Accreditations / Awards
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Accreditations
St. Mark Catholic School is accredited by the Texas Catholic Conference Education Department, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and Cognia. The Diocese of Dallas Office of Education, in compliance with the Texas Education Agency, designs the curriculum. The official document of accreditation is posted in the school office.
Awards
U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon: St. Mark Catholic School is a two-time recipient of the U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon award, first in 1992 and again in 2007. St. Mark qualified to apply for a rare third Blue Ribbon award in 2015. The National Blue Ribbon Schools award honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students perform at very high levels. Private schools are recognized as “Exemplary High Performing” if their student achievement in English and Mathematics is among the highest in the country (top 15%), measured by nationally normed tests. A maximum of only 50 private schools nationwide may be nominated each year, and schools may only apply every five years. Learn more about the U.S. Department of Education's National Blue Ribbon Schools program at http://www.ed.gov/nationalblueribbonschools.
In 2018, St. Mark Catholic School was named 1 of 3 nationwide finalists in the Today’s Catholic Teacher “Innovations in Catholic Education" (ICE) Awards in the category of "An Innovative Project Facilitated by Technology" for the integration of the SmartLab into the curriculum, and received special recognition at the ICE Awards event at the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio. Contestants included elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools across the country.
Best of the Best Award: Readers of The Plano Star Courier voted St. Mark one of the "Best of the Best" private schools in 2016.
Diocese of Dallas HALO Educator of the Year Award:
This award honors the top teachers within the Diocese of Dallas who exemplify the Gospel values that Jesus gave us and integrates them with an academically excellent curriculum for students.
2022 - Cathy Pantuso (7th/8th grade Science) - Honorable Mention
2020 - Kristen Young (Transitional Kindergarten)
2017 - Helene Mercado (4th grade teacher)
2016 - Carolyn Eisele (2nd grade teacher)
The Monsignor John Meyers Distinguished Principal Award:
Honors the Principal within the Diocese of Dallas that most exemplifies servant leadership by understanding that education demands a Christian vision of what the human person is called to be and providing the opportunity for every child to develop his/her full potential.
2012 - Suzanne Bacot
NCEA Distinguished Pastor Award:
Presented by the NCEA (National Catholic Educational Association), this award honors pastors who have given outstanding support to Catholic elementary education.
2013 - Father Clifford Smith, St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church
St. Mark Teacher of the Year:
Nominated by peers, the St. Mark Teacher of the Year is the personification of the school mission statement, "To educate each student in a spirit of faith, gospel values and academic excellence according to Roman Catholic principles." Each year's winner is eligible to compete for the Diocese of Dallas HALO Educator of the Year Award.
2021-22 - Cathy Pantuso (7th/8th grade Science Teacher)
2020-21 -Sarah Salvia (6th grade teacher)
2019-20 - Kristen Young (Transitional Kindergarten Teacher)
2018-19 - Sharon Thompson (Kindergarten teacher)
2017-18 - Vicki Crider (2nd grade teacher)
2016-17 - Helene Mercado (4th grade teacher)
2015-16 - Carolyn Eisele (2nd grade teacher)
2014 - Dr. Tara Blankenship (Kindergarten teacher)
2013 - Kristen Hemmig (Transitional Kindergarten teacher)
2012 - Pam Steinkirchner (3rd grade teacher)
Bishop's Award for Service to the Church:
This award, presented by the Bishop of Dallas, recognizes the great work and true sacrifice made by lay men and women in the Diocese of Dallas. Nominated by their pastor, parish administrator or diocesan staff member, recipients of this award are practicing Catholics, exemplary volunteers, and are known for their public witness to the Catholic faith.
2016 - Ann Rossigno (school parent)
2015 - Claudine Humphries (school parent)
Presented by The Catholic Foundation, Work of Heart awards honor those who "go the extra mile" in serving our educational community. For more information about the Work of Heart award, or to nominate a staff or faculty member, please visit the Work of Heart web page.
60 St. Mark faculty and staff members have received the Work of Heart Award since its inception in 2005. For a complete list of recipients, click here.
Recent " Work of Heart" Award Winners:
2022:
Rosemary Coursey (Preschool Teacher)
Bryanna Robinson (Preschool Teacher)
Anne Hollenbeck (Technology)
Sarah Salvia (6th Grade Teacher)
2021:
Patty Corsi (Music Teacher)
Sharon Thompson (Kindergarten Teacher)
2020:
Tiffany Duncan (Preschool Teacher)
Carolyn Eisele (4th Grade Teacher)
Greg Michniak (Middle School Literature Teacher)
2019:
Amy Garrison (Resource Teacher)
Jose Arteaga (Facility Manager)
Cindy Tronzano (5th Grade Teacher)
2018:
Liliana Benavides (Spanish Teacher)
Erica Rivera (Middle School Math Teacher)
Sarah Samples (4th Grade Teacher)
Barbara Ehnis (3rd Grade Teacher)
Carole Mitchell (Middle School Social Studies)
In 2016, St. Mark Catholic School became one of only a few schools in the State of Texas to be recognized as a Common Sense Digital Citizenship Certified School by Common Sense Media. To earn this distinction, St. Mark implemented a detailed program provided by Common Sense Media and achieved various benchmarks to meet the certification criteria. The purpose of this program is to equip students with the skills they need to be responsible online citizens. St. Mark has committed to teach students to navigate the behavioral and social issues that stem from students' online lives, and continues to earn re-certification annually. For more information, visit www.commonsense.org.