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 Katherine Drexel in 1912 as the first Catholic school in New York City for African-American children. A century later, St. Mark's 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. St. Mark's also offers numerous enrichment programs that encourage students to excel in both academics and the arts.
In 2013, Saint Mark joined a network of six Catholic elementary schools in Harlem and the South Bronx being managed by the Partnership for Inner City Education under a unique agreement with the Archdiocese of New York.