St. Mark's School of Texas
- Private, Episcopal, All-Boys
- DALLAS, TX
All-Boys School
St. Mark's School of Texas
- grade A+Overall Grade
- Private, Episcopal, All-Boys
- 1-12
- DALLAS, TX
- Rating 4.6 out of 5 83 reviews
St. Mark's School of Texas Reviews
Rating 4.6 out of 5 83 reviews
I've attended St. Marks since 1st grade. If you want a purely academic experience this is your place. There is really nothing else going on. I often see bullying and hear racist and antisemitic remarks from many kids but they never get into trouble because their parents are so rich. The administration just turns the other way. There is not enough teacher involvement with the kids outside of the classroom and it turns into a scene out of Lord of the Flies. This is not a normal or healthy environment to go to school.
I love St. Mark's. My favorite experience was the Pecos wilderness trip -- an 8 day backpacking trip in the mountains of New Mexico with all of my classmates. My least favorite experience was not being able to see my friends during Covid, although that can hardly be blamed on the School.
Going to St. Mark's was a life changing experience. One of the best decisions I ever made. I enjoyed my time here and created a ton of memories.
Although small, the St. Mark's community is great as there are a myriad of ways to connect with others. One example is how the Seniors get little buddies (1st through 3rd graders) that they interact with throughout the year, and at the all School Christmas party, bring their little buddy in on their shoulders and let them put an ornament on the Christmas Tree. This is only one of the many ways that St. Mark's brings everyone in the community together. Even if some of the courses are hard, the teachers are great and willing to meet outside of class to help students out. There are also many ways for parents to be involved in the St. Mark's community.
St. Marks administration is terrible. After they went through the chaos with the tornado it took them 4 years to bounce back and start construction on a new gym. There has also been tons of cheating in both the middle school and highschool. People have been caught for it and all the administration does is brush it under the rug even though they have the students sign a waver that they will not cheat or else they will be suspended or expelled. The administration ramps up acedemics too much to where you have no time to hangout and enjoy life. Finally the administration does not do anything about bullying.
St. Mark's is a great school for anyone seeking a rigorous environment. I appreciate most of the teachers, all of the college counselors, and all of the administration. The students are inherently competitive, and unfortunately, their sense of competition makes many unwilling to open up to others and pursue kindness and genuine friendship.
My experience at St. Mark's School of Texas was one that shaped the course of my life. Not only did the rigorous coursework strengthen my academic abilities and prepare me well for college, the school had a profound impact on my character development, and I leave the school a better man. In addition, the community that the school fosters is like no other, and in no other place do I find the same density of excellent mentors, dependable friends, and good people.
I think St. Mark’s definitely prepares you for college well. This is the main reason why parents will choose to send their child here.
Well run, top notch teachers, professors with excellent curriculum. It is an amazing school that truly cares about the boys and path to manhood. The community is better for the St Marks community and we are so appreciative of the opportunity St Marks has offered our son.
St. Mark's is a very good school for many boys. It's not better than Hockaday. The upper school gets five stars.
As a parent of a “lifer” I can say that St. Mark’s has been nurturing and has prepared him well for life. The teachers are very involved and genuinely care about the students. They strive to educate the “whole boy.” The school itself has conservative values and seems to favor the sons of generous donors. Admin seems to look the other way when a son of a generous donor behaves badly. Some students are expelled whereas others will get a suspension. Unfortunately this is the reality we live in. You can choose to drink the “Cool- Aid” and apply and be immersed in a supportive and magical environment. Or you can save thousands of dollars and attend public school and have perhaps the same outcome in terms of overall happiness. We have no regrets and would repeat this journey again in a heartbeat.
I'm currently a middle school student at St. Marks. I have gone to schools in different states and even different continents, and St. Marks is by far the best school I've been to. In class, instead of sitting there, waiting for the bell to ring, I'm attentively listening to my teacher, engaged in the subject. The facilities too are amazing. I love going to the weight room and the basketball court, not to mention the maker's space and wood shop. I take 3D Design, and almost every day I get to use a myriad of tools, machines and techniques to craft intricate designs. I also actively take part in the athletics program. The coaches do a great job of instilling team pride and leadership. I would also like to mention that the school is not necessarily christian, as it says on this website. I have tons of friends who aren't religious. The only religious aspect is that once a week we have chapel, where we learn about whatever religion is relevant to the time of the year.
In addition to the standard attributes you would expect from a top-ranked school, St. Mark’s develops its students into men of character and leadership.
My two sons went there. The education and relationships they developed have opened every door they ever wanted in college and at work. They have grown to appreciate that they are well rounded men because of their Marksmen experience. I highly recommend St. Mark’s if you have a curious son who enjoys learning, playing various sports, and thrives in a small classroom environment
On balance, St. Mark's has a very good program. The Humanities sequence (sort of a merged English, History and Social Studies program) is especially good. My son's writing skills are way ahead of those of his peers from other schools as a result. Science is hit and miss--several teachers in that program have grown very long in the tooth and no longer seem to have the energy to engage young boys. The language program is very weak, especially in the cursory middle school Spanish and Chinese classes. The St. Mark's choir is excellent--of a class with the best in the world. Its athletic program is also very good and includes every boy in a variety of team sports.
St. Mark's works these kids hard. Homework is several hours per day. The boys are competitive, but they are also honorable in their competition. The school places a great deal of stress on honor and fair play, which is laudable. Unfortunately it does tend to bend its own rules in favor of the scions of wealthy families.
St. Mark's works these kids hard. Homework is several hours per day. The boys are competitive, but they are also honorable in their competition. The school places a great deal of stress on honor and fair play, which is laudable. Unfortunately it does tend to bend its own rules in favor of the scions of wealthy families.
Do you have adhd? Dyslexia? Are you not straight, or not masculine? Do you want friends? A girlfriend? Do you want to pursue a passion outside of school? Run for the hills.
St Mark’s is a wonderful institution for one type of person only. Dorky boys. You will not encounter an extrovert or right-brained person who actually likes St Marks and performs well.
If you do not care about friends, relationships, hobbies, passions, looks, or spending 5+ hours on homework from the moment you hit middle school (yes, middle school), St Marks is the school for you and you will love it.
I am not coming discouraging the school, I am simply telling you that you will be miserable if you want a normal high school experience.
Also this is the most competitive school probably in America. I remember getting an 100 on a hard vocabulary test in Mr J’s 3rd grade language arts class, and 2 of my mom’s friends congratulating me before my mom even knew. 3rd grade. Weird times.
St Mark’s is a wonderful institution for one type of person only. Dorky boys. You will not encounter an extrovert or right-brained person who actually likes St Marks and performs well.
If you do not care about friends, relationships, hobbies, passions, looks, or spending 5+ hours on homework from the moment you hit middle school (yes, middle school), St Marks is the school for you and you will love it.
I am not coming discouraging the school, I am simply telling you that you will be miserable if you want a normal high school experience.
Also this is the most competitive school probably in America. I remember getting an 100 on a hard vocabulary test in Mr J’s 3rd grade language arts class, and 2 of my mom’s friends congratulating me before my mom even knew. 3rd grade. Weird times.
Going to St. Mark's was the best investment of my life thus far - academics are unrivaled, college counseling is incredible, many sports and clubs are offered, and the diversity/culture are better than any other school in Texas.
St. Mark's is difficult, but it taught me discipline and prepared me for college far more than my peers at other schools.
St. Mark's is difficult, but it taught me discipline and prepared me for college far more than my peers at other schools.