St. Mark Evangelist Preschool

Deeply rooted in the history and culture of Harlem, St. Mark the Evangelist School has been educating local youth for over one hundred years. Our school was founded by Saint Katharine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament in 1912 as the first Catholic school in New York City for African-American children. A century later, St. Mark continues to carry out its original mission: “to provide a holistic education that is academically fulfilling, shaped by Catholic values, and attentive to the heritage of African-Americans.”

St. Mark the Evangelist School provides a high-quality, values-based education to 280 students in Pre-K through 8th grade. We welcome students of all faiths and backgrounds to learn together in a safe, nurturing environment. Our curriculum is based on the Common Core Learning Standards, and our teachers integrate the latest educational technology into their lessons. St. Mark also offers numerous enrichment programs that encourage students to excel in both academics and the arts.

St. Mark is home to a close-knit community of students, families, and educators and many alumni enroll their children here. Our dedicated faculty have history here as well, sharing an average tenure of ten years in our classrooms. The students of St. Mark build friendships, memories, and knowledge that last a lifetime. As one student put it, “St. Mark is a home away from home. Everyone is welcome and we treat each other like family.”

We invite you to join our family and to become a part of the St. Mark the Evangelist School tradition!