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

ELEMENTARY – Students in grades K-5 have weekly classes in:
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,
and weekly for 3rd – 5th grades. There is also a pull-out portion offered to students for 3rd – 5th grades.

Band is offered beginning in the 4th grade. Band includes classes and group lessons in their instrument.
Dance is offered on a quarterly basis to all grade levels.

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
Study Skills
Healthful Living
Computer
Spanish

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 MACS

Chorus: 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
Physical Education
Spanish
Speech

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 MACS

Chorus: 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
Physical Education
Research
Spanish

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 MACS

Chorus: 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, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Spanish Club, Science Olympiad, Student Council, Chess Club, Accelerated Reader, Yearbook, Band, Choir, Junior Achievement, Alter Servers, and Musical Theater.

Learning Support

The Learning Support Program of the Mecklenburg 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 Learning Support Program was created for the purpose of addressing the individual learning needs of our students. At St. Mark there are three Learning Support teachers, who are certified and experienced in working with specific learning needs.

The Mission of the Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools’ Learning Support 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.