Developing a Course of Study

The St. Mark's curriculum provides a broad range of subjects for students to explore. Diploma requirements are relatively minimal, thus allowing students to balance depth and breadth in their course of study. Students need to think carefully about their course program from the time they enter St. Mark's so that they can make the most of the curricular opportunities available. Course planning at St. Mark's is a collaborative process involving discussions between the student, the student's family and the student's St. Mark's advisor. The director of studies and the college counselors also serve as resources for this important enterprise.

When planning a course of study, students should be aware that, normally, the most selective colleges expect to see certain courses on a transcript because of their beliefs about the best curricular preparation for the contemporary world. These courses include English every year (a diploma requirement), mathematics every year, modern or classical language for three years or more, a year long course in physics, chemistry, and biology, and two years of history. At St. Mark's, we believe that a year of study in religion and in the arts, at a minimum, are also essential for the best preparation for the contemporary world. Our diploma requirements reflect this belief. Many students who enroll at the most selective colleges choose to take programs of study that do not adhere to the normal college expectations. These students, typically, follow a passion, taking the best advantage of curricular offerings in a subject or subjects of particular interest. Some students choose to take three years of Latin and two years of Greek, for example, in order to graduate with our Classics Diploma; other students take three years of art or three years of history. We encourage students to deviate from what colleges normally expect as long as the choices are made thoughtfully, and we stand ready to help each student think carefully in order to make the choices that are best for him or her.