Saint Mark’s School

What Saint Mark’s School does

Saint Mark's School is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) independent Episcopal school founded in 1960, serving approximately 218 students from preschool (starting at age 2 years 9 months) through grade 6 across two academic divisions — Lower Elementary (Developmental Kindergarten through Grade 2) and Upper Elementary (Grades 3-6). Its academic program is built on the Responsive Classroom approach to pair academics with social-emotional learning, Singapore Math (Dimensions curriculum) for mathematics, Orff-Schulwerk and Kodály for music, and a 1-1 iPad program for grades 3-6 with a digital literacy and computational thinking curriculum. Enrichment spans Spanish, art, physical education, library, technology, and weekly chapel.

The school generates revenue primarily through annual tuition subscriptions ranging from $10,950 to $27,750 per student (with $500–$1,000 in registration fees), supplemented by Extended Care (before/after-school care from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM), the Saint Mark's Summer program (early-bird pricing from $660 to $2,875), and Annual Fund contributions that represent roughly 10% of the operating budget. Approximately 30% of students receive tuition assistance with average awards exceeding 50% of tuition. The Legacy Endowment (established 2015 with $2 million in contributions) provides a permanent reserve.

Saint Mark's go-to-market is direct-to-consumer and family-initiated: prospective families submit inquiries, schedule campus tours, complete applications with teacher evaluations and transcripts, participate in parent interviews, and undergo age-appropriate screenings. The school's distribution is entirely domestic (Southern California, primarily the Altadena/Pasadena corridor), supported by EF Academy and Church of Our Saviour acting as temporary campus hosts after the January 2025 Eaton Fire destroyed the original Altadena campus. The school is fully accredited by CAIS and WASC, holds NAIS membership, and is affiliated with the National Association of Episcopal Schools and St. Mark's Episcopal Church.

Name

Saint Mark’s School

Legal name

Saint Mark's School

Website

https://saint-marks.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Saint Mark's School is a nonprofit, independent Episcopal day school in Altadena, California, founded in 1960, serving approximately 218 students from preschool through grade 6 and operating from temporary campuses following the January 2025 Eaton Fire.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Elementary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based (Religious) K–12 Schools (EDAJABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Preschool Programs within Private K–12 Schools (EDACABAM), Faith-Based Before/After Care Programs (Early Years) (EDACAHAE)

Keywords

• Independent elementary school
• Episcopal education
• Private K-6 education
• Preschool program
• Elementary day school

Headquarters

HQ city

Altadena

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue stream from tuition payments for preschool through grade 6 education. Tuition ranges from $10,950-$27,750 annually plus registration fees of $500-$1,000.
2. Annual Fund: Critical fundraising initiative representing nearly 10% of total operating budget. Supports faculty salaries, benefits, professional development, campus maintenance, tuition assistance, and student support services.
3. Summer Programs: Saint Mark's Summer offers programs for preschool through 7th grade during summer months. Revenue from program fees ranging from $660-$3,150 depending on program and attendance.
4. Extended Care: Before and after school childcare program available from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM for enrolled students, generating additional revenue beyond tuition.
5. Endowment Income: Legacy Endowment established in 2015 with $2 million initial contributions. Endowment helps ensure school's ability to weather economic fluctuations and maintain strong program delivery.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Saint Mark's School is an independent, Episcopal day school delivering preschool through grade 6 education in the Pasadena/Altadena area. The school operates three academic divisions (Preschool, Lower Elementary Developmental Kindergarten-Grade 2, and Upper Elementary Grades 3-6), pairing a research-based academic curriculum with the Responsive Classroom approach to social-emotional learning. Supplementary fee-based programs include before/after-school Extended Care and Saint Mark's Summer camp.

Product overview

Saint Mark's School is an independent, Episcopal school offering a unified educational program spanning preschool through grade 6. The core academic offerings consist of three main divisions: Preschool (starting at 2 years 9 months), Lower Elementary (Developmental Kindergarten through 2nd Grade), and Upper Elementary (3rd through 6th Grade). The school pairs strong academics with social-emotional learning through the Responsive Classroom framework. Supplementary programs include Extended Care (before/after-school childcare), Saint Mark's Summer (summer camp), and a Tuition Assistance Program. All programs are designed to develop the whole child with emphasis on academic excellence, diversity, responsibility, and spiritual growth.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Saint Mark's Preschool Early childhood education program for children starting at 2 years and 9 months, focusing on social-emotional development, outdoor learning, and foundational academic skills through play-based, multi-sensory activities. Available in 3-day (M/W/F) and 5-day schedules.
• Lower Elementary (Developmental Kindergarten - Grade 2) Early elementary program covering Developmental Kindergarten through 2nd grade, balancing core curricular subjects (literacy, mathematics, writing) with enrichment opportunities including Spanish, technology, music, art, library, and physical education.
• Upper Elementary (Grades 3-6) Upper elementary program for grades 3-6 with departmentalized approach in grades 5-6, emphasizing inquiry-based curriculum, problem solving, critical thinking, and preparation for middle school through humanities, mathematics, science, and enrichment classes. Includes a 1-1 iPad program for every student in grades 3-6.
• Extended Care Program Before and after-school childcare program available from 7:30 a.m. until school start and from dismissal until 6:00 p.m., featuring free play, organized games, sports, art, reading time, and study hall for currently enrolled students.
• Saint Mark's Summer Summer camp program for preschool through 7th grade offering themed activities, field trips, arts, sports, science, and enrichment activities across multiple sessions in June and July. Program fees range from $660-$3,150 depending on program length and attendance options.
• Tuition Assistance Program Financial aid program providing grants ranging from $1,000 to nearly full tuition, currently supporting approximately 30% of students with average awards covering over 50% of tuition costs. Administered via the Clarity tuition assistance application platform.

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CannonDesigncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Lead architecture firm for campus rebuild master planning process. Collaborated on book 'Campus as a Third Teacher.' Focuses on educational campus design.
• SynchroniscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Architecture firm focused on church design for rebuild project. Previously designed Church of Our Saviour where preschool is temporarily housed.
• EF AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Historic partnership following Eaton Fire destruction; provides temporary campus for Saint Mark's Village School (DK-Grade 6). Described as 'historic partnership forged in fire.'
• Church of Our SaviourcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Provides temporary campus location for preschool program following campus destruction in January 2025 Eaton Fire.
• Ste. Marguerite School (Haiti)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Partnership with Ste. Marguerite school in La Tournelle, Haiti established in 2011 following the 2010 earthquake. Saint Mark's students lead fundraising through Student Leadership Council and sixth grade. Programs include Hike for Haiti (supports hot lunch for 150 students), Gospel Choir (benefits teacher salaries).
• ChoicelunchminorOthersThird-party hot lunch service provider for students in developmental kindergarten through 6th grade.
• Parker-AndersonminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvider of after-school enrichment classes including dance, Mandarin, coding, and more offered on campus after regular school hours.
• St. Mark's Episcopal ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClose partnership with St. Mark's Church for joint operations, chapel programs, community events, and Haiti partnership. Church vestry members serve on Board of Trustees.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Westridge School: Westridge is an independent girls day school (grades 4-12) in Pasadena with a similar progressive, college-preparatory mission and a documented history of accepting Saint Mark's graduates. Comparable in geographic market, academic positioning, and family demographics.
• Polytechnic School: Polytechnic is an independent K-12 day school in Pasadena with a long-established reputation and similar college-preparatory mission. It directly competes for college-prep-minded families in the same corridor and accepts Saint Mark's graduates as documented feeders.
• Chandler School: Chandler is an independent K-8 day school in Pasadena with similar scale and a comparable progressive, values-driven curriculum. It competes for the same Pasadena-area families and is one of Saint Mark's documented middle school matriculation destinations.
• Campbell Hall Episcopal School: Campbell Hall is a K-12 Episcopal day school in North Hollywood serving the greater LA area. It is the most direct peer: same Episcopal identity, same independent school model, overlapping feeder geography, and a documented matriculation destination for Saint Mark's graduates.
• Episcopal School of Los Angeles: ESLA is an Episcopal school in LA sharing Saint Mark's faith-based identity, weekly chapel programming, and values-driven mission. It is also a documented matriculation destination for Saint Mark's graduates and a comparable Episcopal day school in the same regional market.
• Harvard-Westlake School: Harvard-Westlake is a large independent 7-12 school in the LA area and is a top documented matriculation destination for Saint Mark's graduates. While it does not compete directly for PK-6 enrollment, it competes for the same college-prep family segment and is a benchmark for selective admissions outcomes.
• Flintridge Preparatory School: Flintridge Prep is an independent 7-12 school in La Cañada Flintridge, immediately adjacent to Saint Mark's Pasadena/Altadena market. It is a documented matriculation destination for Saint Mark's graduates and competes for the same college-prep-oriented families.
• Mayfield Junior School: Mayfield Junior is a Catholic K-8 school in Pasadena with similar scale (~250 students), values-based identity, and a tradition of preparing students for selective secondary schools. Comparable in mission, religious affiliation, and feeder-school positioning to Saint Mark's.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC85IjJBN2uH-66Vta00o7XQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/St.Marks.School.Altadena
• Instagraminstagram.com/saint_marks_school_altadena

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Saint Mark’s School