School History and Overview
Father McGuire’s Dream and Parent Initiative
In the early 1960’s Father McGuire, assistant pastor of St. Mark, encouraged three parishioners—Colonel Phil Brady, Karl Kuhn, and William Manz—to approach Monsignor Oscar Poole, pastor of St. Mark Parish, and Bishop Richard Ackerman of Covington to get permission to build a Catholic school. Their determined efforts came to fruition when St. Mark Catholic School opened in 1966 with 35 students in grades one through four. Enrollment increased steadily as another grade was added each year until the school included all eight elementary grades.
Staff of Sisters and Lay Teachers
The school was staffed at the beginning by the Sisters of Notre Dame from Covington, KY; but gradually more lay teachers were hired until finally, by the fall of 1993, the entire school was staffed by lay teachers. The fall of 1998, however, did bring two Sisters of Divine Providence, one as first grade teacher and another as part-time librarian.
Enrollment Increase and Building Expansion
The 1981 school year saw the addition of a kindergarten when a number of parents again took the initiative and fixed up the first floor of the two-story house next to the present parish offices. Because of increased enrollment, the parish launched a building program in 1984 and added three new classrooms and a library to the present school building. To help fund the addition, the building housing the kindergarten was sold; the kindergarten was moved into the school. That same year brought the addition of a four-year-old program.
Parents as Backbone for Strength
Beginning in 1987 the seventh and eighth grades were discontinued, one class at a time. They were added again in 1994 because of the insistence and financial support of school parents.
Overview
For over 40 years St. Mark Parish and the school parents have played an important role in the development of St. Mark Catholic School. The importance of engaging parents in the spiritual and academic education of their children has been an integral part of the school culture and is considered one of its unique strengths.
The school continues to do an excellent job of defining what students need to learn to become successful citizens, in delivering effective instruction, in adequately assessing what students have learned…but it is in the integration of faith and values into every aspect of daily life in the school that really defines who we are and is different where it counts. Everyone in the school, from the pastor to the principal to the teachers to the cafeteria workers to the secretary to the maintenance person subscribes to teaching as Jesus did…by living the Gospel message.
We take pride in the 100% agreement on the school surveys that St. Mark is a place where student to student, student to teacher, teacher to student, student to principal, principal to teacher, and principal to student feels respected, loved and valued. There is a nurturing environment in which people feel they can succeed.
We feel that passing on traditions of our faith to the next generation is one of our strengths. What we do is as important as what we believe, for our actions give form to those beliefs. Each day in our school, students experience customs, practices, devotions, and art that make tangible the rich heritage of our faith. We consider educating for academics the easy part. Educating the soul takes much more effort and has higher reaching consequences.
We hold that responsibility, respect, and relationships are critical for developing a well-disciplined school setting. Our students learn that they have a responsibility to the common good, that respect for themselves and others is essential for learning success, and that their relationship with others is at the core of all discipline and learning. Empowering students to make good choices results in genuine growth and capability.
We consider all associated with St. Mark Catholic School as partners. Our school reaches out to those who have no church affiliation, to those of other faiths, to our own Catholics who are less than fully committed, and also to reinforce the faith lives of those who are in full communion with the church. All members are trying to do what is best for the whole. When we look upon ourselves as One Body, we are on the road to success.