St Mark Elementary School

399 Woodward Avenue

Buffalo, NY 14214

12 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-8
Type

private

Find Homes for Sale in this School Zone

Reviews

Submitted by teacher on January 10, 2025

Was excited to teach at a new school this year but it quickly started off on a negative vibe since the Principal who hired me was forced out (with no clear explanation) right before the start of the new year. It was nice not to have long tedious training before school started (like most other schools have), but it seemed like I was thrown into a position set up to fail because of a lack of communication and structure. The school had poor resources to teach science. The school only wanted every teacher to "teach to the test" even though they did not admit it. This is a failing philosophy. Instead of teaching boring content that students were not interested in, I created more hands-on experiments, videos, and simulations which the students loved! I still followed all the standards, but the school failed to see this. I taught each student how to use the Scientific Method and think like a scientist. Something, teaching to the test never does.Once the parents and students got the news that I was gone, they sent me many emails and messages that they were in shock and that I was the best science teacher their student(s) ever had. In the end, it is about the students and not all the red tape that admin. seems to try and push. This is why so many people are leaving the teaching field!
Submitted by parent on December 29, 2024

We have been part of the St. Mark community for 7 years with 2 children attending. It is an excellent school and community. We really appreciate the clubs offerings and the quality of teachers and administration.
Submitted by parent on April 05, 2022

I went here as a child and had th most wonderful experience. I learned more here than I learned in my private high-school and an now a successful member of society.
Submitted by parent on February 04, 2017

This school was not a positive experience, it was a toxic environment for me. I barely graduated, entering high school I questioned whether I would ever graduate because I had such a terrible time at this school. The teachers were not kind to me. Now i am out of high school and I graduated with first honors with a 96 average. The SMK middle school teachers are unkind, nasty, and talk about private information that has to do with students in front of other kids. I would NEVER recommend this school to anyone.
Submitted by parent on November 30, 2012

As a new parent to the school i must say i not very happy with this school.The staff in the office are very rude and the way they talk to the students is unreal.Someone needs to do something about this matter.Very clicky school not welcoming at all.
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2012

We LOVE St. Mark School! We now have two children enrolled and couldn't be happier. This is the principal's second year and the changes we have seen have all been positive. The teachers and staff are very kind and the overall sense of community within the school is wonderful. We feel our kids are getting an excellent education and we would highly recommend this school to others.
Submitted by other on September 09, 2012

All of the reviews BEFORE the new principal were very positive, and the reviews for the school NOW are not good; there are very valid reasons for that. If the new principal does not change her style it is my belief she will be gone within a year or two.
Submitted by parent on July 01, 2012

My daughter just finished first grade and we love it at St. Marks. The new principal is changing things yes but not for the worse. She knows what needs to be addressesd and she is doing it. She does not seem shy about her goals for the school. I believe my little girl is getting a great education. We are becomeing apart of the church com. as well and the families involved with the church and the school are so nice and welcomeing. However as we all know if you stand on the side of any activity people are not going to beg you to participate. My husband and I LOVE it there and I dred the thought of leaving. Also the parents have never been allowed in the building at the start of the school day as far as I know. I believe it is for space and independance reasons.. First week of kindergarden you may walk them in. Each room has opps. for parents to help out and become room parents. There are so may ways to become involved with St. Marks.
Submitted by parent on March 20, 2012

I would not recommend st. Marks school. It is not the same as it was in the past. The new principal rules the school in a very militant way. Parents are not welcome in the building. The teachers are no longer friendly and nurturing. The principal has changed the whole culture and focus of the school. She runs it like a public school. Religion is not being taught . The mission of catholic education is not felt here at all. The focus is on state test scores not the children. The curriculum is not being followed. They waste valuable time teaching to the test! It is such an unchristian environment with less than mediocre teaching. What a shame. This school went from exceptional to very poor in less than a year. It is so bad that I pulled my child out 3 months before the end of the year. We couldn't stand it any longer. St. Marks no longer is standing up to its reputation.
Submitted by parent on July 11, 2011

St. Mark's is a great school academically. My daughter has been there for six years and does exceptionally well. The past few years has been challenging because teaching staff has changed often, classroom size has become overwhelming and there has been some obvious mistreatment to some students by staff and other students. St. Mark's was once a school that believed all children were equal and should be treated fairly. I'm not so sure anymore.
Submitted by parent on May 08, 2010

My son is in the second grade and we are not pleased, so this will be his last year. They are too strict ,the kids are punished as a whole class for the bad behavior of just a few,and this is happening all too often. Now he doesn't even want to go to school. . Teacher has no patience and needs to not be a teacher anymore. Community as a whole is very clicky also. Whether or not you like this school depends on who you are here,not on your child.
Submitted by parent on October 02, 2008

N/A