Research St. Mark Catholic School private Schools in Dallas, Texas

“I am not sure what a parent is paying for when having a child attend St. Mark's. First, the student to teacher ratio is about 25 to 1. This is higher than the TX state requirements. Second, if you are looking for a Christain envirnment, look elsewhere. The environment is cold and uncaring. St. Mark's prides themselves on a very strict envirnoment. It has the opposite effect on the children. Learning is compromised and the children are not allowed to grow and learn in a loving and caring environment. For example, attending Mass once per week became a negative experience for my young child. The strict environment makes going to Sunday Mass with our family something my child does not want to do. The principal needs to keep herself and her staff educated in the latest in the areas of teaching. The 'old Catholic' style of strict teaching is dated.”

“First of all the principal needs to retire. She is completely stagnant and set in her old ways. The assistant principal is not only cold but also inexperienced in dealing with business in a professional manner. The classroom sizes are too large and there are no programs to accomodate the high achievers/gifted children. The low level children are stressed with the number of worksheets given and do not have anyone to help them in a special program, must be devastating in a class size of 25-26. They are given worksheets all day long and are very bored in the primary grades. What this school needs is to get rid of the assistant principal and put someone in that can hold their own. The principal again needs to retire and let someone with good ideas come in and modernize the teaching styles. I feel sorry for these children!”

“Very pleased with the school as a whole. Strict school environment however students are better prepared for high school. Its nice to see respect for others and teachers”

“After having my children in 5 different schools all around the US, I have found that no one school is perfect for everyone. I believe St Mark does an excellent job of educating my children. Athletics are run by parent volunteers, so if anyone has a problem then they should step up to help out! The middle school is preparing our children for high school and doing a fine job. The teachers have high expectations for our children and the parents should help their children meet these expectations instead of putting the teachers down. What does that help? Overall my family loves St Mark and would recommend it to anyone!”

“I've been involved with St. Mark for 12 years and while there is certainly enourmous opportunity for improvement, the overall educational is far above average. The children that graduate from St. Mark are far more prepared for high school (especially prep schools) than their counterparts at public schools or even other private schools. I understand other parents disappointment in athletics. St. Mark athletics is almost exclusively parent run and coached. If there is disappointment, it should be with those who criticize but don't give their time to the sports program. The biggest problem I see at St. Mark is stagnant leadership. The principal has seemed to have one foot out the door for the many years I've been at St. Mark. She doesn't have to seem to have give or receive any pleasure through running the school.”

“I think that the student comment is one of the biggest problems at this school. No one cares about what is said about St. Mark's. The staff and the faculty continue to stick their heads in the sand and 'hope' that all of their issues go away...somehow. As for a students' comment....with all due respect...I remember middle school and as long as I was having fun and hanging with my friends...things were great. Not really a mature assessment of how the school functions on an adult level and we all know that when it comes to private schools here...money and power talk. No exceptions here. We have 2 children who attended this school for 3 years. My comments about St. Mark's? Way to many students. 3 classes of about 30 students per grade! Faculty micromanages teachers and coaches. Disappointing for a Catholic School.”

“I do not care what anybody says about this school. This is a great school. Everyone says the teachers are bad.......they are not at all. They prepare you for high school. Just ignore anyone that says this is a bad school because it is not. The athletics are great here. The people who write bad reviews don't know what they are talking about. We have many academic activities. When I graduate I will miss this school so much. I feel like I am at home when I'm here. This is a great school period.”

“wow! I didn't know we were not the only family that felt that St. Mark's has serious issues! It is true...Athletics is mismanaged. The middle school needs a major housecleaning. Uniforms are the big joke in the community. Preferential treatment is a problem. Parent's are not listened to or taken seriously. (with the exception of a few) Not worth the money. We will not be going back. :(”

“St. Mark's is not moving in the right direction. We have been there for 6 years and have more than 1 child there. We agree with the parent that said a few parents are listened to and the rest are ignored. We also agree that the middle school is way too overcrowded and the middle school teaching staff needs some major overhauling. The sports used to be so good and in the past few years it has become a joke. So sad because St. Mark's has the potential to be so great. Mismanagement of the sports program goes unchecked. The Catholic education is 'ok'. Major reconstruction is in the plans and can't help but interfere with the school learning environment not to mention the safety aspect. We will not be returning to St. Mark's next year. It is just not worth the $$ anymore.”

“St. Mark's has thrived for 25 years. The middle school teachers are tough, but they prepare the students for high school, so that it is an easy transition. My daughter will be graduating this year and it will be hard to say goodbye.”

“Unfortunately we also agree that St. Mark's has not done well. Blue Ribbon just means they jumped though the appropriate hoops and the right time. It in not a true reflection of what St. Marks is really like. The emphasis on 8th grade graduation far out trumps the emphasis on 8th grade Confirmation. That is so backwards. St. Mark's had their priorities in the wrong order for sure.”

“We agree about the athletics at St. Mark's being substandard. Unfortunately, it seems that the new athletic director and the vice principal and principal are not interested in St. Mark's athletics being able to compete. The Catholic education is good but we also agree about the middle school teachers. They seem harsh and rigid and not al all approachable by both the students and the parents. If we had to do it all over again our kids would go to a different Catholic school.”

“We have also been disappointed with the fact that the athletics has gone downhill in the past 3 years. The primary teachers are good but a few of the middle school teachers are not at all. Down right mean! We will not be returning to St. Mark's next year.”

“If you are interested at all in above average athletics the is not the school for you. In the past 3-4 years, the athletics at St. Mark's has gone from very competitive and successful to below average and not able to compete. Elementary teachers are for the most part good but the middle school teachers need some big time changes. Catholic education is about average.”

“Great Blue Ribbon Catholic School in Plano. Down to earth families wanting a Catholic education and well rounded children. I love the the opportunites for parents to be involved and always welcome at the school.”

“Excellent religious education in school. Parent and child friendly atmosphere, along with sound discpline standards. Academic programs are on par with top public schools. They don't have a Gifted and Talented program which I miss for my child. Plenty of volunteer opportunities for parents. Do not require Teachers degree to teach here, which is a minus, though the teachers I've interacted with seem well qualified. My child loves the school.”