Middle School
Learn More about Life in Middle School
At St. Mark's, Middle School is for students who are in 5th through 8th Grade!
5th Grade
Task and time management | Organization | Independence and agency | Digital literacy
6th Grade
Study skills | Collaboration | Digital citizenship | Creative problem solving
7th Grade
Leadership | Taking initiative | Global awareness | Critical thinking | Collaborative problem solving
8th Grade
Leadership | Creativity and innovation | Civics and global awareness | Adaptability | Decision making
Middle School: Grades 5-8
Environment and Learning Focus
Zero Hour
Zero Hour is held before Advisory from 7:40-8:25 AM each day. Zero Hour expands our school day and broadens our ability to meet the varied needs of our students and families, providing advanced opportunities for our students who are ready for a challenge. We currently offer high school level Geometry, Advanced Art, and Musical Theater in Zero Hour.
Beyond Curriculum
The Middle School Program at St. Mark’s is designed to inspire learning and spark intellectual curiosity. Our high school preparatory curriculum supports the cultivation of knowledge, introducing experiential learning activities which aide in the development of critical thinking skills. Students are encouraged to take risks, look beyond personal fears, and passionately pursue their interests. Middle school students also participate in a robust electives program, advisory groups, Life 101, and rotation courses including art, music, religion, and physical education.
Service Learning and Character Building
All students participate in an Advisory, allowing them to discuss current adolescent topics, to emphasize our honor code, instill moral principles based on the Christian faith, to develop friendships with other students, and to complete outreach projects at school and in the community. St. Mark’s provides many service learning opportunities throughout the year for students to learn while giving to others. Middle School students also participate in Life 101, a safe place to talk about any issues that surround adolescents.
Opportunities for Excellence and Leadership
Our Middle School students are the leaders of our campus! Learn more about opportunities for excellence and leadership.
Athletic Opportunities
The athletics program for 5th through 8th grade students include girls volleyball, soccer, cross country, boys and girls basketball, swimming, track and field, baseball, golf, and tennis. St. Mark’s belongs to the Greater Houston Athletic Conference.
The Path to High School
Spring Trips
St. Mark's Episcopal Middle School students take out-of-town, overnight class trips every spring. This gives students the chance to stretch and grow their relationships while learning in new environments. Field trips are “electronics-free.”
5th Grade: Houston Museum of Natural Science, overnight
5th graders bond as a class through exploration, science, and a scavenger hunt. This trip helps grow relationships outside of the classroom as 5th graders apply the newfound freedom and responsibilities they've gained as middle school students.
6th Grade: Camp Allen for 3 days, 2 nights
6th graders focus on teamwork, learning about nature and ecosystems, and growing in their faith life as they hike various trails and "rough it" in Camp Allen. Students often cite the challenges and growth that happened on this trip as a highlight of middle school at St. Mark's.
7th Grade: San Francisco for 4 days, 3 nights
7th graders put into practice what they have learned about science and technology in this STEM-focused trip to San Francisco. Students visit Stanford University, the Golden Gate Bridge, and technology museums that teach them about how far we've come in innovation.
8th Grade: Washington, DC, for 5 days, 4 nights
8th graders represent St. Mark's at our nation's capitol and dress in their formal uniforms to tour the leading museums in the country. Students also visit Pennsylvania and the Amish country to visit cultures and learn about others in this trip that many students call their favorite memory at St. Mark's
Additionally, small field trips may be made during the school year as part of educational or service projects.
School Hours
5th through 8th Grade:
- Normal Day: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM (students may arrive beginning at 8:15 AM)
- Before School: 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM; register online
- After School: 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM; register online