St. Mark's believes in a holistic education by encouraging students to challenge themselves in the classrooms, on the playing fields and in the art studios. 

 

On any given weekend, a Marksman may lead the football team as a quarterback and then perform Choral Evensong with the choir. Boys learn skills in the wood and metal workshop that also help them build award-winning robots in the Makerspace. And the star of the spring musical might also be captain of the Quiz Bowl team. St. Mark’s encourages each boy to follow his own curiosities in pursuing one of the 54 fine arts courses offered.  

As the Statement of Purpose affirms, the School strives “to be a diverse community of teachers and students who share a love of learning and who strive for high achievement in whatever they undertake." St. Mark’s artists regularly rank among the top in their discipline, from the best-in-state photography program to Presidential Scholars in the Art. Alumni who pursue the arts professionally include an Academy Award-winning actor, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame musician and the screenwriter of several blockbuster Hollywood films.  

In recent years, dozens of Marksmen have earned recognition from YoungArts, an organization that identifies the top student artists in the nation and is the exclusive nominating body for the Presidential Scholar in the Arts. Since 2004, 25 Marksman have been named Young Arts “Winners With Distinction,” including four who went on to become Presidential Scholars in the Arts.

Students are introduced to the arts in first grade and are provided an ever-increasing array of creative disciplines to delve into as their career progresses at St. Mark's. Many boys discover hidden talents through the arts and go on to great creative accomplishments.