St. Mark’s Middle School Grades 6-8
Welcome from the Head of Middle School
Middle School can often be an exciting, but equally precarious moment in the life of students as they desire both independence and support throughout their journey. Our Middle School learning program has been purposely designed to cater to the developmental needs of the student.
In addition to our robust academic program, we encourage students to flourish outside of the classroom through a variety of bespoke opportunities in keeping with our core values and mission.
St. Mark’s graduates are academically prepared with a strong sense of community, independence, and responsibility. Equipped with the skills to be successful and an understanding of the importance of service, we not only ensure students are ready for the next stage of their learning journey, but that they are also ready to succeed as leaders and role models in the wider world.
We pride ourselves on having a safe and close community, one in which all students are known by name and made to feel like family.
It would be our pleasure to welcome you on campus to learn more about us, our culture, and to see all the great things we do first hand!
Mr. Marco Cirillo Head of Middle School
Middle School Goals
• Provide inspirational teaching to ensure students develop into effective, passionate, lifelong learners
• Ensure students actively practice the honor code
• Make certain all students are exposed to a broad and balanced learning program that provides authentic learning opportunities and real-world experiences that prepares them for the next phase of school and beyond
• Provide all students with the appropriate support required to meet the developmental needs of middle schoolers
Key goals of St. Mark’s Middle School:
St. Mark’s Middle School Learning Program
St. Mark’s learning program consists of four distinct elements academics, electives, service and leadership, and social-emotional education all of which provide our students with a complete, values-based education in keeping with the Episcopal tradition.
The academic program provides students with a stimulating and challenging experience that is differentiated to allow for differing learning styles, which prepares them for the rigorous challenges of high school and college.
As students progress to middle school, they refine the core interdisciplinary skills initiated in primary school. They have more subject specialist teachers guiding them in fundamental subject-specific skills required for higher studies.
Students are still exposed to a broad and balanced range of subjects and electives to ensure they graduate well rounded and ready for the opportunities which lie ahead.
St. Mark’s learning program is underpinned by our Portrait of a Graduate characteristics (page 10). These characteristics are the foundation of what it means to be a St Mark's student. They are woven into our fabric and help our students have a distinct identity. Each grade level has a bespoke learning program comprising of core subjects, core enrichment, and electives. Our core subjects are the traditional "bread and butter" of any academic program, delivered in engaging and interactive ways. Our core enrichment are subjects which are academically challenging, promote development of key skills, and help students make sense of the world we live in today. Finally, our elective pathways allow students autonomy over their learning and to pursue a key passion or particular interest they may have.
Grade 6
Grade 6: Bespoke courses are designed to assure a smooth and supportive transition from Lower School to Middle School, while at the same time encouraging students to continue to develop intellectual curiosity and a genuine love for learning.
Portrait of a Graduate Grade 7
Grade 7: Courses are designed to allow students the opportunity to build on the concepts learned in grade 6. While we still support students, we recognize that as individuals they are undergoing change. Academically, they are becoming more independent and responsible for their learning; subsequently, our courses are designed to reflect this with more student autonomy.
Grade 8
Grade 8: Our program is designed to give students the opportunity to develop a sense of metacognition in order to effectively reflect on the learning process. Expectations with regards to process and end product of the learning process have risen significantly in line with high school expectations.
Portrait of a Graduate Middle School Electives Program | Year-Long Electives
St. Mark’s elective program is designed to give students autonomy over their learning. Students have the choice between two distinct pathways: pathway 1 (year-long) and pathway 2 (quarterly). Each elective is allocated two periods per week. These electives are not grade specific, and as such, classes will be vertical. Students must complete an elective form to sign up for electives.
Year-long elective choices require a year-long commitment.
Art Course
This course encourages personal expression and inventive thinking through the imaginative exploration of art materials and methods. The program emphasizes a genuine art studio experience that integrates iteration, creative thinking, and divergent responses. Assignments encourage students to expand their artistic skills, broaden their visual perception, and develop facilities with a range of media. The assignments are structured and sequential, building vertically while a variety of creative responses is expected. The studio environment fosters a sense of joy, community, compassion, and respect for every student’s work process and creations. By introducing artists whose work is intriguing, we teach art history in a dynamic, hands-on manner. The artwork is visually compelling in its aesthetic and sense of design and diverse in culture, ethnicity, gender, style, time period, and media.
Algebra 2 Course*
This honors, high-school-credit course challenges students to reason logically and think abstractly while building on algebraic and geometric concepts. It develops advanced algebra skills such as systems of equations, advanced polynomials, imaginary and complex numbers, quadratics, and includes the study of trigonometric functions. It also introduces matrices and their properties.
Write on Track: St. Mark’s Songwriter Studio
In this course, students will learn the many parts that make up the songs we love, sample genres of music, and learn musical vocabulary. Students will practice creative writing skills through poetry and lyric writing. It will examine what has made famous songwriters successful and explore songwriting techniques. Students will write, help produce, and share their original songs that will gradually grow in complexity, depth, and creativity.
This elective is for the student who:
• Loves music, plays an instrument, or sings
• Enjoys writing, reading poetry, creating art, and working with technology
• Works well as part of a team, supports those around them, and is comfortable sharing their own musical ideas in a group
The year-long elective choices continue on page 8.
*By invitation only for 8th grade
Year-Long Electives | Quarterly Electives
European Culture and Language Immersion Course
In this course, students will discover several European countries from a regional and cultural perspective. Simulating real-world contexts and enhancing language skills (Italian and French), the students will engage in thematic workshops reflecting regional crafts and culinary traditions. The assignments will be varied, often hands-on, and instructive.
The focus of this class is to increase cultural understanding and global perspectives as we connect to practices through experiential learning. This is a great class for the eventual, curious globetrotter.
Quarterly Electives
Students choose any four electives. Students are not able to repeat elective choices, and hence must have four different choices. Given Study Hall is designed to help students when a particular sports season begins, they are permitted to request the specific quarter which will benefit them most.
Study Hall
Students will have the opportunity to use a study hall period to help accommodate the demands of their extra curricular activities. We recommend aligning this elective with a particular sports season / busy time in the calendar to ensure students are able to complete the demands of our academic program and fulfill obligations associated with personal interests.
Personal Fitness
This course will introduce exercise science, nutrition, human anatomy, and more to provide students a foundation for a healthy lifestyle. Students will learn and apply health conscious principles by setting goals, tracking diet, creating and performing a realistic exercise program, and learning about human muscular anatomy.
Florida Environment
This elective is designed to explore the Florida environment, including coastal systems, freshwater systems, and upland systems. It is a hands-on course where students will immerse themselves in the different ecosystems and native flora and fauna. This course will also include some of the pertinent societal vs. environmental issues found today in our state such as restoration issues.
Media Production
This elective is designed for the study and practice of the basic elements of broadcasting and videomaking technology including pre-production (including storyboarding and scriptwriting), video recording, shots, lighting, audio, and post-production (including editing and distribution). Students will help produce the morning announcements show.
Portrait of a Graduate Quarterly Electives
Study Skills
This elective would provide practical strategies, tools, and resources to help students stay organized not just in school, but in all aspects of their lives. With a focus on fostering independence and responsibility. Students will learn and apply how to effectively manage their time, keep track of assignments, and declutter their study spaces.
Digital Photography
This elective teaches students how to take incredible photographs with the only camera they’re sure to have on them at all times their smartphones! From mastering composition to understanding lighting, students will learn the fundamentals of photography and how to apply them to capture images on their digital devices. Students will engage in hands-on activities and creative projects delving into various photography genres, including portrait, landscape, and still life. The course will also cover the basics of photo editing using popular apps, allowing students to enhance their photographs and express their creativity digitally. Should students not be equipped with their own smartphones, iPads will be provided.
Public Speaking/Communications
Students will learn the skills and strategies necessary to prepare and deliver impromptu, narrative, informative, and persuasive speeches. Special consideration is given to identifying personal communication styles. This course emphasizes how to compose meaningful and coherent messages; listen attentively and actively; conduct responsible research on appropriate topics; and how to argue, develop, and polish effective presentation skills. We will also tackle and quash the ever-popular: STAGE FRIGHT!
St. Mark’s Portrait of a Graduate
St. Mark’s Portrait of a Graduate represents St. Mark’s vision for the skills, character traits, and social-emotional competencies that students need to succeed in high school, college, career, and life.
Portrait of a Graduate St. Mark’s Portrait of a Graduate
RESPECT: Student shows acceptance of their peers, themselves, adults, and their environment
PERSEVERANCE: Student is open to learning and willing to try new things, accepts feedback and demonstrates tenacity
CRITICAL THINKING: Student analyzes and interprets information from different perspectives to form an argument, solve a problem, or reach a conclusion
LEADERSHIP: Student promotes ownership, community, and cohesiveness among class members having a goal in mind and reaching it by planning, and is a positive role model for others
ACCOUNTABILITY: Student is self-motivated, sets goals, and works to accomplish goals with self awareness of their actions and attitudes
INTEGRITY: Student makes ethical and honest decisions and is willing to do what is right even when faced with obstacles or difficulties
COLLABORATION: Student works with peers and adults in an atmosphere of support to systematically solve existing and emerging problems as a team using positive and appropriate group communication skills
SERVICE: Student demonstrates commitment to service in the local and global community
SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT: Student is proud, confident, and engages in opportunities for spiritual growth and development with a personal connection to God and upholds the community covenant
KINDNESS: Student is friendly, considerate, compassionate, empathetic and accepting of others’ thoughts, ideas, feelings, and emotions
Beginning the Journey to High School
The Head of Middle School has joined forces with the St. Mark’s Enrollment Office to guide rising 8th grade students through the High School admission process. The goal is to reduce the stress and anxiety that comes with reaching this major milestone in a middle schooler’s life.
St. Mark’s has developed a step-by-step guide, Beginning the Journey to High School: The Application Road Map, that includes key dates, action steps, and important materials to gather to begin a successful journey to high school.
The application process checklist includes the following:
• Review the important action items and calendar the key dates
• Tour high schools
• Gather application materials
• Attend test preparation sessions
• Attend parent consultations
• Complete and submit student applications
• Make your high school decision
• Show your school pride
Portrait of a Graduate St. Mark’s Mission Statement
The mission of St. Mark’s Episcopal School is to provide an academically enriched program in a nurturing Christian environment.
Why Our Students Love St. Mark’s...
“I love St. Mark's because of the sense of community and I have made lifelong friendships. I also love St. Mark's because I get to do more than just be a student. I get to have a strong relationship with God, be a student ambassador, volunteer with the younger students, and play sports.“
-St. Mark’s 6th grade student
“I love how all the teachers want you to do well and encourage you to push yourself. They are easy to talk to and ask for help when needed.”
-St. Mark’s 7th grade student
“St. Mark’s is an amazing place to go to school! I love knowing everyone at school and having our family like community! The teachers are awesome! Lions Pride for all the middle school sports teams is so fun as well as spirit week with wacky Wednesday just to name one. Our church is also a big part of what makes St. Mark’s! Father Groff’s stories are the best and make church fun! At St. Mark’s, we have it ALL!”
-St. Mark’s 7th grade student
“The teachers go above and beyond to make sure that every student's needs are met. They are caring and always willing to provide support to help students succeed. I am grateful for the strong sense of community that St. Mark’s made. The school ensures that every student feels welcome and valued.”
-St. Mark’s 7th grade student
“I love St. Mark’s because the teachers have always been great to work with and are patient and kind. They have taught me to be compassionate, given me optimism and discipline. I think that I will be extremely prepared for ninth grade and that is because of the amazing teachers.”
-St. Mark’s 8th grade student
Popular High School Placements
American Heritage
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Oxbridge Academy
The Pine School
Palm Beach Gardens High School
Suncoast Community High School
William T. Dwyer High School
St. Mark’s Episcopal School provides an academically enriched program in a nurturing Christian environment.
St. Mark’s Episcopal School | 3395 Burns Road, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 561.622.1504 | www.stmarkspbg.org