AT THE HEART OF OUR CURRICULUM:
OUR CATHOLIC FAITH
St. Mark offers a comprehensive course of study designed to implement our mission of education. At the heart of our curriculum is the study of our Catholic faith. Our Religion curriculum follows that of the General Catechetical Directory. In all other areas of the curriculum, Saint Mark aligns itself with the Standard Course of Study as outlined by the State of North Carolina. Main curriculum courses include Religious Education, STEM, Mathematics, Social Studies, Language Arts, Science, Computer, Foreign Language, and Physical Education.
Elective Classes
| Spanish Computer Physical Education Art Music Library |
In addition, Guidance classes are provided bi-weekly. Additional electives at the Elementary level are offered as follows:
STEM (Learning Enrichment Activities Program) is provided for grades 1-5. Bi-weekly for 1st and 2nd grade, Band is offered beginning in the 4th grade. Band includes classes and group lessons in their instrument. |
SIXTH GRADE – A combination of required and optional electives complete the Middle school curriculum. Dance is offered on a quarterly basis to all grade level as an additional elective.
| Required
Physical Education |
Band: This class will continue to develop musicianship skills and instrumental techniques through the performance of both classical and popular music. This class requires registration through MACSChorus: This is a performance based class. Students will be performing in multiple school concerts for families and the school community. In addition, choral groups may also participate in singing during Mass. If scheduling can accommodate, Chorus will transition to a full year class from a semester class.Intro to Musical Theater: This course is replacing General Music to satisfy student interest in school based productions. Each student will discover and analyze popular scenes throughout musical history, create a variety of characters, and learn about the roles not only of actors, but tech, design and behind the scenes. Class size will be limited.Art Applications: Students will be exposed to various art elements such as color theory, design and work with a variety of artistic mediums. Projects and mediums vary grade to grade. Intro to Multimedia: This class will focus on the use of broadcasting tools and communication. Students will learn about production, script writing, audio and video mixing to generate podcasts and videos for school.Intro to STEM: STEM will be a project based learning environment that will promote creative solutions to class generated real world problems. Students will collaborate to work on research, model and project design. |
SEVENTH GRADE – A combination of required and optional electives complete the Middle school curriculum. Dance is offered on a quarterly basis to all grade level as an additional elective.
| Required
Healthful Living |
Band: This class will continue to develop musicianship skills and instrumental techniques through the performance of both classical and popular music. This class requires registration through MACSChorus: This is a performance based class. Students will be performing in multiple school concerts for families and the school community. In addition, choral groups may also participate in singing during Mass. Chorus is a year long class.Art Applications: Students will be exposed to various art elements such as color theory, design and work with a variety of artistic mediums. Projects and mediums vary grade to grade.Yearbook I: This introductory course explores the fundamentals of yearbook design. Students will begin to learn the basics of photography, design, layout, sales and marketing for the production of the school yearbook. This course requires the student to complete an Encore Participation Form. This form is due by June 2nd, in hard copy, to the front office. Forms will be available through the homeroom teacher via Google Classroom.Multimedia: This class will focus on the use of broadcasting tools and communication. Students will learn about production, script writing, audio and video mixing to generate podcasts and videos for school.STEM: STEM will be a project based learning environment that will promote creative solutions to class generated problems. Students will collaborate to work on research, model and project design. |
EIGHTH GRADE – A combination of required and optional electives complete the Middle school curriculum. Dance is offered on a quarterly basis to all grade level as an additional elective.
| Required
Healthful Living |
Band: This class will continue to develop musicianship skills and instrumental techniques through the performance of both classical and popular music. This class requires registration through MACSChorus: This is a performance based class. Students will be performing in multiple school concerts for families and the school community. In addition, choral groups may also participate in singing during Mass. Chorus meets for a full year.Yearbook II : This course picks up from Yearbook I, which covered the fundamentals of yearbook design. Students in this advanced section will be required to complete an Encore Participation Form. This form is due by June 2nd, in hard copy, to the front office. Forms will be available through the homeroom teacher via Google Classroom. Yearbook II will be responsible for the production of the school yearbook and will require more in depth involvement by participating students. Students will focus not only on photography, but also design, layout, marketing and sales. Students who have already experienced Yearbook I in 7th grade are encouraged to continue in Yearbook II. Students with experience from Yearbook I preferred.Art Applications: Students will be exposed to various art elements such as color theory, design and work with a variety of artistic mediums. Projects and mediums vary grade to grade. Journey of Choices: a new class designed specifically for rising 8th graders. Journey of Choices is intended to offer a project based learning setting for students to learn the basics of financial literacy/ budgeting/investment. In addition, students will explore career and entrepreneurial options as they prepare for high school and beyond.Applied Technology: this class will delve into multiple computer coding languages, such as HTML and Python. The class will center on project based learning to produce web platforms, gaming programing and exposure to robotics design.Iron Lions: An advanced physical education class focusing on fitness and higher-level team games. Students in this class must be willing to push themselves, set goals, and be accountable for their progress. This counts as an elective and will be in addition to the regular 8th grade PE class. If you are interested in this course, you must complete an Encore Participation form. Forms will be available through the homeroom teacher via Google Classroom. This form is due by June 2nd, in hard copy, to the front office for review by the teacher. |
Fine Arts
“Engaging in the Arts can spark the imagination in a way that can change a child’s life forever, revealing God-given talent or new artistic worlds to conquer.” At St. Mark, we offer band, visual arts, music, choir, dance, and musical theater to stimulate creativity and imagination. Student artwork – including ceramics, paintings, sculptures, and drawings – is displayed in the hallways throughout the year. Middle school students are given the ability to schedule one-on-one musical help and practice.
Clubs and Activities
St. Mark engages students by offering a wide variety of extracurricular activities and clubs, including, but not limited to: Lego Club, Girls on the Run, Math Counts, Let Me Run, Scouts of America, Girl Scouts, Spanish Club, Science Olympiad, Student Council, Chess Club, Yearbook, Band, Choir, Junior Achievement, Alter Servers, and Musical Theater.
Academic Achievement Program
The Academic Achievement Program of the Area Catholic Schools is a regional program established in each of our nine schools: St. Matthews, Our Lady of the Assumption, St. Ann, St. Gabriel, St. Mark, Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School, Christ the King, St. Patrick, and Charlotte Catholic High School. The Academic Achievement Program was created for the purpose of addressing the individual learning needs of our students. At St. Mark there are three Academic Achievement Program teachers, who are certified and experienced in working with specific learning needs.
The Mission of the Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools’ Academic Achievement Program is to recognize and facilitate a successful learning environment for each student experiencing learning differences in the classroom.
Guidance and Counseling
The guidance and counseling program at St. Mark follows the belief that the school experience is a developmental process. Our counselors assist in fulfilling our mission statement by helping all students set and meet goals academically, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and socially. The St. Mark guidance and counseling program offers classroom guidance, group guidance, and counseling support for individual students. Guidance classes are provided on a bi-weekly basis to grades K-5, and on a weekly basis to grades 6-8.
After School Enrichment Program
Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools (MACS) has designed an After School Enrichment Program (ASEP) that provides a safe, supervised, child-centered environment for students in grades K-8, for a small fee. The program includes snacks, recreation and games, arts and crafts, holiday parties, and programs from outside groups. It also provides assistance and time to complete homework and school projects. ASEP runs from dismissal until 6:00 p.m on days school is in session. Registration forms are available on the MACS website and at the school.
