This is the worst school my child has ever attended. The teachers (aside for a few) are absolutely terrible. For example Ms. Heathcoat has caused so much trouble with my kids for getting them in trouble. The teachers make false claims AND they suck! read more

We are so happy at St Mark school in Venice. The academics are excellent and in grade 5 they start the middle school program early with our child experiencing a number of different teachers for science, math, social studies, prepping them early. The team sports program is great with lots of after school activities on offer too. The family community is very welcoming and helped us transition with ease. The fall festival was amazing and many other fun activities for children like the lion Olympics a day of sports fun. Mr Bersin the principal is so hands on and is always around to sort out any problems and keep things moving in the right direction. Overall a well rounded school with many positives. Also love attending morning assembly and it's easy to stay up to date with what's going on. The children all seem very happy with bright energy. read more

St. Mark Catholic Church is a beautiful church located in Venice, California, blocks away from Venice Beach. I grew going to this church, attended St. Mark Elementary (as did my mom and 4 siblings), and my grandmother even worked in the religious education office. It's safe to say that I know this place like the back of my hand. St. Mark is a great church to belong to if you like being a part of something big, a wonderful community where everyone is made welcome. The masses are beautiful, and the priests are really awesome and funny.. which makes the masses bearable, lol. There are always cool events going on like the church carnival, Parrish picnic, Mardi Gras celebration, potlucks, etc., and it's easy to meet new friends :) There are prayer groups, Catechism/Confirmation classes, the Knight of Columbus, something for everyone to get into. Definitely worth checking out if you're looking for a Catholic church. read more

A day after my oldest finished here in May 2016, I found myself incredibly angry about the experience of both my children at St. Mark. I posted a really long, testy and negative review about our family's experience. Two years later I thought I would revisit it to see is the passage of time had abated my strong feelings. My conclusion is yes and no. Almost immediately with arrival of the new principal in 2013, the climate of the school understandably and expectedly changed. Unfortunately for me and my family, it didn't change for the better. What had attracted me to the school the prior year was the smaller class size, the emphasis on spirituality and the relatively gentle nature of the children and their parents. Very quickly, after the change administration, the atmosphere became less of a Catholic school than a typical Westside prep school. We could have chosen the high-priced private prep school route, we had just left that kind of situation behind in Studio City because I had made a conscious decision to seek out something different that was a better reflection of the values I wanted to raise my daughters with. Fairly quickly, my children, who are of mixed race, began to be the targets of bullying in general and also racial bullying. It was never addressed and dealt with. Each time we attempted to raise our concerns, we found our concerns were downplayed . My younger daughter who is on the ASD spectrum but exceptionally high functioning was treated particularly badly. The bullying campaign was so negative, and the response so ineffectual, I withdrew her after 5th grade to give her a break. When public school turned out to be an unqualified disaster, I reached out to the principal about reenrolling her since her sister remained at the school as an eighth grader and several of the kids who had been a problem for her had actually left when she did, the principal said she would not allow her to return. This was not only both my children's school for the past four years this was our parish school! My daughter had never been a behavioral problem for her teachers and until the change in administration she was an A student. It took a lot for us to remain with the parish after that as I felt our church had turned it's back on us because my daughter was an inconvenience. I had to consciously separate my feeling about our parish from my feelings about the school and it's been that way ever since. Fortunately we were able to find a wonderful, diverse Catholic school for her where she's done very well . My older daughter also became the target of racial bullying. She was targeted by a young lady whose athletic abilities made her very popular with the school administration. The bullying went unchecked until the very last day; my oldest daughter was actually openly heckled by this girl and her family as she processed into the church at their eighth grade graduation ceremony. She left St. Mark for an all girls Catholic school away from the Westside. She's flourishing there. The final insult was when the principal and her secretary were speaking negatively about me and so indiscreetly that they made the comments within earshot of my daughter and her friend. My daughter was so upset and embarrassed to come home to report that they had heard her remarks ending with "well you know it's that mother of hers". Really? Two stars are for the quality of education I do have to concede my kids received there. My older daughter was well prepared for her high school admissions exams. Still, all things considered, I'd never send a special needs child there nor a child of color. They simply will not be protected or respected there. read more

St. Mark School is a gem. It truly is the "Pride of Venice". My two children were attending a Charter school in Mar Vista when we decided to check out SMS. We were not expecting much when we visited, but then we were blown away and decided to apply. Thank goodness we did! Both of my children were so relieved to leave behind the stress and chaos of their previous school and enter the happy, calm environment of St. Mark. Our family was welcomed instantly - from day one - by the kind parents in our childrens' classrooms. The community at SMS is warm, welcoming, and loving. I can't say enough good things about it. We just feel super lucky to have found it! read more

I have never written a yelp review, but was alarmed when I read the notes about Saint Mark school and wanted to make sure that the truth was told. My child came from our neighborhood LAUSD elementary school next door to Saint Mark. Little did I know how lucky I was to fall upon the doors of a perfect gem of a school, blocks from my house. Because my child entered the school with special physical needs, the principal and entire staff made great preparation and effort to make sure that my child could both socially and academically succeed. The teachers extended themselves far beyond the school day to make sure that homework was understood. The students and classmates helped carry backpacks, open doors, take a hand to walk through church at Friday Mass. All of these acts of kindness were never out of self pity or forced upon from the teachers. Rather a positive reinforcing voice from the principal, the most genuine, stable person and educator that I was fortunate to have had guide my child through school. Saint Mark is a school where the principal, teachers and staff teach at the school because they love what they do. These are teachers, who attended the school themselves and have returned home. Others, such as the principal and hand picked teachers come from top notch westside private schools and universities. These people are excellent educators and know what your child needs academically, sometimes even more then a parent might want to hear. When I came to Saint Mark, they asked me to trust them, and they would take care of my child. Through the years of fantastic academics, teachers with caring loving advice, supportive students lead by a principal that is steadfast and solid in her christian beliefs and strong morals, Saint Mark school kept its word. Last June, as my child read the graduation speech, receiving an award for her academic endurance, she graduated and is now attending a catholic college preparatory academy. It was through the effort of a little gem of a school with incredible teachers, staff and principal that allowed my child to become who she wanted to be. A school thats foundation lies on Christian beliefs, strong moral character, solid academics, and a loving family environment. As everything else around the Westside fluctuates and changes with trends, Saint Mark school will stand strong and steady with the test of time. Thank you Saint Mark! read more

I toured this school and it seemed like a pleasant place for my child. I had numerous phone calls and emails with the administration, and they just didn't seem warm or genuine. I still gave them the benefit of the doubt. On one occasion I needed to reschedule a meeting and they flat out declined. First time I've experience such hostile attitude from an institution that prides themselves on Catholic values. There's just something off about St. Marks and I can't put my finger on it. In hindsight, I'm so happy we made the decision to put my daughter in a different private school. read more

Our daughter has been in St Mark for 3 years now and we LOVE it. It is a real community. The school has created the right balance of faith and education which was important to us. The added bonus is that it is supported by the parents that enthusiastically get involved - donating their time and their talent to the development of the school. Morning assembly sets every day off on the right path with prayers, pledge of allegiance, and a peace builders pledge. Having only been in one school in Los Angeles, I cant compare it to others, but we couldn't be happier here. read more

Absolutely the worst place to send you child - DON'T DO it!! If I could rate zero stars that would appropriate. Unlike the one star review below, my child is not a child of color. The class my child attended had over 30 students (2/3 girls and 1/3 boys). Why the imbalance? Follow the money. 32 kids in one small classroom would be difficult to control by two teachers unless almost 2/3 were girls and discipline quickly and harshly administered. Docile, dull eyed, automatons need only apply. Don't send you happy, creative, joyful children here as their lust for life will be incrementally programmed out of them. The teaching style is old school - teaching from the front of the class room, not interesting, dynamic or engaged. Report cards are unprofessional (verging on a laughable) as the information on the report card is often inconsistent (both positive and negative) from what you are subsequently told in parent teacher conferences. The administration will not respond to direct and specific email questions. Rather a meeting will be schedule that will be filled with pandering double speak without substance or conclusion. When you do receive a reply email it will, for the most part, be a self-serving, CYA, document with scolding overtones, that does not advance the conversation and again does not respond to the direct and unambiguous questions asked. Both the teachers and the administration are some of the least professional people I have dealt in years. PLEASE, do your child (and yourself) a BIG favor and send him/her to a school that is interested in educating and growing young creative minds. read more

As a parent of three St. Mark students, I wouldn't send them anywhere else. Although they are still very young (TK-2nd), we haven't experienced the possibility of any bullying or other social wrong-doings. I feel those things exist in every school and it's up to the administration and teachers, specifically, to address these things and tackle them as they come across. This school isn't just a school, it's almost like family. I know most parents in my children's classes by name and have developed many great friendships! Academically, I am very impressed with my children's math and reading thus far. Love this school!! read more

We love St. Mark School. Our two kids have benefitted from an outstanding principal and her ability to engage staff, students, and parents. There are several things that stand out about St. Mark School. One is that it is a small school, and while I feared the size would be stifling it has actually proved to be wonderful. I have quickly gotten to know every parent and student in my kids' classrooms. My experience has echoed that of others at the school - each child is "seen," and when there are academic or social issues they are able to be addressed quickly. I'm a big fan of the Peacebuilder program at the school, which is not just a poster on the wall but a theme embodied by an emphasis on kindness, helping others, and leading your peers to do the right thing in social situations. I have seen firsthand how kids (as young as first grade) will go out of their way to include an outsider and focus on friendship. Lastly, I appreciate that the teachers are innovative in their teaching methods. The teachers often have the kids work on group projects and implement elements of Columbia University's Reading & Writing Project to ensure we are raising kids who are not just memorizers, but deep thinkers. I could go on about the great community and more, but I'll stop myself here. Check out an open house if you are looking for a great Catholic school on the Westside with, comparatively speaking, affordable tuition. read more

As a parent of two children at St Mark we have been incredibly happy with not only the education our children have received, but also the school community as a whole. St Mark understands the importance of educating the whole child and has empowered their students to seek and build peace in a meaningful way. Through the practice of mindfulness our kids have learned to listen instead of react-- what a gift in this charged world! Engaged schools are critical for success in today's world and need to focus not only on imparting knowledge but building skills, attitudes, values and ethics that are critically important as kids grow-- St Mark does that in spades. We feel so lucky to have found this gem of a school and the many wonderful educators, parents and children who build this great community. read more

St. Marks' is such a wonderful church. The congregation is so welcoming. I love attending their 10:30 choir mass .

Our son really enjoyed his experience at St. Mark School. We were there for only two years - 7th and 8th grades - but he really thrived during that time. He made a number of friends and played sports, like basketball and football, that he had never played before at previous schools, and grew in his academic and personal confidence. As an African American family, we originally thought it was a bit of a leap for us to come to Venice for school. From pre-K to 5th grade, our son went to a strong and highly rated charter school in Inglewood, where he did well academically. After the 5th grade, however, we decided it was important for him to explore his Catholic identity, so we first sent him to a Catholic middle school in Westchester for the 6th grade. The school did not work out for us because of significant staff turmoil at the time. A friend from work strongly recommended St. Mark School and, after a visit and conversation with the school's wonderful principal, we were convinced it was the right place for our son. I have read with concern a review about the racial climate at the school. I would never deny the personal experiences of anyone; however, we did not have such experiences ourselves and our son was always positive and happy with his teachers and classmates. His language arts teacher was superb; the athletic director constantly stressed accountability and team work; the administrative staff was helpful and supportive; the parents were committed and friendly. Our son was eventually accepted to Loyola High School. I would highly recommend the school to anyone who wants their child to have a strong academic and social experience. read more

Choosing a school for your child is no easy task. I have struck out so I know what it feels like to not feel as though your child is getting what they need. I have had all of my children in St. Mark for 5 years (it is TK-8) and it has been a very positive experience. This school is growing exponentially in terms of the education it provides to the students and families. It is exceptional, that's really all I can say. If you are at all considering this school for your child, take a tour, talk to some families, visit the campus. We love SMS. read more

Our daughter has been going to St. Mark for 5 years. She started in TK and is now in 3rd grade and she loves it. The teachers are kind, professional, and attentive. The class size is small enough for individual attention but large enough to make it feel like a "classroom". The school is very structured, and although the building is old they are very good at keeping up with technology. Kids have access to Ipads, teachers use Audio Video media in their curriculum, and there are more than enough after school activities to go around. The school blends the Catholic ideology with the overall curriculum in a very unobtrusive way. Kids have a half day on Friday (I believe public school do this mid week) where they go to Church for an hour then go back to class for the remainder of the day. The school's incorporation We were nervous when sending our little one to school for the first time, and are now so very happy that we chose St. Marks. read more

St. Mark School is a gem in the heart of Venice. They are adding a Transitional Kindergarten and they go up to 8th grade. This school has high academic standards, excellent teachers and staff as well as a loving, nurturing environment. It is rich in traditions and pride. After a comprehensive and thorough school search for my children, we chose SMS and could not be more thrilled. It is a private education with an amazing community of families. The parish is thriving and a dedicated partner of the school. Thank you SMS! read more