CareCompass
St Mark's Episcopal Day School
At a Glance
Trust Score
Based on comprehensive analysis of reviews, safety records, and operations.
About St Mark's Episcopal Day School
Play-Based Learning in Barton Hills
St. Mark’s Episcopal Day School has been a cornerstone of the Barton Hills community since 1963. The program emphasizes a play-based curriculum where children aged 18 months through Pre-K learn through hands-on exploration. Set against the backdrop of the Barton Creek Greenbelt, the campus features a renowned nature-integrated playground equipped with a signature pirate ship, mud kitchen, and water play stations, fostering a deep connection to the outdoors. The school focuses on the whole child, blending academic readiness with social-emotional and spiritual growth. With low student-teacher ratios starting at 10:2 for toddlers and reaching 15:2 for Pre-K, children receive individualized attention. The dedicated staff includes many long-tenured members with over 20 years of experience. Enrichment programs in music, art, Spanish, and yoga further enhance the daily experience, ensuring children are well-prepared for a confident transition to kindergarten.
What Parents Say
5 reviews from parents
St. Mark's is such a gem! We spent 5 years there with our kids (3 years each with one year overlap) and if I could give it 100 stars I would! The teachers are all wonderful and so loving, the playground is heaven, and their play based learning method was so perfect for us. Our boys spent a ton of time outside which we loved, hot/cold/wet didn't matter they made it outside for the most part! It has an amazing community as well where we met so many of our adult friends! And, our kids were very ready for kinder when it was time. Highly recommend!
St Mark's is absolutely wonderful! The staff is the best and the playground is magical. My boys loved their time there and still talk about it. The parent community is also fantastic - Highly recommend.
Both of our boys loved St. Mark's! The teachers and administrators were so warm and welcoming which made the transition into pre-school so easy. The large, shaded playground under the trees is magical. Highly recommend this sweet school!
St. Mark's is such a special place! Amazing teachers and staff that love kids and do a fantastic job preparing them for Kindergarten. Wonderful parent community as well!
We absolutely love this preschool! We have sent two children through St Mark’s and are bummed to have ‘graduated!’ My daughter still asks to go back quite often. The teachers are so kind and genuinely care about the kids. The playground is incredible; my child would come home every day talking about the adventures they had outside. It’s the kind of place where kids can really learn, grow, and just be kids. We feel so lucky to be part of this community!
Web Report
Aggregated insights from public records & parent discussions
Safety Record
No safety concerns, news of incidents, or legal issues were found for St. Mark's Episcopal Day School in Austin. The facility is a state-licensed child care center (Operation #201726) with a capacity of 105 children and is accredited by the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools (SAES). No specific state licensing violations or BBB complaints were identified in public records or news searches.
Parent Reputation
The school maintains a highly positive reputation among parents, frequently receiving 5-star ratings on platforms like Niche and Poyst. Common themes in reviews include a strong sense of community, a 'magical' nature-based playground, and successful preparation for kindergarten. Parents specifically highlight the nurturing environment and the dedication of the long-tenured teaching staff.
Staff Insights
Employee feedback is limited and mixed; a review from a Lead Preschool Teacher in Austin (August 2025) described an 'internal nightmare' with low morale and a culture where staff primarily socialize. However, other institutional reports indicate that some faculty members have been with the school for 3 to 23 years, suggesting significant longevity for a segment of the staff.
Quick Information
Varies by age and schedule
