Our Curriculum
St. Mark’s Episcopal Day School provides a Christian environment of belonging, emphasizing self-worth and self-expression. We create opportunities for your child to further develop communication, social and problem-solving skills while participating in a group experience. Our low teacher-pupil ratio, dedicated and seasoned staff, and extensive grounds/facilities help your child develop and succeed in these areas.
We’ve designed activities based on expression, concentration, inquiry, creation, manipulation and exploration to help your child bloom in self-confidence and curiosity. Blocks, toys, group discussion, story time, puppets and dramatic play stimulate expression through fantasy and re-creation of the world around them. Music and movement classes taught by educated and dedicated teachers are scheduled weekly, and promote a healthy, joyful learning experience that inspires self-expression, self-confidence, and age appropriate group collaboration. Field trips over the year are planned to cover a wide range of first hand experiences. Additional study and exploration are available through our after school classes.
At St. Mark’s, “Our Green Classroom” curriculum uses the environment as a motivating basis for inquiry. We are proud to involve children in guided exploration of our church's beautifully maintained meditation trails and the Barton Creek Greenbelt areas, both accessible from our school grounds. We then reinforce this exploration with artwork and discussion, as well as construction, maintenance, and observation of habitats and vegetable/flower gardens. This integrated curriculum supports the development of language, science, math, sensory and motor skills.
An extensive playground is used daily, weather permitting, to allow for additional social and physical expression. A large swing area, multiple forts and playhouses, tricycle/vehicle trail, and sand play area are all provided for your child’s growth, imagination, social learning and exercise. Much of the playground is shaded by beautiful, mature trees.
St. Mark’s introduces pre-reading and pre-math skills as they become developmentally ready. Children learn fundamental mathematical concepts and strategies through investigative experiences and problem solving. We support children’s emerging literacy through story time, discussion, exercises, artwork, storyboards, letter books and language charts. Social studies and the sciences are an integral part our daily activities and explorations.
Preschool is the perfect time to introduce and show an open mind to different civic, religious and cultural ideals, languages, practices and traditions. Alongside our own Christian values and traditions, St. Mark’s school introduces and embraces tolerance and integration of many cultures and their traditions through discussion, art and stories.
A once a week chapel time offers an understanding of Episcopal Christian values through story telling, discussion, dramatic play, singing and praying. All denominations of students are welcome at St. Mark’s. We welcome and encourage participation in our weekly church services but membership in St. Mark’s church is not a requirement for admission.
At St. Mark’s we are concerned with each child and their joyful development. We strive to carefully and lovingly guide each child so that he/she may get the most out of these multifaceted program(s). We welcome your questions and inquiries about our specific school programs and curriculum.