St. Mark Catholic School

Posted: February 23, 2026

If you value transparency and respect, avoid St. Mark. We spent over a year trying to engage with this school to no avail. Last year, I visited in person and the Admissions Director wouldn't even receive me.

Despite the cold start, we applied for 6th grade. We jumped through every hoop they required: our daughter took the evaluation exam and our family sat through the formal acceptance interview. We were fully vetted and ultimately accepted. During this process, I specifically asked about a school tour and was explicitly promised that a tour of the school in action would be available once my daughter was accepted. This proved to be a total bait and switch.

Once we were vetted, interviewed, and accepted, the story changed. The administration refused to allow us to see the campus during a school day, citing "security protocols." Instead, they offered a visit in May, which is well after enrollment deadlines for other schools have passed, and only to view empty classrooms. This is a clear tactic to trap families into enrolling without ever being allowed to see the actual school culture or vibe.

It is clear why they act this way. They had over 80 applications for only 15 openings in the 6th grade. Thanks to the influx of Florida scholarships, they know they will fill the spots regardless. They clearly feel they no longer need to be courteous or treat families with basic decency because they are no longer dependent on direct parental support.

As a Catholic, I am embarrassed that a Catholic institution treats families this way. While other Catholic schools in the area still prioritize dignity and the family-school bond, St. Mark has become a cold, elitist environment that treats vetted, interviewed families like a number. We turned down the acceptance. Do not waste your time jumping through their hoops.

Posted: February 23, 2026

Posted: February 23, 2026

Posted: February 23, 2026

Posted: February 23, 2026

Posted: February 23, 2026

Posted: February 23, 2026

Posted: February 23, 2026

Posted: December 11, 2024

St Mark overall is a wonderful school. The only problem that seems to be shared by many parents and students is the Art teacher. She has unrealistic expectations for the kids. Her grading system is absurd. The class should be treated same as the other specials (P.E., music, library). She has made my child hate Art and does not seem to care and is rude when you try to speak to her about it.

Posted: December 11, 2024

Posted: December 11, 2024

Posted: December 11, 2024

Posted: December 11, 2024

Posted: December 11, 2024

Posted: December 11, 2024

Posted: December 11, 2024

Posted: August 20, 2021

Posted: August 20, 2021

Posted: August 20, 2021

Posted: August 20, 2021

Posted: August 20, 2021

Posted: August 20, 2021

Posted: August 20, 2021

Posted: August 20, 2021

Overall great experience with this school. The teachers and administration are all wonderful and really cared about the kids' well-being. They instill into their students the importance of good character and a healthy relationship with God. My children always felt safe there and I knew they were in the best hands. My kids have gone on to do excellent in their High School education thanks to the foundation provided at St. Marks.

Posted: May 9, 2021

Posted: May 9, 2021

Posted: May 9, 2021

Posted: May 9, 2021

Posted: May 9, 2021

Posted: May 9, 2021

Posted: May 9, 2021

Posted: May 9, 2021

St Mark is not a good school. Their teachers do not teach and the principal does not seem to care. During the pandemic the teachers would give the parents a three minute video telling the parents what to go over with the child. Absolutely no teaching! The material was “busy work” and involve no learning of concepts. I was shocked at what kind of material is being taught at St Mark. They are at least 1-2 years behind any chosen academic year. When you bring this up to the principal and administration they just swipe it under the rug. I am thankful that the pandemic made me realize that St Mark was such an inferior school. I pulled my kids out as soon as the year was over and they have been doing great at another school where teachers actually teach.

Posted: March 12, 2021

Posted: March 12, 2021

Posted: March 12, 2021

Posted: March 12, 2021

Posted: March 12, 2021

Posted: March 12, 2021

Posted: March 12, 2021

Posted: March 12, 2021

The people that have written prior reviews seem to have personal vendettas against school personal, so take them with a grain of salt.
My kids have been attending St. Mark for almost 10 years and while it isn't a "perfect" school (what school is?), it's a place with a great atmosphere and caring staff. Academics are average but I am a firm believer that a smart kid will be smart anywhere he/she goes.
The parents at St. Mark a great community and if you're involved in the church, even better.
There are good and bad teachers, just like everywhere else.
I would recommend the school to anyone who asks.

Posted: May 18, 2017

Posted: May 18, 2017

Good school. Great staff who have been there for years!

Posted: May 17, 2017

Posted: May 17, 2017

Posted: May 17, 2017

Posted: May 17, 2017

Posted: May 17, 2017

Posted: October 9, 2016

My daughter has been going to school at St. Mark since Tweens and is now in PK 4. Although that's not too many years our experience has been good. Her teachers and assistants have been great and she seems to be advancing academically as much as others her age who are in other preschools. What I love about it is the friendships she's developed along the way which my other preschool friends haven't been as lucky.

Posted: May 4, 2016

My child has been attending St. Mark since she was in the tweens and I will be taking her out at the end of her kindergarten school year. The school lacks in academics. The teachers are horrible and don't have the methods or knowledge to adequately teacher. The assistance principle is incompetent, rude and the least helpful person in that school. She swears that her curriculum is comparable to other schools but as a public school teacher I would tell you that they are about a year behind. The only benefit to St. Mark are the family and friends you make along the way. However, my child's education is priority over friendship.

Posted: May 24, 2015

We had a terrible experience at this school! The staff and teachers are not nurturing at all! The academics are below average and they teach nothing. You're better off putting your child in the local public school than wasting your money at this school.

Posted: February 12, 2015

This school is great! The staff are extra dedicated. We have three children and seeing them grow in faith and with great principles of morals and love is priceless. We have never been happier with St. Mark Catholic School. When you see the 8th graders give you the tour of the school, all you think is in your children growing to be these kids one day, well educated with respect and Faith! Faith is priceless in this society now a days.

Posted: July 29, 2014

Academics at St. Mark are okay if your child is an independent learner. If you child struggles or needs more attention, he or she will not get that here. Class sizes are huge. Bullying issues are not addressed. Definite favoritism towards wealthier families. Many of the parents, students, and staff are snobs. Not a very friendly, Christian environment with the exception of some of the faculty. A few of the teachers are outstanding if you are luckily enough to get them; however, you cannot request teachers. Not worth the money when there are superior charter and public schools within a few miles of St. Mark. St. Mark's preschool, however, is excellent!

Posted: July 18, 2014

St Mark is the worst school ever. The teachers don't know how to teach, the students are rude, and the principal doesn't care about any problems you have. Bullying is an extremely common thing to encounter at this school. After switching schools, my children had trouble keeping up (despite them being gifted) due to the terrible education at this school. Everyone that works in the school shows favoritism towards the people who write the biggest check. If you want your kids to go to a good school, go anywhere but here. Going to St Mark is the worst decision any parents could ever make for their kids.

Posted: August 28, 2013

St. Mark's is an exceptional Catholic School where the students are nurtured from the moment they step through the doors until they graduate at 8th Grade. We have found St. Mark's to be a warm, nurturing school that encourages children to learn, learn, learn. The students are exposed to the traditional academics as well as phys.ed, music, technology, the arts and hands-on science. A variety of programs is available to all students to promote and foster a love of reading.

Posted: May 15, 2013

Terrible first impression I will not send my kids here. The lack of interest from the admissions office is so discouraging, I don't see how they get family's to enroll their children here.

Posted: January 24, 2013

Mrs Sandusky and her staff of dedicated teachers educate your kids in all standard subject matter, and more importantly they nurture them to excel in the Christian tradition of community. The teachers are excellent on every level. They are very hard working, they care and it shows.The result is a well-rounded, confident, and happy child. Its really a family atmosphere and you can just feel the positive vibe on campus. Parents care and get involved. Kids are well behaved and kind toward each other. It is a wonderful community that I highly recommend.

Posted: May 22, 2012

We are leaving after 7 years. Behavior problems are not addressed, curriculum is not updated, and technology is outdated. Unfortunately, with the huge debt the school helps the church pay for, it is unlikely things will improve soon. The financial statement shows that the SCHOOL gave $374,000 to the church last fiscal year.... Hard to improve with that kind of money going out the door. It's a shame, because the teachers and families are so wonderful!

Posted: July 28, 2011

i went to this school for 8 years from tweens to 4th grade and the teachers don't know how to teach almost everyone in my grade left and i left cause my brother almost failed math cause the teacher had a very strong accinent. I DO NOT SUGGEST THIS SCHOOL then i went to public school and i was so far behind it was crazy never ever go here

Posted: May 8, 2011

Nepotism,favoritism and the parent writing the biggest check gets the benefits. Bullying is at and all time high. Parents complain, and are just brushed away. Very high teacher turn over. School has had three assistant principals in five years. Can't seem to work with the principal.

Posted: January 23, 2011

Great School, great education, best staff and best people. Difficult to find a better Catholic education in Florida and probably in the Nation.