covered in my high school geometry course (I attended a nationally and state recognized high school). Not only does St. Mark's encourage intellectual curiosity, it also fosters strong organizational skills necessary for continued success. Also, as for the accusations of bullying and "drama," no school is immune to the difficult social situations most preteens encounter. Certainly my "public school" friends had their fair share of stories. But, when approached and informed of any bullying or "drama" issues, the faculty and staff do all they can to ensure a bully-free, safe and fair environment. I made some of my best friends at St. Mark's, and we still keep in contact several years, and several schools, later. For a well-rounded, rigorous education and a safe and fair environment, St. Mark's is an ideal option.

Overall, St. Mark's enviroment is quite snobby and cold. They give special treatment to those who donate large amounts of money and/or are overlly involved in school life(gossiping). There is a disdain for public school and those who go to public schools that is clearly emphasized upon through teachers, children, and parents. The education is mediocre. The Engligh program is rather profficient, but other than that most core subkects are weak. I took my child out and put them in Mesa Robles and they had much better experience there and was more prepared for high school. While some children were nice, others were rather rude. It is clear that there is a problen with bullying and cliques, my daughter afterall experienced it first hand in all her years. Girls and boys both make it clear that they are ugly or unwanted to other kids. Also, a huge problem lies within the junior high dating. Girls will do everything to make girls feel poorly about themselves over guys. In my opinion, there is too much drama. My child had a very negative experience with her years at St. Mark's
—Submitted by a parent

i hated st marks. i graduated a few years ago and i never looked back. they have a major bullying issue at st marks, particularly among the junior high. some of the teachers i learned alot from, but oters not so much. Among the staff their are a few good teachers and a lot of bad ones. i went to high school after i graduated and i soon realized that i was in no way prepared for it and had to learn to study. i got straigh A's at st marks and my freshman year was getting straight B's. All of my new friends were prepared because they didnt go to St. Marks.

I and my family love ST. Mark's, and our boys still now there! I agree with some parents or students that the school's English class is very strong and the science is kind of weak to compare with other public schools in the same area. But being a parent you have to know what you're looking for the most! My family want our kids have a greater environment with better hardware like the classrooms and the school facilities, and even good classmates and parents around them... The only unhappy experience we had that it was with a first-grade teacher who is racist and very. We were unlucky that both boys went to her class. And other parents felt the same way who i talked to. She has two faces that one to Caucasian parents and students, and the other to the none-Caucasian people. Other teachers are great. We love ST. Mark's!
—Submitted by a parent

Hands down the best school in the area! The curriculum is advanced, arts, sports, Christian values and teachers that trully like to teach. The property is constantly upgraded. The admistration is always looking for innovative teaching methods as well as available technology for classrooms. Finally the principal is very responsive to any parent concerns or issues. Parent involvement is significant at St Marks. Students here will gain a very good foundation for HS as they do not teach to the test. If I had to improve anything at this school it would be the pre-school program, I feel it still needs to be brought up to the older grades standards. functions and events are planned under the direction of volunteer parent comittes.
—Submitted by a parent

If I was a parent I'd probably send my kids to St. Marks till 4th grade, then pull them out for public school. St. Mark's was far to easy of a school, many of my friends (graduates) complained all through their freshmen year about struggling with the homework. Admittedly, this school is the best in this district, unless your kid's get into the GATE program at a public school. I missed my 8th grade year, but I had a horrible time trying to catch up in my classes in middle school. Their English program is pretty strong, math is strong in some years weak in others, science was very weak, and history average. Spanish was weak. Oh, and by the way, if your kid is 'advanced' they'll most likely kick back. The school had some major bullying problems in upper years.
—Submitted by a student

I have a child who will be entering the 4th grade this fall. I am extremely pleased with St. Mark's. There is a very strong family atmosphere within the school. Academically it is a tough school, but definitely prepares you for the next level. My son enjoys St. Mark's and has always liked every teacher he has had. The campus is always neat and they seem to be always looking for ways to improve the school.
—Submitted by a parent