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Rowland Hall St Marks School

School Overview:

School Notes:

• Type: Coeducational day college-preparatory school (Independent School)
• Grades: PreK-12; Preschool, two-year-olds through kindergarten; Lower School, 1-5; Middle School, 6-8; Upper School, 9-12
• RHSM is accredited by the Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools, the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, and The National Association for the Education of Young Children, and the Utah Department of Education. The School is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools, the Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools, the National Association of Episcopal Schools, and the Utah High School Activities Association.
• Rowland Hall-St. Mark’s School is governed by a self-perpetuating Board of Trustees. The School’s 2007-2008 operating budget is $15.5 million. The endowment is approximately $2.9 million. An active Annual Giving program is supported by 99 percent of the faculty, better than 70 percent of the school’s current parents and by many of the School’s grandparents, parents of former students, and alumni.
• Rowland Hall-St. Mark’s builds its curriculum around a solid core of academic courses and an array of elective and specialty choices. Class size averages 14, the students-teacher ratio is 10:1.
• Requirements for graduation are as follows: four years of English; three years of mathematics (two years above Algebra I); three years of social studies; two years of laboratory science (one life science, one physical science); two years of one foreign language (Spanish, Latin, or French), four trimesters of fine arts; two trimesters of health; one trimester of computer science; one trimester of world religions; one trimester of ethics, one trimester of an activity (e.g., debate, yearbook); two and two-thirds years physical education. Minimum total credits for graduation: 24.
• Students must be computer literate to graduate. Beginning in kindergarten, computers are regularly used in all core curriculum areas as well as art, music, chess, and other specialty and elective classes.
• A major financial commitment by the RHSM’s parent body, beginning in 1995, resulted in the availability of state-of-the-art computer hardware and software for all RHSM students, faculty and administration.
• Computers are available for student use in computer centers, classrooms and libraries.
• RHSM’s high school is a laptop school with all faculty and students working together on Apple laptop computers.
• RHSM’s Beginning School is a fertile learning ground and builds a strong foundation for the elementary years. Lower School students concentrate on an integrated curriculum in reading, mathematics, science, the arts, social studies, and world cultures.
• RHSM takes a balanced approach to literacy in its first and second grade reading and writing curriculum. Language arts curriculum used through the elementary years, reinforces basic reading and writing skills, bolsters proficiency in written and oral communication, and continues to make the most of the campus’ literature-rich environment.
• Specialty and elective classes enrich the core curriculum through music, drama, the visual arts, chess, computer science, science, environmental activities, and community service projects.
• During the exciting years of early adolescence, Middle School students at Rowland Hall-St. Mark’s are fortunate to have programs specifically designed to meet their changing needs and developing talents. With courses in language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, computers, and foreign languages, students benefit from small, lively classes with high academic expectations. Close support is offered through our advisory program.
• The Upper School mixes a challenging academic schedule with sports, the arts, community service, and social activities. RHSM students achieve a solid academic grounding through a strong liberal arts curriculum with numerous electives and are well prepared for entrance into selective colleges and universities across the country. Approximately 90 percent of the high school student body enrolls in advanced placement classes, and historically, all of our graduating seniors enter college.
• Upper School subjects offered: algebra, American history, American literature, art history, band, biology, calculus, ceramics, chemistry, chorus, computer graphics, computer science, creative writing, dance, debate, economics, English, English literature, environmental science, ethics, European history, French, geology, geometry, health, history, journalism, Latin, math applications, music theory, photography, physical education, physics, political science, psychology, Spanish, statistics, studio art, sustainability, theater/drama, trigonometry, world history, and world religion.
• Advanced Placement preparation in 17 test areas, honors sections, independent study, study at local colleges for college credit, and study abroad are all available.
• Parent conferences are scheduled twice a year, and parents are encouraged to confer with teachers at other times as well.
• Of the 111 faculty members, 82 are full-time. 45 hold master’s degrees and 6 hold doctorates. Upper School total full-time faculty is 29.
• Alan C. Sparrow was appointed headmaster of Rowland Hall-St. Mark’s in 1992. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University and a master’s of arts and a master’s of science from the University of Rochester.
• In addition to teaching duties, faculty members serve as athletic coaches, and each teacher acts as an adviser to approximately 10 students. RHSM has made a significant financial commitment to support faculty continuing education and professional development.
• COLLEGE PLACEMENT- Seventy-one students graduated in 2007 and all plan to attend college. Institutions enrolling more than one member of the Class of 2007 include Brown University, Dartmouth College, Pomona College, Westminster College, Whitman College, Southern Methodist University, University of San Diego, University of Southern California, University of Utah, and University of Wisconsin.
• Three graduates of the Class of 2007 were National Merit Scholarship Program winners.
• The middle 50% SAT Critical Reading score ranges for the class of 2007 was 560-660. The middle 50% SAT Math score ranges for the class of 2007 was 530-670. The middle 50% SAT Writing for the class of 2007 was 560-670. The middle 50% ACT Composite score ranges for the past three years were 23-29. The average GPA for members of the Class of 2007 was 3.6.
• For over 121 years, RHSM’s historic, two-acre downtown Salt Lake City Avenues campus housed the school’s youngest students through grade five.
• In December 2002, RHSM’s preschool and lower school moved to a new nine-acre campus on the east side of Salt Lake City. The new Beginning School facility, the two-story Lower School/administrative building, the chapel, the library, the gymnasium and the dining hall/fine arts building -- surrounded by courtyards and green fields, gardens and playgrounds –creates a residential, rather than an institutional, educational environment for our youngest students. The new gymnasium comfortably accommodates home basketball games and large non-athletic events. A “regulation” sized basketball court with additional room for bleachers to seat over 400, plus boys’ and girls’ locker rooms make the gym an ideal setting for Middle and Upper School practices and games. Lower School students use this facility for daily, year-round physical education classes.
• The Middle School and Upper School are located on the Lincoln Street Campus, approximately .25 mile from the McCarthey Campus on Guardsman Way. Sixth through eighth graders enjoy the light and spacious environment of a new Middle School completed in 1994. It adjoins the Upper School facility, formerly a public junior high school, acquired and renovated in the 1980s.
• A state-of-the-art performance and assembly center, the Larimer Center for the Performing Arts, was built on the Lincoln Street campus in 1992. Science, math, and computer labs contain the latest available innovations in computer hardware and software. A library, gymnasium, playing fields, computer labs, and fine arts studios offer Middle and Upper School students many learning opportunities outside the classroom.
• Physical Education classes and activities throughout all grades stress the importance of lifetime fitness and taking responsibility for healthy life choices.
• RHSM, a member of Region XIV of the Utah High School Activities Association.
• The School has an Athletic Director, an Assistant Athletic Director, 4 full-time PE instructors, 12 full-time coaches, 23 part-time coaches, and 2 part-time sport trainers.
• Established in 1982, Rowmark Ski Academy is one of the country’s top ski racing programs for young, elite alpine ski racers. Approximately 25 high school-aged student/athletes from around the U.S. and other countries participate in rigorous ski training and RHSM course work for a diploma. Students from out-of-town live with host families. Todd Brickson is the director. For more information, see the Academy’s web site at www.rowmark.org.
• Students are encouraged to participate in the School’s rich array of extracurricular activities each year. At the Lower School opportunities for enrichment in the visual arts, music, drama, cooking, science, community service, athletics, journalism, computer science, and chess are offered through the Extended Day Program.
• In the Middle School, students may choose to join the yearbook staff, participate in Dance Company, debate, mock trial, chorus, band, Mathcounts, the newspaper staff, literary magazine, and intramural and interscholastic athletic teams.
• In the Upper School, student government is an important part of the extracurricular program. The Student Council serves as a channel for school communication, a voice in decision-making, and a sponsor of social activities and community service. RHSM Upper School students may also become involved in National Honor Society, Rotary Interact Club, Pep Club, Dance Company, Amnesty International, the yearbook or newspaper staff, jazz band, debate team, the Spanish, French, Latin Clubs, Community Service Council, or the literary magazine staff.
• Students in Beginning School full-day programs and Lower School grades begin their school day at 8:30 a.m. and classes end at 3:15 p.m. Middle School students begin their day at 8:15 a.m. and are released at 3:30 p.m. Several extracurricular activities are planned beginning at 7:30 a.m. before class and after the school day ends.
• Upper School period 1 starts at 8:25 a.m. and classes continue through 3:40 p.m. There are six 45-minute academic periods and one 70-minute block at the end of each school day set aside for competitive athletic teams practices and games, performing arts and fine arts classes, and other student activity classes. Each morning there is a 20-minute period for assemblies, advisory, or class meetings. Athletic team practices and fine arts rehearsals also take place after school.
• SUMMER PROGRAMS-RHSM established a summer program in 1983. Academic courses (remediation, enrichment, advancement), sports, computer instruction programs are offered and held on the Lincoln Street campus for RHSM Upper School students and high school students from other schools. Approximately 40 students enroll. An additional fee is charged for Summer School programs. RHSM also conducts a summer day camp, SummerWorks, for children of preschool and elementary school ages.
• Profile last updated: 02/14/2008

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