Admission Frequently Asked Questions
Many questions arise as families get to know St. Mark’s and explore our admission process. Below you will find a list of frequently asked questions and answers. If you have additional questions, we invite you to contact the Admission Office at admissions@stmes.org or by phone at 713-667-7030.
- When should I submit my child's application for admission?
- How many new spaces become available at each grade level?
- Do you give priority admission consideration?
- What role does admission testing play in the admission process?
- How should I help prepare my child for admission testing?
- When do admission decisions go out?
- What does it mean to be in the wait pool?
- What areas of Houston do your students come from?
- What if my family is not Episcopalian?
- Do you offer before and after school care?
When should I submit my child's application for admission?
The Admission Office recommends prospective families submit an application for admission the fall preceding the year of intended enrollment. For example, if you wish to apply for admission for the 2019-2020 school year, an application should be submitted between September 2018 and the application deadline, January 11, 2019.
Admission decisions are not made based on application date, however it is important that families complete and submit an application by the January deadline to be considered in the first round of admission offers.
How many new spaces become available at each grade level?
St. Mark’s typically accepts a maximum of 24 students to the Preschool 2s each year; this number increases to a maximum of 36 for Preschool 3s. We increase to a maximum of 45 spaces for Pre-K and approximately 40 students in Kindergarten. We maintain approximately 40 students per grade in 1st through 4th grade, and expand to 45 students in 5th grade, then expanding to 54 students per grade in 6th through 8th grade.
Space available varies each year based on enrollment of the upcoming class. Our current families notify us by late February of their intent to re-enroll for next year. At that time we assess the space available for new applicants.
Do you give priority admission consideration?
What role does admission testing play in the admission process?
The St. Mark’s Admission Committee does not make admission decisions based solely on admission test scores. Instead, we utilize the information presented through admission test results as a piece of the puzzle in determining our ability to serve a child’s individual needs. We grant equal consideration to all parts of the admission process, including the information you provide in your child’s application, his or her school records, teacher recommendation forms, the observations made during a child’s visit here at St. Mark’s, and admission test results.
How should I help prepare my child for admission testing?
Students applying to Pre-K through 4th Grade are required to take the WPPSI or WISC test. These tests measure a child’s cognitive ability. We strongly discourage parents from enrolling their child in any form of WPPSI or WISC test preparation or tutoring as such exposure compromises the integrity of the test. If a tester discerns a child’s prior exposure, the test results will be considered invalid. In our experience, this type of preparation results in undue anxiety and often causes students to question their own abilities.
Middle school applicants are required to take the ISEE exam. This standardized assessment evaluates applicant’s skills, abilities and achievement against his or her peers. While we encourage parents to treat the testing in a relaxed manner, preparation and/or tutoring is allowed.
When do admission decisions go out?
Admission decisions for the 2018-2019 school year will be sent by mail on:
- March 7, 2019, for Preschool 2s, Preschool 3s, and Pre-K
- March 8, 2019 for Kindergarten through 8th grade
The deadline to respond to an admission offer is April 12, 2019. It is important that families complete and submit an application by the January deadline to be considered in the first round of admission offers. The admission file must be completed by February 8, 2019.
What does it mean to be in the wait pool?
St. Mark’s often has more qualified applicants than space available. If a child is not accepted due to space limitations, the admission file will be placed in a wait pool for the applicable school year. In the event space becomes available during the year, your child’s application will be considered at that time. Otherwise, you may request that your child’s application be placed in the pool of applicants for the next school year. Applicant files, including required admission documents, are valid for one school year.
What areas of Houston do your students come from?
What if my family is not Episcopalian?
The St. Mark’s community welcomes families of all faiths and traditions. Our inclusive nature creates an environment that helps students cultivate a deeper respect for all denominations and different religious beliefs as students share their own faith experiences. The objective of religious education at St. Mark’s is to help students experience and realize the spiritual dimension of life.
Do you offer before and after school care?
St. Mark’s offers before school care and after school care for students in Pre-K through 8th Grade. The before school care program begins at 7:00 AM and after school care is available through 6:00 PM.
Students in the Preschool 2s are with us for a half-day; school begins at 8:30 AM and regular dismissal is at 12:15 PM. We do offer a full day option for students in the Preschool 2s with dismissal at 2:30 PM.
Students in Preschool 3s are in school from 8:30 AM through 2:30 PM. We offer an Extended Day Program for a limited number of students in the Preschool 3s to extend their school day until 5:00 PM. Drop-in care is not available for this program.